Also called legal assistants, paralegals are individuals who have been educated and trained to assist lawyers as well as other professionals working in a legal environment. Paralegals are vital in the field of legal services, as they have important roles in the legal process. A couple of the duties that paralegals have include: doing the research needed for court dates such as closings, hearings, and trials; and drafting and filing of different types of legal forms and documents such as wills and contracts.