Paralegal

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Legal Assistants and Paralegals in Law Firms (4211.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Paralegal and Related Occupations (E211) 
• 2011 NOC: Paralegal and related occupations (4211) 

Under the direction and supervision of one or more lawyers, paralegals may:

• draft legal documents such as pleadings, wills, real estate documents, interlocutory applications and corporate documents
• draft and follow up on correspondence
• submit documents for registration with appropriate agencies (for example, Corporate Registry, Land Titles, Provincial Court)
• conduct tax, land title and other legal searches
• assist with real estate, mortgage, estate administration, corporate, tax and intellectual property transactions
• assist in various aspects of personal injury litigation, civil litigation and family law
• organize documents, as well as create and maintain file management and storage systems
• attend pre-trial and trial proceedings to assist lawyers with document management and retrieval
• assist in preparation for and, in some cases, attend business transaction closings
• interview witnesses and assemble documentary evidence for trials
• act as a liaison between clients and lawyers when lawyers are unavailable
• develop office procedures and computer functions to improve efficiency
• perform related administrative functions (for example, take meeting minutes).

Some paralegals may specialize in specific areas, such as corporate law, litigation, securities, trademarks and patents, reals estate, environmental law, immigration, family law, bankruptcy, entertainment law or intellectual property law.

Paralegals work in an office environment. They usually work a standard work week but must be prepared to work overtime to meet deadlines.

Paralegals need to possess:

• excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• the ability to think logically and analyze information
• the ability to organize work and co-ordinate other people's activities
• the ability to pay careful attention to details
• the ability to handle deadlines and periods of stress
• the ability to work with a minimum of supervision.

Since much of their work concerns clients' private affairs, paralegals must be honest, trustworthy and have a sense of responsibility and respect for the confidentiality of client information.

They should enjoy compiling information, working with people and exploring things in depth.

Paralegals work under the supervision of lawyers in law firms, in court systems and in the legal departments of large organizations. Graduates of legal assistant paralegal education programs usually are hired as legal assistants. Full paralegal status and responsibility usually requires additional work experience.

Advancement opportunities are limited in this occupation. However, with considerable experience (for example, a minimum of 5 years and a paralegal diploma), paralegals may work independently rather than under the direction and supervision of one or more lawyers. In such positions, they may assist with routine legal services (for example, providing assistance to self-represented litigants or working as independent consultants to law firms) but cannot give legal advice.

Paralegals are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4211: Paralegal and related occupations. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook (PDF) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions)
• size of the occupation.

Over 6,400 Albertans are employed in the Paralegal and other related occupations occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 96 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As paralegals form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for paralegals.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals (AAPP) website: alberta-paralegal.com

Legal Education Society of Alberta (LESA) website: www.lesaonline.org

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.