An Introduction to Paralegal Work in Illinois
As with many states, Illinois has strict restrictions against the unauthorized practice of law. In the past, you might have been able to find a legal assistant or secretary in a law firm babysitting cases for attorneys. That was not only risky, but a sure sign that your office was going to be in trouble with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Now legal assistants and paralegals are playing a much more vital role in the firm than simply being secretaries. According to the American Bar Association:
The responsibilities of paralegals and legal assistants continue to evolve. Their role is now much more extensive and diversified and frequently encompasses substantive legal and factual research and drafting of legal and business documents. There is no universal standard for the number of legal assistants or paralegals in a law office or the ratio of attorneys to paralegals and legal assistants. However, the number of paralegals may be increased by the rapid growth of paralegal services in free standing corporations, businesses , government agencies and law schools.
The demand for paralegals in Illinois continues to increase. In fact, recent statistics show that the amount of open positions Illinois paralegals can apply to is higher than the national average! Don’t let this scare you away from entering the profession. Illinois ranks 3rd in the country when it comes to the most paralegals. So, what does what exactly will Illinois paralegal duties involve? Legal Assistants/Paralegals generally support and work under attorney supervision to accomplish multiple tasks before, during and after litigation. Some of the following duties are included in the paralegal job description:
These listings are just some of the basic responsibilities placed upon paralegals in Illinois, but ultimately, it will be individualized to whatever type of specialization an attorney works in. You can find paralegals working in Corporate, Immigration, Litigation, Healthcare, Family Law, Bankruptcy and many more different types of law. While paralegals still cannot practice law without an attorney supervising their work, their role is continuing to grow on a daily basis.
Paralegal Education Requirements in Illinois
On the road to becoming a paralegal in Illinois, many find that a solid educational background is essential to ensure their success. Available education options in the state include traditional degree programs at colleges, universities, and career-training schools. Combination in-person and online paralegal studies programs are available as well, and offer flexibility and may enable students to earn a paralegal education in a fraction of the time it would take through a traditional "brick-and-mortar" school. There are several institutions of higher learning in Illinois that offer students the chance to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, giving graduates the education they will need to effectively perform many of the administrative and substantive duties required in Illinois law offices. Many area paralegals have earned their degree online through American Public University System, a distance learning-based institution that offers an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies or a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies. The highest level of paralegal education available in Illinois is the master’s degree, which can be earned online through Franklin University or through Fairmont State University, West Virginia’s only institution of higher learning dedicated to serving the state’s nontraditional students. Some Illinois paralegals opt to earn a legal studies or paralegal certificate through one of many colleges and universities in the state, often completing their studies in less than one year. Accreditation is an important factor to keep in mind when choosing a certification program. The American Bar Association has approved many programs offered by colleges, universities and paralegal professional organizations in Illinois that include a supervised internship, such as those facilitated by the Northwestern College of Professional Studies or the University of Illinois.
Illinois Paralegal Certification and Licensing
In Illinois, the profession is not officially regulated. There are no laws that specifically state that a paralegal must have a diploma or degree to work in this field, nor is there a state or national licensing board that provides certification of Illinois paralegals. A paralegal can call themselves such without any form of certification if they so choose; though most law firms require that potential hires have met the educational requirements that we noted above. Even though paralegals are not required to be licensed or certified, voluntary certification is such an option that many Illinois paralegals pursue. There are two main different national certifications that Illinois paralegals may consider if they choose to; the NALA and the NFPA. In general, certification is regarded very highly by employers and is seen as a sign of professionalism and dedication to the field.
Illinois Paralegal Associations and Affiliate Organizations
Illinois is home to a number of paralegal associations that provide support and resources for paralegals. The Illinois Paralegal Association (IPA), formed in 1976, serves the legal community as the voice of paralegals in the state. The IPA offers a variety of resources for current and aspiring paralegals, including networking opportunities, continuing education and professional growth. The association publishes informative content and organizes professional development events which are invaluable to paralegals looking to grow in their careers. The central hub for the IPA is its website which provides up to date resources and information relevant to the paralegal profession.
Additional paralegal associations in Illinois include the Chicago Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals (CALAP). The CALAP also strives to improve the field of paralegal work through its networking opportunities and commitment to educating the public on the value of paralegals. The Paralegal Association of Mid-Illinois (PAMI) serves Central Illinois. The PAMI also publishes informative content and organizes events.
Illinois Paralegal Employment Opportunities
Law firms in Illinois have many opportunities to employ a paralegal. Law firm paralegals can be employed to work in virtually every area of law. Common areas include family law, immigration, corporate, criminal, workers’ compensation, class action, and many others. The larger the law firm, the more opportunities for paralegals. In a firm with multiple offices, there is the potential for opportunities in those offices. For example, a Chicago office may look to hire a paralegal in its Downers Grove or Waukegan offices due to growth in the firm or that particular office. Paralegals and legal assistants looking to join a law firm may wish to consider larger law firms that have more opportunities for employment.
Corporate legal departments in Illinois also employ paralegals. Although a good percentage of paralegals are employed by law firms , many corporate legal departments have a need for skilled paralegals and some larger companies such as Caterpillar and All State Insurance have an ongoing need for paralegals. For paralegals interested in working in the corporate world, they may wish to consider looking at opportunities with larger corporations.
Government agencies in Illinois also employ paralegals. Paralegals can work for the United States Attorney’s Office, State’s Attorney’s Office, city or local municipalities, and various state agencies. Unlike law firm and corporate paralegals, government paralegals do not ordinarily charge their clients per hour. Rather, the paralegal’s salary is established pursuant to that government entity’s pay structure.
Illinois Paralegal Employment, Salaries and Career Advancement
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Illinois supports many of the national government and corporate law firms, which lead to higher-than-average salaries for employed paralegals. As of May 2019, the BLS reported an average annual paralegal salary of $56,520 for the windfall number of paralegals working in Illinois.
Among the highest concentrations of paralegals are those employed by securities, commodity contracts and financial services firms, which pay a mean annual wage of $72,650 as of May 2019. The Chicago metro area also has the highest number of employed paralegals with 19,750 working for an average annual salary of $66,930.
When it comes to pay, factors such as specialization as well as employment type and location can impact earnings. For instance, paralegals working in government or those with specialized certifications can expect to earn a higher wage. In addition to higher salaries, paralegals enjoy robust prospects for career growth. The growth outlook for the paralegal field is strong due to increasing demand for affordable legal services. In fact, the BLS projects a 12% growth from 2018 to 2028 for jobs for paralegals nationwide. Illinois paralegals who are looking to increase their earning potential would do well to focus on an area of specialization that has a high demand. For example, paralegals specializing in litigation and real estate have traditionally been in high demand and have strong job growth. Other specializations that are in demand include immigration law and medical malpractice and personal injury.
Continuing Education & Professional Development for Illinois Paralegals
Continuing education and professional development is a crucial aspect of a paralegal’s career. In Illinois, many paralegals are choosing to pursue paralegal professional associations in order to enhance their resumes. Membership in a paralegal professional association also provides the paralegal with networking opportunities, access to resources, and professional development. Professional paralegal organizations include: the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), Illinois Paralegal Association, Chicago Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals (CALAP), The Du Page County Paralegal Association (DCPA), and the South Suburban Chicago and South Cook County Paralegal Association. These associations provide benefits such as newsletters, educational programs, webinars, networking opportunities, and access to jobs and mentorship. Professional paralegal organizations also play a role in advocacy, and can advocate for the paralegal profession as a whole and also for the paralegal in the workplace. Although membership to a paralegal professional organization is not required by law in Illinois, it can be a great benefit to a paralegal seeking to advance his or her career.
Illinois Paralegal Legal and Ethical Considerations
In Illinois, paralegals are not subject to the same formal licensing requirements as attorneys, but they are still bound by legal and ethical standards that ensure their work complements the capabilities and responsibilities of Illinois licensed attorneys. The American Bar Association (ABA) model guidelines for paralegals recommend that employers define the scope of duties entrusted to paralegals, mandate training where appropriate, and adopt professional liability insurance to guard against errors and omissions. Because the nature of paralegal work often involves client interaction, it is paramount that those who employ paralegals in Illinois have confidence in the professionalism and legal understanding of the paralegals they supervise. Employment of paralegals is regulated under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct. The Rules put forth the actions and behaviors expected of Illinois licensed attorneys , and they also outline appropriate interactions between attorneys and paralegals. For example, Rule 5.3 outlines the professional expectations for paralegals and the collaborative role they play in supporting attorneys by offering paralegals and attorney supervisors with a way to effectively interact and share responsibility for the professional conduct of the paralegal. A key factor for paralegals in Illinois is the necessity of confidentiality. The ABA Model Guidelines (and, by proxy, state licensing bodies including the Illinois State Bar Association) hold confidentiality as the highest priority in the ethical framework of paralegal work. When paralegals come into contact with clients in the course of a client-attorney relationship, paralegals must be sure to adequately explain themselves to the client to emphasize that the relationship is necessarily between the client and the attorney—and not the paralegal.