Paralegal and Related Occupations
NOC: 4211
Description
Legal assistants and paralegals prepare legal documents, maintain records and files and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the limitations of their appointment. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Legal assistants and paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed.
| Essential Skill | Level Required | Example Task |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Text | 1 to 4 | Reads reminders and notes from clients, co-workers, etc. (1) |
| Reads letters, e-mail messages and memos about a range of matters (2) | ||
| Reads text in entry forms, trial records, transcripts, policies, procedures, newsletters and trades magazines (3) | ||
| Reads legal and trial beliefs, legislation and regulations, case law and rulings (4) | ||
| Document Use | 2 to 3 | Locates data in forms and enters data into tables (2) |
| Enters data into forms, interprets graphs, locates data in tables, drawings and maps. Examines organizational and process flowcharts (3) | ||
| Writing | 1 to 4 | Writes reminders and meeting notes for personal use (1) |
| Writes e-mail messages and letters (2) | ||
| Writes entries in forms, reports and summaries (3) | ||
| Writes letters of agreement, contacts and legal reports (4) | ||
| *Numeracy | 2 to 3 | Calculates expense claim amounts (2) |
| Prepares invoices and statements of accounts. Manages trust and bank accounts (3) | ||
| Oral Communication | 2 to 4 | Gives directions to workers that they supervise and discuss on-going work (2) |
| Discusses the law and provides advice to clients about legal matters (3) | ||
| Presents cases before lower courts, selected boards, tribunals and other administrative bodies (4) | ||
| Computer Use | 2 to 3 | Uses word processors and databases (2) |
| Uses spreadsheets, communication software and internet (3) | ||
| Thinking Skills | 2 to 3 | Chooses job tasks for junior paralegals and office workers (2) |
| Chooses matters to investigate in preparation for legal proceedings (3) | ||
| Thinking Skills - Problem Solving | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Decision Making | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Critical Thinking | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Job Task Planning and Organizing | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Significant Use of Memory | Data currently being updated | |
| Thinking Skills - Finding Information | Data currently being updated | |
| Working with Others | N/A | Needs to increase interactions and coordination of tasks |
| Continuous Learning | 4 | Maintains current knowledge on legislation, rules, regulations, standards, practices and procedures (4) |
| Other Aspects | Physical | Is able to sit and stand for long periods of time. |
| Is patient, flexible and non-judgmental. | ||
| Increases computer skills as technology progresses. | ||
**Thinking Skills include: Problem Solving, Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Job Task Planning and Organizing, Significant Use of Memory, and Finding Information.
View the external profile (new window) Source: HRSDC
Average Salary: 17
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca
To Be successful in this position, a person may need:
Literacy & Basic Skills, Grade 12, College/Apprenticeship
Source: HRSDC
Most Important Skills:
Age Profiles
| Age Bracket | Age Profile |
|---|---|
| 15 to 24 | 55 |
| 25 to 44 | 155 |
| 45 to 64 | 60 |
| 65 plus | 15 |
Employment Trends
Information not available at this time
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.caTop Occupational Areas
| Sector | Number Employed in Niagara | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 Professional, scientific and technical services | 270 | 96.43% | |
| 71 Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 3.57% | |
| - | - | 0.00% | |
Related Occupations
Articling students, Quebec notaries and trademark lawyers (in 4112 Lawyers and Quebec Notaries), Legal Secretaries (1242), Patent agents (in 4161 Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers)
Source: http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca
