The latest trend in hiring for law firms and in-house legal departments? Hybrid paralegals—these positions bring the greatest value and are in demand. As clients seek legal services at lower costs, the need for multifaceted support staff grows. According to a new survey from staffing firm Robert Half Legal, two thirds of lawyers (66 percent) say blended or hybrid paralegal and legal secretary positions have become more relevant in the last two years.

In the past, there was a clear distinction between the type of legal work assigned to paralegals and the traditional clerical tasks that were assigned to legal secretaries. As client needs evolve and firms focus on greater efficiencies, the hybrid legal support position—that combines administrative tasks with paralegal duties—has become more common. The demand for these roles remain high with law firms and corporations alike.