Is Becoming a Virtual Paralegal for You?

Working from home can be very desirable in some situations. Whether you are a working parent or a homebody, having the freedom to work virtually can be a great asset. Maybe you need more flexibility, or you are tired of your commute. Whatever the reason is, working from home is something worth looking into.

In order to work virtually, you will need to have a remote-friendly job. If your current field is not suitable for remote work, it may be time to consider another career option.

Becoming a virtual paralegal may be the right route for you. Read on to learn more about this intriguing career path. We will share with you more about the job, the benefits, the difficulties, and even how to actually become a virtual paralegal. We will not gloss over anything, and we will make your next steps very simple if you choose to pursue this path.

What is a paralegal?

To understand what a virtual paralegal is, you first must know what a paralegal does in general. The main tasks of paralegals include legal and factual research, drafting court documents and correspondence, reviewing, and summarizing records, and more. Skilled paralegals pay great attention to detail, and they work well with others.

Can you imagine yourself excelling as a paralegal? Click here to learn more about the daily job responsibilities of a paralegal.

What does virtual work look like for a paralegal?

According to AgileLaw, “Some virtual paralegals are directly employed by the law firm . . . while other virtual paralegals work as independent contractors for one or more attorney.” As a virtual paralegal, you have the freedom to choose your own path.

When considering a new career, it is important to look at the earning potential. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of virtual paralegals in 2023 is $71,376 per year. This statistic can give you an idea of what you may earn as a virtual paralegal.

What are the benefits of being a virtual paralegal?

Being a virtual paralegal has its perks. As a remote worker, you do not have to leave your house. This means you can wake up later. You can wear pajama pants as you draft court documents. You can even throw a load of laundry in the washer during your workday. If you have kids, working from home may even mean you can avoid daycare expenses.

If you choose the independent contractor route, you also have the added flexibility of determining your own hours and deciding how much you work based on which jobs you accept. You can work whenever works best for you, even late at night. This can be a great option for a stay-at-home parent who wants to make some money on the side. As an independent contractor, you can also work for multiple different attorneys from different fields of law to add more variation into your paralegal work.

What are the difficulties of being a virtual paralegal?

There are some difficulties that you may encounter as a virtual paralegal, particularly if you decide to pursue independent contracting. This information is quite relevant because virtual paralegals are often hired as independent contractors.

If you work as an independent contractor, you will not receive benefits and do not have a guaranteed income per month. However, you can work for as many attorneys as you are able which can bring in additional cash. Additionally, you must make sure that you abide with tax regulations as contractors are in charge of their own federal, state, and local taxes.

Whether you are an independent contractor or not, there are limitations on what a virtual paralegal can do. Legal Support World notes, “The advantage of in-house paralegals is that they can attend in-person meetings, court proceedings, and document signings that virtual paralegals cannot.” Despite the limitations, there may be a growing amount of remote opportunity after the COVID-19 pandemic opened up the doors to virtual legal work.

Want to learn more about becoming a paralegal?

Blackstone Career Institute (BCI) offers an online Legal Assistant/Paralegal Diploma Program & Training designed to give you the skills needed to work as a paralegal. If you are interested in virtual work, virtual schooling could be the perfect fit for you. In fact, our program is self-paced, so you can set your own schedule.

The goal of Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal Diploma Program & Training is to prepare our students for entry-level positions as paralegals or legal assistants while providing a strong foundation for further training and career advancement. In this program, you will learn to define law and identify basic legal terms, explain legal concepts related to contracts, identify aspects of torts, demonstrate an understanding of civil and criminal defamation, and identify legal cause, negligence, and deceit.

Nationally and regionally accredited, Blackstone’s online program provides you with the 900 clock hours of coursework needed to sit for the Certified Paralegal (CP) exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). This means you have the opportunity to pursue a certification after completing our program. Being certified can boost your resume and improve your marketability as a job candidate.

As advances in technology are continually made, and with the rise of individuals working from home, there is an increase in the need for and interest in virtual paralegals. This field already provides a valuable asset to attorneys and the work that is done on cases. To learn more about our online paralegal diploma program and training, call us at 800-826-9228 or email us your questions at info@blackstone.edu.