This question is about what a legal assistant does, legal assistant, and legal assistant salaries.

Is a legal assistant the same as a paralegal?

By Zippia Team - Nov. 2, 2021

No, a legal assistant is not the same as a paralegal, although they are very similar jobs. While a legal assistant's work is more administrative, a paralegal gathers information for trials.

Both legal assistants and paralegals prepare for trial, but only the paralegal is fully immersed in those duties. A legal assistant may deal more with:

Answering phones and taking messages
Making copies and sending faxes
Welcoming and directing people who enter the office

In general, the scope of a legal assistant's job is broader than that of the paralegal's work.

Is a legal assistant the same as a paralegal?

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