National Occupation Code (NOC): 4211

Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.

Job Duties for Paralegal and related occupations

Paralegals

• Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
• Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
• Under the supervision of a lawyer, prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
• Research records, court files and other legal documents
• Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.

Independent paralegals

• Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
• Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.

Notaries public

• Administer oaths and take affidavits and depositions
• Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents
• May draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents
• May arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.

Trademark agents

• Advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks
• Advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights
• Represent clients at proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings
• May represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys.

Working Conditions for Paralegal and related occupations

Work is typically performed in courthouses or law offices, with travel sometimes necessary when attending to clients’ needs.

Alternate Job Titles

• Abstractor
• Brief Writer – Law
• British Columbia Notary Public
• Collection Paralegal
• Commercial Law Clerk
• Commercial Law Paralegal
• Contract Clerk – Law
• Conveyance Clerk
• Copyright Agent
• Corporate Law And Litigation Clerk
• Corporate Law Clerk
• Corporate Paralegal
• Corporate Securities Law Clerk
• Corporation Paralegal
• Court And Tribunal Agent
• Criminal Law Clerk
• Criminal Law Paralegal
• Family Law Clerk
• Family Law Paralegal
• Foreclosure Clerk
• Foreclosure Paralegal
• Independent Paralegal
• Insurance Law Clerk
• Insurance Paralegal
• Labour Law Clerk
• Labour Law Paralegal
• Land Titles Clerk
• Land Titles Examiner
• Law Clerk
• Law Clerk To Judge
• Lay Notary Public
• Lease And Title Clerk
• Legal Researcher
• Legal Technician
• Litigation Law Clerk
• Litigation Paralegal
• Mortgage And Real Estate Paralegal
• Notary Public
• Notary Public (British Columbia)
• Notary Public (outside Quebec)
• Notary Public Clerk
• Oil And Gas Property Paralegal
• Oil And Gas Rights Law Clerk
• Oil And Gas Rights Paralegal
• Paralegal
• Property Paralegal
• Real Estate Law Clerk
• Real Estate Paralegal
• Registered Trademark Agent
• Tax Law Clerk
• Tax Paralegal
• Title And Lease Clerk
• Title Examiner
• Title Searcher
• Trademark Agent
• Transfer-of-title Clerk
• Wills And Estates Law Clerk
• Wills And Estates Paralegal
• Wills And Estates Clerk
• Legal Aid Worker