Average Salary Paralegal in Chicago, IL

Where do Paralegal earn the highest salaries?

The median salary for a Paralegal ranges from $57,000 in Tampa, FL to $88,000 in San Francisco, CA. Besides the location of employees, differences in salaries are often driven by factors such as years of experience, education, and industry.

City	10th Percentile Salary	Median Salary	Average Salary	90th Percentile Salary
San Francisco, CA	$52,000	$88,000	$89,321	$131,600
Los Angeles, CA	$52,000	$72,000	$74,099	$109,000
Seattle, WA	$45,957	$70,000	$71,509	$107,000
San Diego, CA	$50,000	$70,000	$68,069	$84,640
Phoenix, AZ	$50,000	$65,000	$65,012	$83,920
New York, NY	$41,920	$65,000	$62,524	$80,800
Dallas, TX	$40,800	$65,000	$63,050	$90,200
Denver, CO	$48,399	$64,500	$62,297	$80,448

Common employee benefits for Paralegals in Chicago, IL

It takes more than a paycheck to build an amazing team. In addition to a competitive base salary, offering benefits is a great way to attract and retain top Paralegals in Chicago, IL. Build the right benefits package for your team with Gusto!

401(k)	Paid Time Off	Work From Home
401(k) Matching	Paid Sick Time	Flexible Schedule
Health insurance	Parental Leave	Commuter Benefits
Dental Insurance	Professional Development	Life Insurance

Paralegal Job Description

As a Paralegal, you’ll provide essential support to attorneys by conducting research, writing legal documents, preparing reports, and assisting with case management. They must also help prepare for court cases by analyzing client information and preparing witnesses. You’ll play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and effective operation of our legal department. View Full Job Description.

Paralegal Interview Questions

In the competitive world of paralegal hiring, finding the perfect candidate is crucial. The right paralegal ensures smooth legal operations. In this article, we’ll explore a carefully curated list of interview questions that hiring managers with extensive experience in the field use to identify top-tier paralegal talent.

These questions delve into a candidate’s legal knowledge, problem-solving abilities, commitment to ethics, proficiency with legal technology, and more. We also provide alternative questions to help you tailor your interviews to your needs. View Top Interview Questions for Paralegal.

What is a Paralegal?

Paralegals play a pivotal role in assisting lawyers with legal tasks. They have many duties, including legal research, drafting documents, case file organization, and administrative management (more on this in the next section).

Many paralegals undergo formal education and on-the-job training. Some pursue certification through esteemed national organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), or the National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS). Despite not being a requirement in Illinois, employers often value certification as proof of ability to manage their work.

Paralegals do more than office administration, engaging in substantive legal tasks such as client interaction, document preparation, and trial assistance, depending on the demands of their workplace. So, a comprehensive understanding of various legal areas, such as contracts and property law, contributes to their success.

What does a Paralegal do?

Paralegals' responsibilities adapt to the requirements of the law firm or legal department they serve. Typically, they juggle various roles, which may include:

• Legal Research: Investigating legal issues, statutes, regulations, and case law to support attorneys in case preparation and client counsel.
• Legal Documents Drafting: Creating pleadings, motions, briefs, contracts, and agreements with attorney oversight.
• Case Management: Organizing legal files, scheduling meetings, hearings, and deadlines, and monitoring case progress and documents.
• Client Communication: Gathering information, updating clients on case developments, and addressing inquiries under attorney supervision.
• Trial Preparation Assistance: Coordinating evidence, preparing exhibits, and contributing to trial strategies.
• Office Administration: Managing billing, filing court documents, and maintaining calendars for the law department or firm.
• Specialized Duties: Supporting in specific areas such as real estate transactions, intellectual property filings, or corporate governance, as per employer needs.

Paralegals use legal software and technology tools to streamline tasks and work more efficiently. It’s become more and more important to stay on top of these advancements.

Check out our paralegal job description template for more information.

What skills does a Paralegal need?

Paralegals require a diverse skill set to excel in their multifaceted roles. The skills most important to the work include:

1. Attention to Detail: Paralegals must meticulously review legal documents, detect errors, and ensure compliance with procedural requirements.
2. Legal Knowledge: A solid grasp of legal concepts, terminology, and procedures is crucial for conducting research, drafting documents, and supporting attorneys.
3. Research Skills: Excellent research abilities are essential for finding pertinent laws, regulations, and precedents using various legal resources.
4. Writing and Communication: Clear and concise written communication is vital for drafting legal documents, while strong verbal communication skills are necessary for effective client interaction.
5. Analytical Skills: Paralegals need strong analytical skills to evaluate legal issues, identify relevant facts, and assess the implications of legal strategies.
6. Organization and Time Management: The ability to organize documents, manage deadlines, and prioritize tasks ensures efficient case management.
7. Ethical and Professional Conduct: Upholding high ethical standards, confidentiality, and professionalism is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in the legal profession.
8. Computer and Technology Proficiency: Proficiency in legal software, research databases, and document management systems is crucial for conducting research and managing case files effectively.

Additionally, paralegals should possess specialized skills relevant to their legal practice. Many pursue further training and education to advance their careers within their chosen specialization.

How to become a Paralegal in Chicago?

You don’t need a license or certification to work as a paralegal in Illinois. But showing proof of a strong legal education—formal or informal—is key to starting your career off strongly. There are three tried and true ways to do so:

1. Complete an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, criminal justice, or another applicable field.
2. Complete a certificate program at a national organization like NALA’s Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC), which you can qualify for with any bachelor’s degree or at least five years of paralegal experience and a high school diploma.
3. Get on-the-job training by working as a legal assistant or taking a paralegal internship.

You can also combine these approaches by working as a legal assistant while you complete formal paralegal training. Legal assistant work is also a great way to determine if a paralegal career suits you.

After getting your foot in the door, increase your skills (and compensation) by completing advanced training or continuing education coursework. You should also consider joining a paralegal association to build your network, meet mentors, and learn about changes to the industry and new opportunities.

Finally, don’t forget about reading law journals like the ABA Journal Magazine (it’s published in Chicago). Listening to podcasts and joining social media paralegal communities (e.g., on Facebook or Reddit) can also help you stay informed and hear the opinions of more experienced paralegals.

How to Hire a Paralegal?

To ensure you find exceptional candidates for the paralegal position who possess the necessary skills, experience, and qualities to thrive in the role, it's crucial to implement a comprehensive recruitment process.

Here are several steps to consider when hiring a paralegal:

1. Clearly define the job requirements and craft a compelling job description outlining the necessary responsibilities and qualifications.
2. Leverage diverse recruitment channels, such as online job boards, professional associations, and networking within the legal community, to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
3. Screen resumes and cover letters to identify individuals with relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. Prioritize candidates with a robust academic background, legal education, and previous paralegal experience within your specific area of law, where applicable.
4. Conduct interviews to gauge candidates' legal knowledge, research aptitude, and interpersonal skills. Employ behavioral interviews and written assessments to assess problem-solving abilities, writing proficiency, and familiarity with legal software.
5. Assess candidates' compatibility with your department or firm's culture and team dynamics during the interview process. Verify their employment history and performance by checking references. Consider additional factors such as professionalism, adaptability, and eagerness to learn.
6. Finalize your hiring decision based on the candidate's qualifications, fit with your team's culture, and potential to contribute to your firm's success.

These steps form a strong foundation for conducting the recruitment process, helping you identify and hire a stellar paralegal capable of providing valuable support to attorneys, contributing to your firm's success, and delivering high-quality legal assistance to clients.

Feel free to customize this process to suit the specific needs of your practice and the position.

Methodology

Gusto salary insights data is derived using Gusto’s real-time payroll data from over 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the country.