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How a paralegal / legal assistant can use AI, task by task

O*NET 23-2011.00: Paralegals and Legal AssistantsMedian pay $62,890/year (BLS, May 2025)12 tasksJob Zone 3: Medium preparation

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Immigration Paralegal, Law Associate, Legal Analyst, Legal Assistant, Legal Clerk, Legal Processing Assistant, Litigation Paralegal, Paralegal, Paralegal Specialist, Real Estate Paralegal.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 44%AI-assist 32%Stays human 24%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 3 AI-ready, 5 AI-assist and 4 human-led tasks out of 12. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.Write it up · Daily
  2. Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.Write it up · Daily
  3. Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.Look into it · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.Be there for people · Weekly
  2. File pleadings with court clerks.Hands-on work · Weekly
  3. Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.Be there for people · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 3

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
File: [case, library]
Contents: [list]

Suggest an order and checklist. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Case file order

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare affidavits or other documents (today).
Step 2Fill in [File] and [Contents] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain the order of legal documents.. Also involves: Prepare legal documents..

Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
Document: [will, deed, brief, contract]
Facts and instructions: [paste, no client names]

Draft a structure and first draft, marking every legal point to verify with [CHECK]. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Legal document first draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare, edit, or review legal documents (today).
Step 2Fill in [Document] and [Facts and instructions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3A lawyer must review and verify every citation and clause. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare legal documents..

Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 37% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
Matter: [order, decree, guidance]
Technical facts: [paste]

Draft the technical sections in plain language. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Technical input for legal documents

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare for trial.
Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Technical facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters.. Also involves: Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information..

AI can help you prep these 5

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 39% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Context: We use Fastcase legal software and Thomson Reuters Westlaw; the work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Legal question: [the question, jurisdiction]
Facts: [key facts, no names]

Outline the relevant statutes, regulations and leading cases to look up, the arguments on each side, and search terms for legal databases. Mark anything you're unsure of. I will verify every citation.

10-minute exercise: Legal research brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather and analyze research data (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Legal question] and [Facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Look up every citation it gives in your legal database. AI can invent cases. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making.. Also involves: Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records..

Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.

Context: We use Thomson Reuters Westlaw and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Legal question: [the question, jurisdiction]
Facts: [key facts, no names]

Outline the relevant statutes, regulations and leading cases to look up, the arguments on each side, and search terms for legal databases. Mark anything you're unsure of. I will verify every citation.

10-minute exercise: Legal research brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you investigate facts and law of cases (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Legal question] and [Facts] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Look up every citation it gives in your legal database. AI can invent cases. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making..

Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Monthly

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Tax software.
Calendar: [judge, hearings]
Items: [cases, meetings, deadlines]

Organize a schedule and flag conflicts. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Court calendar

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct and coordinate law office activity.
Step 2Fill in [Calendar] and [Items] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Coordinate legal schedules or activities..

Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 50% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.

Context: We use LexisNexis CourtLink Strategic Profiles and a la mode WinTOTAL; the work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Property: [type, location, features]
Comparables or damage data: [paste]

Build a valuation or damage estimate with adjustments and formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Valuation worksheet

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you appraise and inventory real and personal property.
Step 2Fill in [Property] and [Comparables or damage data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 2.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Appraise property values.. Also involves: Evaluate condition of properties.; Inventory materials or equipment..

Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.

A few times a year

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
File: [case, library]
Contents: [list]

Suggest an order and checklist. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Case file order

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you keep and monitor legal volumes.
Step 2Fill in [File] and [Contents] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 2.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain the order of legal documents..

These stay human 4

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day · Impact of decisions: important results

Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.

Context: The work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Matter: [claim, case; no names]
Who: [counsel, colleagues]

Prepare issues to clarify and documents to bring. Then play the other party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Legal process meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you meet with clients and other professionals (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues.. Also involves: Confer with court staff to clarify information..

File pleadings with court clerks.

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to file pleadings with court clerks.

Context: The work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Document: [warrant, subpoena]
Rules: [procedures]

Summarize the service procedure and records. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Serving documents

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you file pleadings (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Document] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 3.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Serve court ordered documents.. Also involves: Perform administrative or clerical tasks..

Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.

Context: The work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Dispute: [type, no names]
Positions: [summary]

Prepare questions, interests behind positions and settlement options. Then play a party. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Mediation or arbitration prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you arbitrate disputes (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Dispute] and [Positions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Arbitrate disputes between parties to resolve legal conflicts.. Also involves: Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records..

Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.

A few times a year

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.

Context: The work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Matter: [tax, land development, case]
Client's position: [summary]

Prepare arguments, anticipated objections and responses. Then play the other side. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Representing a client

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you call upon witnesses.
Step 2Fill in [Matter] and [Client's position] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 3.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Speakingimportance 3.6/5
    Used in: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Time Managementimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Performing Administrative Activities

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Writingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Getting Information
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.2/5
    Used in: Getting Information

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 2 new or updated tasks here: 1 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 0 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Manage attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings.

New in O*NET

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to manage attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Tax software.
Here's what I'm working with: [paste the attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings, with private details removed]

Organize this into [a table / the fields in Intuit QuickBooks or Tax software / a checklist]. Point out anything missing or inconsistent, and suggest a template I can reuse next time.

10-minute exercise: Template: attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings

Step 1Take a real example you handle next time it comes up (attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings).
Step 2Paste it into [paste the attorneys' calendars and schedule meetings] and choose the output in [a table / the fields in Intuit QuickBooks or Tax software / a checklist].
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

New O*NET task (08/2024). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.

New in O*NET

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a paralegal / legal assistant. Part of my job is to request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.

Context: We use Thomson Reuters Westlaw and LexisNexis; the work draws on law and government, administrative and computers and electronics.
Technology or method: [describe]
Our needs: [requirements]

Compare it with our current approach on accuracy, cost, time and risk, and propose a small trial.

10-minute exercise: Evaluate a new method or technology

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you request, review, and summarize relevant records for the cases.
Step 2Fill in [Technology or method] and [Our needs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run the trial it proposes if feasible.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

New O*NET task (08/2024). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so its label comes from similar tasks, such as “Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.” (Office Clerks, General), and was checked by hand. O*NET work activity: Evaluate new technologies or methods.. Also involves: Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.; Gather organizational performance information..

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (37% of workers)

  • High school or less 19%
  • Certificate or some college 5%
  • Associate's 20%
  • Bachelor's 46%
  • Graduate degree 10%
  • On-the-job training: 3–6 months
  • Related experience: 2–4 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Adobe AcrobatGoogle DocsGoogle Workspace softwareIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Word

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