Depending upon the agency or area of practice, government paralegals perform a wide range of duties, including collecting and evaluating evidence, conducting hearings, drafting proposed legislation, and answering inquires about federal laws and regulations. An employment law paralegal can draft employee policy and procedures manuals, help facilitate positions in organized labor campaigns, prepare position papers, complaints and affidavits in discrimination cases, and perform work similar to litigation paralegals. Paralegals in legal services programs work as counselors or advocates. They may obtain government benefits for clients. They often maintain their own caseloads and have total responsibility from the initial client interview through client representation at various administrative agency proceedings.
Paralegal salaries vary.
Salaries depend on the education and experience the paralegal brings to the job, the type of employer, and the geographic location of the job. Generally, paralegals working for large law firms in metropolitan areas earn more than paralegals working for smaller firms or in less populated areas. Employers of the majority of paralegals provide life and health insurance benefits and pay the paralegal's professional dues. As the quality of paralegal education programs continues to improve and employers continue to require formal training, the salaries of paralegals should continue to increase. For more information about the paralegal profession check out the following publications Directory of Paralegal Education Programs Lists educational institutions offering paralegal training, including addresses and phone numbers.