Everyone knows law firms primarily employ lawyers. However, did you know that legal companies also employ a variety of other professionals besides attorneys?
If you’re looking for a career change and perhaps wondering, “What are some common jobs working with accident attorneys in my area?” here are some of the common jobs available at a law firm you might consider.
Attorney
Attorneys are licensed legal professionals providing legal advice and representing clients throughout all of the stages of a lawsuit and, when necessary, in court proceedings. They are responsible for researching case law, preparing pleadings and motions, interviewing witnesses and clients, negotiating settlements, representing clients in court hearings, and writing contracts.
To become an attorney, one must pass the bar exam after completing a Juris Doctor or J.D. degree from an accredited law school. An attorney might specialize in any of a variety of areas of practice, from business (corporate) law to environmental law.
Accident attorneys provide legal services to individuals who have been injured in an accident. They specialize in personal injury law and help victims of accidents understand their rights, file claims, and seek compensation for damages incurred due to the accident.
Accident attorneys also are responsible for representing their clients during negotiations with insurance companies and their clients’ interests in court. Skilled and sympathetic accident attorneys will strive to work out personal injury law settlements rather than take cases into court.
Law firms are not made up of only attorneys. Attorneys partner with and are often assisted by other professionals (legal and non-legal), especially when building a case. Some of these important roles include paralegal, intake specialist, and administrator, among others.
Paralegal
As a paralegal at a law firm, you would be responsible for providing legal support to attorneys. Your duties may include:
- Researching legal precedents and statutes
- Preparing documents for filing in court
- Organizing case files and evidence
- Drafting pleadings and motions
- Performing investigations into the facts of cases
- Analyzing data related to cases
- Interviewing clients and witnesses on behalf of attorneys
- Attending hearings or mediations with attorneys
- Assisting in trial preparation
You will need strong research and excellent written and oral communication skills to succeed as a paralegal.
If you’re a paralegal and wondering “who might be an injury lawyer near me?”, you’d likely be a good candidate if you have some background in personal injury law. Law firms that have a personal injury practice also prefer candidates with coursework related to medical malpractice claims, wrongful death suits, slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, and other types of personal injuries.
Intake Specialist
As an Intake Specialist for a law firm, you would be responsible for managing the initial contact between potential clients and the firm. Your duties may include gathering information from prospective clients for the attorney to decide whether to accept the case. Additionally, you would be required to maintain detailed records of each case the firm takes. You would also ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed correctly and on time.
Most employers require that Intake Specialists hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some firms may prefer to hire applicants with an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or a related field. In addition to educational qualifications, employers typically seek individuals with experience in customer service and/or the legal field.
Administrator
An administrator at a law firm is responsible for providing administrative support to attorneys and other staff. Typical duties include:
- Answering phones, taking messages and responding to inquiries from clients.
- Scheduling meetings and appointments.
- Creating, sending, organizing, filing, photocopying, and faxing documents.
- Maintaining client databases.
- Coordinating travel arrangements for legal team members.
- Drafting correspondence on behalf of the lawyers in the firm.
- Assisting with research projects as needed.
- Processing payments or invoices.
Most employers require applicants for an administrative job at a law firm to have at least a high school diploma. Some positions may also require additional education, such as an associate’s degree or certification in office management or legal administration.
If You’re Wondering “Could I Work With Accident Attorneys in My Area?”, Consider This
If you live in Lafayette, Louisiana, or Metairie, Louisiana area, and you are looking to work for a law firm, there are several positions available where you can effect change and help the community. Now that you know that you don’t necessarily need to study law to work at a law firm, you can focus on finding the right job for you.
At The Law Offices of Blaine Barrilleaux, we believe the legal profession is enriched when passionate people willing to make a positive change in the world get involved in the justice system.
That’s why we say “In pain? Call Blaine” because our law firm chooses to focus on helping the community by ensuring those who have been injured get the compensation they deserve. By doing so, we are helping those who have been most affected and where we can have the biggest impact.