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Entry Level Paralegal Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... financial services, paralegal skills, accounts payable, accounting, administrative support ... Entry Level Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Winchester, VA.

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Entry Level Paralegal information

See Virginia salary details

$33.2K

$48.9K

$68.9K

How much do entry level paralegal jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level paralegal in Virginia is $48,920.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,600.00 and $54,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level paralegal?

Entry level paralegals are professionals who assist attorneys with legal tasks such as drafting documents, conducting research, organizing files, and preparing for trials, typically at the beginning of their paralegal careers. They usually have completed a paralegal studies program or hold a relevant degree, but may have little to no prior legal work experience. Entry level paralegals gain on-the-job training and are often supervised closely by attorneys or senior paralegals as they learn the practical aspects of legal work.

What does an entry level paralegal do?

An entry-level paralegal performs research and provides legal support to attorneys. As an entry-level paralegal, your job is to assist one or more attorneys at your firm with a variety of legal research and administrative tasks. You prepare and file legal documents, handle communication with clients, and study statutes and precedents in the law. If the attorneys at the law firm you work for specialize in a particular area of the law, then you must familiarize yourself with the specifics of that legal subspecialty, such as personal injury, family law, criminal defense, corporate law, and estate and probate law.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level paralegal?

To thrive as an Entry Level Paralegal, you need strong research, writing, and organizational skills, typically supported by a paralegal certificate or an associate degree in paralegal studies. Familiarity with legal research databases (such as Westlaw or LexisNexis), document management systems, and Microsoft Office is often required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate legal support, efficient workflow, and effective collaboration within a law firm or legal department.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level paralegals, and how can they be effectively managed?

Entry level paralegals often encounter challenges such as managing multiple deadlines, learning to navigate legal technology platforms, and adapting to the fast-paced environment of a law firm or legal department. To manage these issues, strong organizational skills and proactive communication with supervising attorneys are essential. Seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues and taking advantage of training opportunities can also help new paralegals build confidence and improve efficiency. Over time, familiarity with case management systems and legal procedures will make these challenges more manageable.

What is the difference between Entry Level Paralegal vs Legal Assistant?

AspectEntry Level ParalegalLegal Assistant
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or paralegal certificateHigh school diploma or associate's degree, no certification required
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal departments, courts
Job ResponsibilitiesLegal research, document preparation, case organizationAdministrative support, scheduling, client communication

While both roles support legal teams, Entry Level Paralegals typically handle more substantive legal work like research and document drafting, requiring specific paralegal credentials. Legal Assistants focus more on administrative tasks and may not need formal legal training. The roles often overlap, but the paralegal position generally involves more legal responsibilities and credentials.

Can you be an entry level paralegal with no legal experience?

Entry level paralegals often do not require prior legal experience, as they typically receive on-the-job training and may have a relevant associate's degree or certification. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with legal software can help candidates qualify for these roles without previous legal work experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Paralegal jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Paralegal jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Paralegal jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Paralegal jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Paralegal jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Paralegal job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Paralegal jobs in VA?

For Entry Level Paralegal jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Paralegal job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,920 per year, or $23.5 per hour.

Full-time

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Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Legal Assistant
Employment Type: Full-Time, Entry Level
Department: Legal
 
As a CGS Legal Assistant, you will work under the direction of a Supervisory Paralegal or Project Supervisor. You will provide litigation and administrative support to a group of United States Attorneys. CGS brings motivated, highly skilled, and creative people together to solve the government's most dynamic problems with cutting-edge technology. To carry out our mission, we are seeking candidates who are excited to contribute to government innovation, appreciate collaboration, and can anticipate the needs of others. Here at CGS, we offer an environment in which our employees feel supported, and we encourage professional growth through various learning opportunities.
 
Skills and attributes for success:
The Contractor shall provide two legal assistants to perform the following job duties to support attorneys, investigators, and paralegals:
Provide a variety of direct legal support assistance services to include:
- Receive and review incoming material and independently determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., charging instruments, motions, orders, pleadings, deposition notices, trial subpoenas and grand jury subpoenas. In preparation of documents, considers the nature and the status of the case involved.
- Proofread and edit drafts of legal documents such as motions, orders, correspondence, discovery requests and responses, and other pleadings. Complete variable aspects of preparing recurring legal documents that conform to the rules governing their style and format.
- Electronically file documents on behalf of and at the directive of the attorneys with the appropriate state or federal court, applying knowledge of local court rules and practices.
- Provide assistance with trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks and witness and exhibit lists.
- Prepare and track grand jury subpoenas and returns. Aid in processing and organizing legal data and other supportive material. Organize, process and copy documents in accordance with requirements. Assemble record materials for court filings.
- Compose original letters that require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology, e.g., transmittal of pleadings, requests for extensions of time in certain cases, advising of actions taken or developments in cases referred by other federal departments and agencies, and notices to attorneys representing defendants.
 
Provide a variety of ancillary office support functions requiring some subject-matter knowledge of the United States Attorneys programs and operations. Typical assignments may include the following:
- Perform docketing duties such as opening, updating and closing cases through use of the automated case tracking system. As necessary, searches database for required information.
- Obligate funds for litigation expenses and monitors for continued necessity.
- Review bills and invoices and submits to budget office for payment.
- Maintain calendar of assigned active cases. Track filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews. Develop and maintain suspense system for ongoing cases and informs the attorneys of pending dates and deadlines. Maintain calendar(s) of the attorney(s), scheduling appointments, interviews, and conferences, and provides reminders of commitments and court appearances.
- Assemble the physical files and electronic files for new cases by filing materials in chronological order, preparing and printing conflict of interest sheets for assigned attorneys, and numbering the initial case materials and discovery. Upon receipt, send additional discovery to outside parties as directed by the assigned attorney.
- Prepare files for closing by putting the documents in chronological order, ensuring that the relevant documents are in the file, and prepare a closing sheet for the assigned attorney's signature.
- Receive visitors, answer telephone and refer callers to staff members or take messages as appropriate. Deliver to and retrieve papers from the federal courthouse. Furnish requested information concerning pending and closed matters and cases, functions and general procedures of the office. Determine which matters should be referred to the AUSA and the urgency of the matter.
- Attend meetings and trainings as may be required and appropriate.
- Produce a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Access, Adobe Acrobat Professional or other databases. For example, assignments may include integrating output from different software types, e.g., tables produced by database applications and charts and graphs produced by electronic spreadsheet applications, into word processing or desktop publishing text. Products include complicated tables, graphs and charts, which may be incorporated into legal documents or courtroom presentations. Ensures all documents contain the proper format, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar.
- When appropriate, provide automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations, including transcribing dictation. Utilize various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters. Prepare documents, charts, and visual materials used in trials. Provide technical support e.g., enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
 
Qualifications:
- At least one year of specialized litigation experience required, however over three years is preferred.
- Specialized experience is defined as experience reviewing legal documents such as complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, subpoenas, and libels for completeness of information; retrieving and assembling information for hearing and/or trial use, researching a variety of legal sources to obtain and/or verify information; maintaining file systems; and using automated software to produce legal related reports, documents, correspondence and related materials. 
- Requires excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Should have hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.
- Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure will be very important.
- Ability to obtain a Public Trust Security Clearance
 
Our commitment:
Contact Government Services (CGS) strives to simplify and enhance government bureaucracy through the optimization of human, technical, and financial resources. We combine cutting-edge technology with world-class personnel to deliver customized solutions that fit our client's specific needs. We are committed to solving the most challenging and dynamic problems.
 
For the past seven years, we've been growing our government contracting portfolio, and along the way, we've created valuable partnerships by demonstrating a commitment to honesty, professionalism, and quality work.
 
Here at CGS we value honesty through hard work and self-awareness, professionalism in all we do, and to deliver the best quality to our consumers mending those relations for years to come.
 
We care about our employees. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive benefits package.
- Health, Dental, and Vision
- Life Insurance
- 401k
- Flexible Spending Account (Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter)
- Paid Time Off and Observance of State/Federal Holidays
 
Contact Government Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
 
Join our team and become part of meaningful government innovation!
 
Explore additional job opportunities with CGS on our Job Board:
https://cgsfederal.com/join-our-team/
 
For more information about CGS please visit: https://www.cgsfederal.com or contact:
Email: [email protected]
 
#CJ
$45,000 - $53,000 a year
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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