NALA 2008 Survey Report Published

      Results are now available from the 2008 National Utilization and Compensation Survey of paralegals conducted by the National Association of Legal Assistants. The survey examines education and experience, firm environment and utilization, billing rates and salary/compensation levels.

      Findings in the report are based on 1,434 responses to a survey questionnaire posted on the NALA web site from October 15, 2007 through February 15, 2008.  Data from the survey form was compiled an analyzed electronically.  Responses were anonymous.

      Economic data in the report are presented in terms of such factors as size of city, size of firm, educational backgrounds, years of experience, and specialty area of practice. Average age of respondents to the latest survey was 42, and women comprised 95 percent of the participants.

     An average of 18 years of legal experience was reported, with eight years at the same employer. Most (64%) were employed by private law firms, and 62 percent of those were in firms of one to 10 attorneys. Corporate employers accounted for 18 percent of the respondents.

      Educational backgrounds of survey respondents have remained fairly consistent in recent years. Those reporting a high school diploma as their highest general degree attained is 16%; 36% report an associate degree and 42% report a bachelor's degree as the highest degree attained. Of those who have completed a paralegal program, most (34%) finished a 2-year associate degree program.

       Average salaries have increased 8% since 2004, 12% from 2002.  Looking at years of experience and salary, those with 1-5 years of experience show an increase of 11% over 2004; 6-10 years show an increase of 7%; 11-15 years show an increase of 6%; 16-20 years show an increase of 13%.  Years of experience, general education and years on the job are primary factors related to compensation levels.

      On average, hourly billing rates have increased 11% from $91 to $101 in the past three+ years. Firm size and years of experience are the primary factors related to billing rates.

       The ratio of attorneys to legal assistants in mid-sized law firms has declined over the past five years, indicating greater utilization of paralegals on the legal team for that period. In the area of workplace responsibilities, the top five duties indicated by respondents to the 2008 survey were:

1.   Drafting correspondence

2.   General factual research

3.   Calendaring deadlines

4.   Assist with client conference/client contact

5.   Case Management

       In addition to these areas, paralegals also spend a good deal of time fact checking, providing computerized support, and document analysis/summary.

       The survey asked paralegals to indicate in which of 38 listed practice areas they worked, and how much time they spent in those areas. The average number of areas selected by respondents was three.

      Findings indicate that if paralegals work in the following specialty practice areas, they tend to spend more than 60 percent of their time working in the area. The areas are:

Civil Litigation
Personal Injury 
Insurance 
Family Law/Domestic Relations
Administrative/Government/Public
Medical Malpractice 
Real Estate     
Intellectual Property
Corporate
Criminal
Employment & Labor                                       
Trusts & Estates
Probate
Workers Comp
Products Liability

       The full survey report may be seen at http://www.nala.org/survey_table.htm, or printed copies are free upon request from NALA Headquarters.

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