Legal Coordinator vs. Paralegal: What Are the Differences?
Learn about the two careers and review some of the similarities and differences between them.
A legal coordinator is responsible for the organization and coordination of a law office. A paralegal is responsible for providing legal assistance to lawyers. Both positions require excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work well under pressure. If you’re interested in a career in the legal field, learning more about these two job titles can help you decide which is the best fit for you. In this article, we compare and contrast the job titles legal coordinator and paralegal, and we provide additional information about working in the legal field.
What is a Legal Coordinator?
A Legal Coordinator is a professional who provides support to lawyers and other legal professionals in a law firm or legal department. They coordinate the work of lawyers and other legal staff, keeping track of deadlines, meetings, and other important events. They also maintain files and legal documents, and often prepare documents for court filings. In some cases, they may conduct research or interview witnesses. Legal Coordinators typically have a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field.
What is a Paralegal?
Paralegals are an important part of any legal team, providing support to lawyers by conducting research, preparing documents and managing cases. They often work in law firms, but they can also be employed by government agencies or corporations. Paralegals are not licensed to practice law, but they must have a bachelor’s degree and complete an accredited paralegal program. In some states, they may also be required to pass a certification exam. Paralegals are responsible for a variety of tasks, such as interviewing clients and witnesses, drafting pleadings and discovery requests, and conducting research. They may also attend hearings and trials with lawyers and help prepare for these proceedings.
Legal Coordinator vs. Paralegal
Here are the main differences between a legal coordinator and a paralegal.
Job Duties
Legal coordinators have a wider variety of duties than paralegals. They may manage the entire legal process for a client, from beginning to end. This includes initial client meetings, researching and drafting documents and submitting them to the court or other body.
Paralegals typically perform only certain tasks within a case. For example, they may conduct research on a particular topic or review documents submitted by a opposing party. Paralegals do not take a case from start to finish like a legal coordinator might.
Job Requirements
A legal coordinator typically needs a bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field, such as business administration or criminal justice. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many legal coordinators pursue certifications through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAP). These organizations offer training programs that teach professionals how to use legal software and other tools they might need on the job.
Paralegals typically need an associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a related field, such as business administration or criminal justice. Some employers prefer candidates to have a bachelor’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many paralegals pursue certifications through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the American Alliance of Paralegals (AAP). These organizations offer training programs that teach professionals how to use legal software and other tools they might need on the job.
Work Environment
Legal coordinators and paralegals work in different environments. Legal coordinators typically work in an office environment, where they may collaborate with other professionals to complete projects for their clients. They also travel to meet with clients or attend meetings related to their client’s cases.
Paralegals usually work in a law firm or legal department of a company. This means that they spend most of their time working on legal matters within the confines of an office. However, some paralegals may work as freelance consultants who provide services to individuals or companies outside of traditional offices.
Skills
Both legal coordinators and paralegals use organizational skills in their work. For legal coordinators, this may involve organizing paperwork for a case or keeping track of deadlines. Paralegals also need to be organized as they often are responsible for managing all the documents related to a case.
Both legal coordinators and paralegals use research skills to find information relevant to a case. However, paralegals typically conduct more in-depth research than legal coordinators as they are often responsible for finding information that will be used by attorneys in court.
Legal coordinators need to have excellent communication skills to keep everyone involved in a case on the same page. They also may need to interact with clients, so interpersonal skills can be beneficial. Paralegals also need to have strong communication skills to relay information to attorneys and other members of the legal team. Additionally, they often need to communicate with people outside of the legal team, such as witnesses, so interpersonal skills can be helpful.
Salary
Legal coordinators can earn an average salary of $62,573 per year, while paralegals can earn an average salary of $59,185 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.