We often think of lawyers as the most common professionals in the legal field. However, lawyers collaborate with a team of specialized professionals, including paralegals and legal assistants, who assist in various capacities.

If you are interested in legal careers, consider exploring alternative opportunities. Learn more about the differences between a legal assistant and a paralegal, including education and job responsibilities.

The American Bar Association (ABA) defines a paralegal as someone “qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.” The term “legal assistant” was removed from the definition in 1997 to more accurately represent the type of work paralegals perform.

A legal assistant is typically someone who works for a lawyer or in a legal capacity. The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) categorizeslegal assistants as individuals whose work includes administrative and secretarial tasks to assist an attorney, with some tasks overlapping with those of a paralegal.

Typically, legal assistants handle more administrative tasks than paralegals, such as scheduling meetings and organizing client files; this can vary by employer and job responsibilities. Note that while the ALA’s definition states legal assistants may perform paralegal tasks, this is usually only possible if they have the education and training.

What is a Paralegal?

A paralegal is a professional in the legal field who performs preparatory work for cases, such as researching laws, drafting legal documents, and assisting lawyers with trial preparation. They can bill clients for services performed, just as lawyers can.

Traditionally, paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys and are not authorized to represent clients or provide legal advice independently. However, NFPA now supports an expanding category of licensed Legal Paraprofessionals who, in certain states, are permitted to deliver a limited scope of legal services directly to the public. 

What is a Legal Assistant or Legal Secretary?

Legal assistants also work closely with lawyers. However, they may not perform as in-depth legal work as a paralegal.

Legal assistants primarily handle administrative tasks when assisting lawyers. They may keep track of appointments, prepare documents, and assist with financial or operational tasks. Because of their administrative duties, their work is often similar to that of a legal secretary.

Comparing Education Requirements 

Educational requirements for paralegals and legal assistants have evolved in response to an increasingly competitive job market. Paralegals can be employed with only an associate’s degree. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says many employers prefer paralegals to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Depending on where you wish to apply, you might consider a bachelor’s or master’s degree in legal studies, such as an online Master of Legal Studies.

BLS advises that a high school diploma or GED is usually needed to work as a legal assistant. While there are no formal education requirements to work as a legal assistant, you may consider higher education with a degree in legal studies to advance in your career. Paralegal positions typically require more education and previous experience.

Comparing Certification Requirements

While no single national license governs the paralegal profession, state-level certification and licensing programs have expanded significantly in recent years. However, some employers may refer to national or state paralegal certifications when interviewing candidates, such as certifications issued by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). These standards may include passing the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam and graduating from an ABA-approved paralegal education program. All certifications to become a paralegal are voluntary, but may be recommended.

Like paralegals, legal assistants hold certifications voluntarily. Some organizations issue certifications for both legal assistants and paralegals. NALS, the National Association for Legal Support Professionals, offers three credentials at different levels: the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP), the Certified Legal Professional (CLP), and the Professional Paralegal (PP). The ALP and CLP are geared toward legal support and secretarial professionals, while the PP is designed for those performing paralegal-level work. Eligibility requirements and exam content differ across the three, with the PP reflecting the highest level of legal knowledge and professional experience. 

Salaries for paralegals and legal assistants are often reported together as their duties can be similar.  The latest BLS data from May 2024 reports salary information for paralegals and legal assistants combined. 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how paralegals and legal assistants work. According to Clio’s 2024 Legal Trends Report, roughly 69% of billable hours performed by paralegals involve tasks that could be automated with current AI tools. Law firms are already deploying AI for document review, legal research, contract analysis, and e-discovery. 

Rather than eliminating jobs, most experts expect AI to shift the focus of paralegal work toward higher-level tasks, such as case strategy, client communication, and oversight of AI-generated work product. The BLS projects little or no change in overall employment through 2034, with roughly 39,300 annual openings expected from turnover alone. For both paralegals and legal assistants, comfort with legal technology and AI tools is becoming a practical job requirement.

Overall, paralegals and legal assistants share many similarities in job responsibilities and daily tasks. However, more education and experience may be required for paralegals in the legal field. If paralegal sounds like an interesting job, read our step-by-step guide on how to become a paralegal.

Information on this page was retrieved and updated in March 2026.