Career of a Legal Analyst
The role of a legal analyst is to perform specialized research and analysis and compile the pertinent information into well-structured reports or documents. The legal analyst may be responsible for working with clients, lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals. These professionals must produce work that is clear and concise based on the facts and principles of law and carry out assigned tasks such as organizing files and conducting research in a streamlined manner. They need a comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology and procedures and must be prepared for every possible challenge that may arise when compiling important information.
For instance, they may be called upon to conduct background checks on clients, opposing counsel, or witnesses in order to help effectively prepare a court case. They may also be responsible for reviewing evidentiary sources, examining factual records, conducting thorough research and factual investigation, assisting with trial preparation , conducting legal writing, and even writing summaries for litigation related to specific cases. In addition, they are often called upon to file legal paperwork pertaining to specific issues (i.e. cases) and then argue those issues both in and out of the courtroom while under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
If you are considering a career as a legal analyst, it makes sense to begin by exploring what specific duties you’ll be responsible for, as well as the skills your employer will be looking for. Most often, their job is to conduct research and analysis to assist lawyers in various facets of the legal process – from supporting on-going cases to performing administrative tasks. Others may review the conduct of paralegals for quality control purposes and assure that teams (lawyers, paralegals and researchers) are collaborating on various projects. Legal analysts are lawyers’ right hand, providing them with valuable information and guidance before, during, and after a case.
Education for Legal Analysts
Law firms, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations often seek candidates with degrees in law-related fields when hiring legal analysts. For most aspiring legal analysts, degrees in paralegal studies or legal support services, as well as in criminal justice or political science, are recommended.
Typically, an associate’s degree or an equivalent certificate in paralegal studies or a related field is considered the minimum requirement for legal analyst positions. Organizations may also require study in one or more advanced paralegal studies programs or in the program for legal support services. At the doctoral level, a PhD is a possible academic achievement, as is the J.D., which is the terminal degree of the legal profession.
Openings for entry-level legal analyst positions are available to high school graduates who have training from a paralegal studies program or from a program in legal support services that includes instruction in paralegal studies. Upon completing an associate’s degree, students may also find many relevant entry-level positions in legal assisting available to them.
Finding Opportunities for Relevant Experience
Internships and part-time jobs can be valuable in the pursuit of a career as a legal analyst. Many law firms and legal departments of companies or government offices offer internship programs for students interested in becoming legal analysts. These programs give you the chance to learn how to perform research and review contracts and produce related documents. An internship can give you professional experience and help build your resume and professional contacts which may enable you to get a full-time job offer after completing your education.
There are many other ways to gain experience aside from internships, such as a part-time job or volunteering. Some organizations may include a legal analyst as part of their personnel but don’t specify the title in their posting. Pro bono programs are often run by a group of attorneys working together to assist those who cannot afford an attorney to represent them in specific areas of the law. The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) has listed dozens of pro bono programs with their contact information which may or may not have available openings. Some companies and government agencies maintain their own pro bono partnerships. You can check with your local bar association to see if they have a pro bono referral service.
Critical Skills for the Legal Analyst
To excel as a legal analyst, you’ll need an array of skills that range from practical and technical to analytical and interpersonal. If you’re willing to learn and grow, there are resources available to help you develop the competencies you’ll need.
Analytical skills are vital for legal analysts. You’ll be called on to interpret and analyze data from research results, contract terms, case files and other sources. You’ll also be called on to prepare reports, undertake data modeling, and perform due diligence reviews.
As a legal analyst, you’ll spend a sizeable portion of each day conducting basic legal and factual research. You’ll research regulations, statutes, case law and legal precedents, and will determine how they apply to your research subject. The results of your research will inform decisions about contract terms, risk management, litigation strategy and other key matters.
With a focus on detail, you’ll support the overall goals of your law firm, corporation or government agency. You’ll draft and proof documents, reviewing your work for content and style, and will correct errors, typos and inconsistencies as needed. This attention to detail will enable you to prevent errors that could come with serious consequences, such as the loss of a case and/or damage to your employer’s reputation.
Networking for Legal Professionals
Networking can be an invaluable strategy when it comes to establishing a career as a legal analyst. Simply put, it’s connecting with professionals in an effort to establish relationships and you’d be hard-pressed to find a field that relies more heavily on networking than the legal profession. Of course, as a legal analyst, you’re responsible for keeping track of current laws, regulations and other legal data. But there aren’t too many successful professionals in any industry who can attest to being where they are today without a little help from their connections.
So how can you use networking to your benefit? Well, first off it’s important to know what networking isn’t. Networking is not about trying to get a name on the tip of someone’s tongue or sticking out in their mind. It’s not about accumulating business cards and subsequently trashing them. It’s about compromising, collaborating and building meaningful relationships. To that end, it’s necessary to invest the time and energy it takes to foster a solid bond.
Networking is not an event — it’s an ongoing process . Finding new opportunities and seeking out potential clients are just two of the benefits of networking. It can also open the door to becoming a partner of a firm, getting in on ground-floor opportunities and getting a feel for what clients are looking for.
Here are some other tips to ensure you’re networking properly and not just taking up space at your local bistro during happy hour: So you’re guaranteed to meet other legal professionals if you attend law events and conventions, right? While you might, you might also rub elbows with paralegals, private investigators, court reporters and other legal analysts. That’s because you’ll find a number of professionals at these events, many of whom can help you further your career. You can meet people from other law firms, government agencies and any number of other organizations that are involved in litigation.
Networking can be one of the most valuable assets to have when you pursue a career in law. It can help you establish a career as a legal analyst through a well-defined path of collaboration with other professionals.
Certification and Continued Legal Education
The path to becoming a legal analyst is unique for each individual. Fortunately, the flexibility and opportunity for growth in this field allow candidates to explore their ambitions without sacrificing current employment or setting aside education plans. Whether you are an entry level applicant or an experienced professional, continuing education is just as crucial to advancing to the next stage in your career.
One of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself as an aspiring legal analyst or staying apprised of new developments in the field is to obtain certification. There are two main associations that offer certification: National Association of Legal Assistants ("NALA") and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations ("NFPA"). NALA offers CLA,CORE, CLAS, and VA – these certifications demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and skills pertaining to different aspects of the job. Most importantly, being a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) shows employers your competence in legal analysis, and helps them distinguish you from other applicants who have not obtained any certification. In addition, while the CORE certification is only a permanent credential, a CLA/CP certification is valid for five years. Therefore, after obtaining a CLA/CP, continuing education is necessary to maintain your active status and deepen your understanding of complex areas of the law.
Similarly, NFPA offers Awareness & Freedom Certification Legal Analyst certifications. These certifications target different fields of law and aim to increase both service and efficiency in specific practice areas. The Freedom certification also features an assignment for those that already practice in a particular area of law or work at a law firm.
Education is another extremely important aspect of a legal analyst career – but it can take many different forms. For those just getting started, many community colleges and universities have paralegal programs. Applicants should select a program based on the area of law in which they wish to specialize. Typically, these programs place an emphasis on teaching essential skills required to perform legal research, legal writing, and effective communication with clients. In addition, training in legal software is often part of the curriculum.
If you aren’t ready yet to commit to a full degree program, try taking a few online courses or enrolling in a certificate program. Many community colleges, universities, and private companies alike offer these types of programs featuring specialized training intended for employees working in law offices who may not have formal paralegal training or education.
Continuing education options abound for current legal analysts too. NFPA offers webinars on overtime rules, social media, expert witnesses, emails, and many other continuing education topics to paralegals and other legal professionals. Similarly, NALA and other organizations frequently host webinars to help legal analysts stay on top of changes or new developments in the field. Continuing legal education (CLE) requirements vary depending on where you live. For instance, California paralegals must complete four hours of CLE annually. To maintain CLA/CP credentials, legal analysts are also required to fulfill certain educational prerequisites. All in all, continuing education is a key part of achieving success in a fast-paced and dynamic industry that is constantly evolving.
Opportunities to Advance Your Career
Once you have landed a legal analyst position, there may be numerous opportunities waiting for you to advance your career and salary. First, understand the hierarchy of employees in a typical law office. Junior Employees start out as the legal assistants. They can advance to paralegal or legal secretary, if they show their skills and dedication to the job during a probationary period. If you have an advanced degree, you can be hired as a legal analyst, where you will perform more legal research than typical legal assistants, and usually at a higher salary.
In large law firms, there is often a position of e-discovery specialist. This is an integral position in any firm, as most legal work today involves electronic information, and discovery of those electronic documents and information needs to be performed by a skilled person.
Depending on the size of the law firm, you can be promoted to Senior Legal Analyst. In this role , you will have substantial responsibility for many projects and clients, and your duties will require you to learn more of the intricacies of the law, and in litigation, also the trial procedure.
If your Interest is in another area of the law such as criminal law, real estate, or corporate law, your path to advancement will likely follow the Supervising Legal Analyst, or Sr. Legal Analyst route. You will need to start with specialized courses in that area, and have some experience before you can be promoted into the supervising role.
The next horizon is the Senior Manager/director of the paralegal /legal assistant department. This often requires an advanced degree such as an MBA, but not always. You will then supervise the daily operations of the paralegals and other support staff. You may also have budgeting and staffing decisions depending on the size of the law office.
Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer is the career pinnacle.