Occupation · SOC 23-2099
Legal Support Workers, All Other
All legal support workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$68,760
$41,510–$176,950
Projected growth
-1.2%
Declining
Annual openings
-60
per year
Employed (US)
47,380
Job Zone —
Core skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareData mining softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities and outlining actions needed to clear titles.Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.Read search requests to ascertain types of title evidence required and to obtain descriptions of properties and names of involved parties.Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors' offices.Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.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.Enter into record-keeping systems appropriate data needed to create new title records or to update existing ones.Retrieve and examine real estate closing files for accuracy and to ensure that information included is recorded and executed according to regulations.Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.Prepare and issue title commitments and title insurance policies, based on information compiled from title searches.Direct activities of workers who search records and examine titles, assigning, scheduling, and evaluating work, and providing technical guidance as necessary.File pleadings with court clerks.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic legal terminology and definitions — identify and apply under direct supervision when reviewing statutes and regulations in a law office setting.Client intake forms and case files — organize and maintain using document management software under guidance from a supervising attorney or paralegal.Relevant laws and government regulations — locate and retrieve using legal databases and online research tools in a law firm or agency environment.Written correspondence and legal documents — draft routine letters and forms following established templates under close supervisory review.Client and witness information — gather through structured interviews using approved protocols under direct oversight in a legal support role.Case-related evidence and records — compile and log into database systems accurately under direction from senior legal staff.Legal precedents and rulings — recognize and summarize basic examples when assigned research tasks in a supervised office environment.Electronic mail and office suite software — use to communicate and organize daily administrative tasks in a legal support workplace.Active listening skills — demonstrate during client and witness interviews to capture accurate information under the guidance of experienced staff.Spreadsheet software — enter and organize case data and deadlines following established formats in a legal administrative setting.
developing
Applicable laws, rulings, and regulations — interpret and explain to clients and businesses with reduced oversight in a legal services environment.Legal research findings — synthesize into written summaries that identify relevant precedents for attorneys handling active cases.Client and witness interviews — conduct independently to gather evidence and background information in support of legal actions or defense strategies.Case file documentation — manage end-to-end using document management and database software with minimal supervisory direction.Probable case outcomes — analyze by applying knowledge of legal precedents and presenting findings to supervising counsel in routine matters.Government agency submissions and court filings — prepare and submit accurately, ensuring compliance with procedural rules and deadlines.Complex problem solving — apply to identify gaps in evidence or procedural issues and propose corrective actions within familiar legal contexts.Data mining and query software — use to extract and cross-reference case-relevant information from legal and public record databases.Oral communication — convey legal concepts and case status clearly to clients and agency representatives in professional settings.Judgment and decision making — exercise when prioritizing competing case tasks and escalating issues appropriately to supervising attorneys.
proficient
Laws, rulings, and regulations across multiple practice areas — interpret and apply autonomously to provide accurate guidance to individuals and businesses.Legal precedents and case law — analyze systematically to forecast probable outcomes and recommend strategic approaches for non-routine cases.Evidence gathering activities — design and execute independently, including client and witness interviews, to support litigation or regulatory proceedings.Client representation before government agencies — conduct with full accountability, preparing all supporting documentation and arguments.Critical thinking and deductive reasoning — apply to evaluate complex legal scenarios and identify the strongest defensible positions for clients.Comprehensive written legal documents — draft, review, and finalize with high precision, including briefs, motions, and agency submissions.Document management systems and legal databases — administer and optimize to ensure accurate, accessible, and secure case record-keeping.Active learning — pursue independently to stay current with changes in law, regulations, and agency procedures affecting assigned practice areas.Public safety and security regulations — interpret and integrate into legal support work for clients in regulated or compliance-sensitive industries.Complex client consultations — lead with confidence, applying customer service expertise and legal knowledge to address multifaceted legal concerns.
advanced
Legal support practice standards and workflows — establish and continuously improve across the organization to ensure quality and compliance at scale.Junior legal support staff and paralegals — mentor and develop by modeling best practices in research, document preparation, and client communication.Organizational legal research strategies — design and implement using advanced data mining and database tools to support high-volume or complex caseloads.Policy interpretation frameworks — develop for use by the broader legal support team when advising clients on regulatory and statutory matters.Case outcome analysis methodologies — lead by building structured approaches to precedent review that inform firm-wide litigation strategy.Relationships with government agencies and court systems — cultivate at a senior level to facilitate effective client representation and regulatory compliance.Ethics, integrity, and professional conduct standards — champion and enforce across the legal support function to protect client and organizational interests.Technology adoption and tool selection — evaluate and direct for document management, data analysis, and workflow automation in legal operations.Cross-functional legal support initiatives — lead in collaboration with attorneys, HR, and administration to align support services with organizational goals.Workforce planning and talent development — oversee for the legal support function, identifying competency gaps and designing training to address them.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Legislative AideEscrow CloserTariff ExpertLaw ResearcherContract ClerkEscrow OfficerPatent SearcherLife Care PlannerLegal AdministratorFriend of the CourtPatent ExaminerAdvocateTrial ExaminerLegal TechnicianJurorLegislative AssistantLaw ExaminerLegal Research AnalystBrief WriterCloserCase Briefer