Paralegal Intern Daily Tasks
A paralegal intern's day usually starts with checking in with their supervising paralegal for the day's assignments, then working through a queue of smaller tasks like scanning a new client's documents, pulling two or three cases for a research question, or proofreading a draft letter before it goes out.
Most interns work standard business hours or a set schedule built around their classes, though hours can stretch before a trial or a big filing deadline when every extra set of hands counts. The interns who do well are the ones who ask clarifying questions before starting an assignment, keep a running list of deadlines, and double-check their work so attorneys aren't fixing the same mistake twice.
Paralegal Intern Qualifications and Skills
Since most paralegal interns are still in school, look for a solid foundation in legal tools and work habits rather than a long track record.
Paralegal Intern Experience Requirements
Most paralegal internships don't require prior legal experience, since the whole point is to give students their first exposure to law office work. Relevant coursework, such as legal research and writing or civil procedure, often counts as enough preparation for a general internship. For a more advanced internship, it's reasonable to ask for one prior legal internship or a few months in a law office.
Experience outside of law can be just as useful. Candidates who have worked in customer service, office administration, or records management already know how to handle phones, files, and deadlines. If your firm focuses on a specific area, like immigration or personal injury, a candidate with related volunteer work or language skills may be worth more than one with general legal experience.
Paralegal Intern Education and Training Requirements
The minimum requirement for most paralegal internships is current enrollment in a paralegal certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree program, or recent graduation from one. Many firms prefer students from an ABA-approved paralegal program, and some schools require an internship to complete the degree, which can help you find candidates.
Certifications aren't required for interns, but advanced candidates may be preparing for the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) exam or the NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE). On-the-job training is standard for this role, so expect to teach interns your firm's software, filing procedures, and document templates during their first few weeks.
Paralegal Intern Salary Range
In the United States, the typical salary for a paralegal intern in 2026 ranges from approximately $2,971 to $4,540 per month, with a national average around $3,673 per month. This translates to an average of $21 per hour based on a standard full-time schedule. Pay varies depending on location, the intern's year in school, firm size, and practice area, with higher rates often found in large metropolitan areas and at corporate or government legal departments.
(Updated October 6, 2026)
Paralegal Intern FAQs
Do paralegal interns have to be paid?
In most cases, yes. Under the U.S. Department of Labor's "primary beneficiary" test, a for-profit law firm can only offer an unpaid internship if the intern, not the firm, gets the main benefit, which usually means it's tied to academic credit and the work doesn't replace a paid employee.
If your intern will be doing billable or revenue-supporting work, plan to pay at least minimum wage. Nonprofits and government offices have more room to offer unpaid positions, but check your state's rules too.
What does a paralegal intern do?
A paralegal intern is a temporary, training-focused position, usually filled by a student. A legal assistant is a permanent staff role that mostly handles administrative and clerical work for attorneys.
Who should a paralegal intern report to?
A paralegal intern typically reports to a senior paralegal or a single supervising attorney. Naming one point person matters, because interns who take assignments from five people at once tend to miss deadlines and get mixed instructions.
The supervisor should hand out assignments, review all work before it leaves the office, and sign off on any school evaluation forms.
Can a paralegal intern work remotely?
Yes, many firms now offer remote or hybrid paralegal internships, especially for research, drafting, and document review. It works best when the firm already runs on cloud-based case management and e-signature tools.
The tradeoff is less informal learning, since remote interns miss out on overhearing how attorneys handle calls and clients. Scheduled check-ins and clear written instructions help close that gap.
