What Is a Remote Paralegal Career?
A remote paralegal career means working as a paralegal from an off-site location. This can be in your home, a co-working space, or even the beach. There’s little to no need to report in person to a brick-and-mortar office during workdays.
However, remote legal assistant roles are the same as in-person paralegal roles. The main difference is that remote paralegals use more technology in their work. These include video conferencing, legal software, and file-sharing platforms, among others.
As previously stated, remote paralegals perform these key responsibilities:
- Legal research. Paralegals perform in-depth research on relevant laws, rules and regulations, and legal precedents.
- Document preparation. Paralegals make drafts of legal documents that lawyers can then review. Pleadings, contracts, and affidavits, as well as correspondence are common.
- Management of client communication. Paralegals communicate with clients, witnesses, and other third parties. These are done through phone calls, emails, and video conferences.
- Virtual support for lawyers. Paralegals provide attorneys with a wide range of virtual support services, too. These include case preparation, schedule management, and electronic case file management.
Virtual paralegal jobs are on the rise mainly because of technology advancements. Employers also prefer remote paralegals because of better cost efficiency and talent access.
On your part, you’ll love that being a remote paralegal means more work-life balance. You’re more in control of your workload and schedule.
Related:
- Will AI Replace Paralegals or Legal Assistants?
- Best Affordable AI Training and Certificates for Paralegals
- Most Affordable Online Paralegal Degree Programs
- 14 Cheapest ABA Approved Online Paralegal Programs
- What Is the Difference Between a Paralegal and Legal Document Assistant?
Education and Certification Requirements for Remote Paralegals
Here are the first steps that you should take to start your remote paralegal career.
Educational Pathways
Earn either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field. Related fields include political science, criminal justice, and legal studies. But it’s best if you can earn an undergraduate degree in paralegal studies for a solid foundation.
If you want to test the waters first or you’re looking for a cost-effective education, an associate degree is an excellent choice. Afterward, you can earn a bachelor’s degree. You’ll gain more depth and breadth in education, including specialization opportunities.
Be sure to consider online paralegal degree programs, too. Their affordability, flexibility, and quality will work in your favor. Check for accreditation for these programs, too. Besides regional accreditation, check for American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation, too.
Paralegal Certification
Paralegal certifications for remote jobs aren’t mandatory but recommended. Professional certification can boost your job prospects because of these:
- Enhance your credibility as a paralegal
- Demand continuing education
Check out these notable paralegal certifications.
- NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP), a national certification that employers recognize for its strict eligibility requirements
- NFPA’s Registered Paralegal (RP), a more advanced advanced certification for paralegals seeking leadership roles
- AAPI’s certification is for paralegals with at least five years experience
Skills Development
Beyond education for virtual paralegal careers, seek to develop essential skills as a remote paralegal, too.
- Time management skills are a must to manage a wide range of tasks.
- Communication skills are essential, too, because of the diverse people you’ll be dealing with.
- Technology skills are vital since you’ll use digital tools and platforms in all your tasks.
When you have a strong foundation, you can start your virtual paralegal career in the right direction.
Gaining Experience and Building Your Portfolio
The next challenge is gaining experience as a remote paralegal – and it’s a challenge, indeed. How you present yourself in your portfolio can make or break your career, so deliberate decisions are a must.
Entry-Level Opportunities
Start by grabbing entry-level opportunities that come your way. But also be discerning about your choices by aligning them with your goals.
- In-person and virtual paralegal internships provide excellent hands-on learning opportunities. Law firms, government agencies, as well as corporate legal departments offer them.
- Freelance projects are great opportunities to build your portfolio and skills. These are usually for specific tasks over a short-term period.
- Paid entry-level positions provide on-the-job training opportunities that boost your resume.
Remote Internship Options
We recommend remote paralegal internships because of their flexibility and convenience. You can work with lawyers from across the country. Plus, you’ll learn about digital technologies and develop the skills for your future virtual career.
Building a Professional Portfolio
Yet another challenge is building a paralegal portfolio that will attract clients. You must showcase your experience, accomplishments, and skills in it.
- Include specific examples of legal research you’ve completed
- Highlight the legal documents, including case summaries you’ve worked on
Be sure to redact sensitive information and ask permission from your employers/clients. You must present a professional, clean, and organized portfolio, too. Update your portfolio as your work experience expands. Your LinkedIn profile must highlight it, too.
Networking
The larger your network, the more jobs you can find. Joining paralegal forums and LinkedIn groups. Attend in-person and virtual legal conferences and workshops, too.
Finding Remote Paralegal Job Opportunities
There’s stiff competition for remote paralegal jobs. Use these strategies to increase your job prospects.
Legal Job Boards and Platforms
Take advantage of dedicated remote paralegal job boards including:
- ParalegalJobBoard.com
- LawCrossing
- LegalStaff.com
Check out these websites, too:
- Indeed
- SimplyHired
Freelancing and Contract Work
Upwork and Fivver are excellent for freelance paralegal work opportunities. You’ll love the flexibility and variety of these jobs.
Networking with Law Firms
If you’ve established a network during your studies and internships, finding virtual paralegal jobs becomes easier.
- Reach out to law firms that offer remote paralegal services. Use referrals if necessary.
- Join legal forums and communities.
Applying for Corporate Paralegal Roles
Explore job opportunities in paralegal roles in corporations and government agencies, too.
Tailoring Applications for Remote Roles
Submitting a generic application is the worst mistake you can make. Stand out by tailoring your cover letter and resume to each job application.
- Emphasize your remote work experience and relevant skills.
- Research the employer and job posting so you can tailor your application documents.
At first, you may find it challenging to find remote jobs. Patience and perseverance are key.
Tools and Technology for Remote Paralegals
Be familiar with these tools and technologies, too:
Essential Software
The primary tools for remote paralegals are as follows.
- Case management tools enable paralegals to stay on top of many cases. Clio and Mycase are excellent examples of these tools.
- Document collaboration tools allow paralegals to communicate and collaborate with clients and other parties. Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace are the most popular.
Secure Communication
Yet another critical remote work software for legal assistants is encrypted email and secure file-sharing services. These tools are a must to protect sensitive legal information. ProtonMail, Microsoft Outlook with Encryption, and DocuSign are examples.
Time Management Tools
Trello, Asana, and TimeCamp are also vital types of technology for virtual paralegal jobs. These are productivity apps that also allow paralegals to manage their time and tasks better.
Reliable Workspace Setup
Of course, you must have a reliable workspace setup before starting your virtual paralegal career. You should also set it up in a quiet environment.
Tips for Succeeding as a Remote Paralegal
Here are our useful tips for remote paralegals that we believe will lead to your success:
- Effective communication skills are a must in succeeding in virtual paralegal careers. Be professional in all your dealings.
- Time management is among the critical skills for remote legal assistants, too. Develop these skills and use productivity apps.
- Engage in continuous learning by taking courses, reading journals, and networking with legal professionals.
- Maintain a good work-life balance. Stress management is the key.
- Seek feedback for your work.
Conclusion
If you want to start a remote paralegal career, earn a relevant undergraduate degree and a professional certification first. Then, take advantage of virtual paralegal opportunities, including internships and entry-level jobs. With a growing demand for remote paralegals, you’ll find many opportunities.
Do you want to access more online paralegal career resources? Explore our Online Paralegal Degree website now.
