Paralegals and Legal Assistants
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 3,120 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 82% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
AI could do much of this on its own
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.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
AI could help, but needs extra software
File pleadings with court clerks.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Judicial Law Clerks
Very similar work+95% pay85 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 95% more—$137,052 vs your $70,326 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Very similar work+3% pay22 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 3% more—$72,784 vs your $70,326 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Negotiation
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Persuasion
- Critical Thinking
- Deductive Reasoning
Lawyers
Very similar work+204% pay3,912 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 204% more—$213,674 vs your $70,326 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
New skills to build
- Persuasion
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Oral Expression
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Very similar work+80% pay59 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 80% more—$126,619 vs your $70,326 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, with 5 years or more of experience, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Customer and Personal Service
New skills to build
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Inductive Reasoning
- Critical Thinking
- Deductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Similar work+26% pay1,570 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 26% more—$88,593 vs your $70,326 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Administrative
- English Language
- Written Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Quality Control Analysis
- Mathematics
- Speed of Closure