23-2011 · 12 tasks

Can AI do the work of Paralegals?

AI drafts and reviews documents fast. Building the argument and catching its mistakes are becoming the job.

An AI certificate built from these 11 tasks

The sooner you learn what AI can't do, the harder you are to replace.

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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NoneAll

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

✓Prepare & organize documents

✓Research facts & case law

✓Draft & review filings

Our estimate for this jobTypical

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Paralegals and Legal Assistants work. It covers the 11 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

What we looked at

This job has 12 core tasks. We went through 11 of them, one at a time.

What AI does, and what stays with you

Task by task, from the work Paralegals actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
AI does
Drafts documents and keeps the filing system tidy
You do
Catch what is wrong or missing
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 does
Searches records and surfaces precedent
You do
Spot the fabricated or wrong citation
Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
AI does
Produces first drafts of briefs and contracts
You do
Check accuracy, tone, and risk
Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
AI does
Organizes exhibits and timelines
You do
Make the case land
Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
AI does
Summarizes the law in seconds
You do
Decide what actually matters
50% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
AI does
Preps notes and questions
You do
Read the room and hold the trust
Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.
AI does
Scans title documents, flags liens or gaps, and summarizes findings fast
You do
Apply legal judgment, communicate with parties, and take responsibility for closing decisions
Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.
AI does
Drafts inventory templates, pulls comparable property data, and formats asset lists
You do
Visit and inspect property in person to confirm condition and gather accurate details
Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.
AI does
Scans databases and publisher alerts to flag outdated volumes and generate update checklists
You do
Physically inspect shelves, receive shipments, and make judgment calls about what the library actually needs
File pleadings with court clerks.
AI does
Checks documents for formatting errors and helps track filing deadlines
You do
Own the submission, verify court rules, and take responsibility for timely filing
Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
AI does
Helps draft schedules, track deadlines, and organize task lists
You do
Show up in person, coordinate people, and handle real-world legal logistics

Pay & outlookCompare pay by state

Median pay (national)$62,890 · BLS OEWS 2025

Median pay (Colorado)$78,190 · BLS OEWS 2025

Employed (national)392,880

Employed in Colorado5,620

Job outlook+0.2% by 2034 · ~39,300 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

Short lessons built from these tasks

There are 11 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

Start with a free lesson →

Can AI do the work of Paralegals?

Earn a certificate in your job

What AI does, and what stays with you

Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.

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.

Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.

Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.

Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.

Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.

Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.

Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.

Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.

File pleadings with court clerks.

Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.

Short lessons built from these tasks