Paralegals are an integral part of the legal profession, tasked with vital responsibilities such as researching and preparing legal documents. To successfully perform duties, they should develop SMART goals to chart their progress.
Having SMART goals can help paralegals work on meaningful tasks and stay on track with their professional development. This article outlines examples of SMART goals for paralegals to achieve career success.
What is a SMART Goal?
As a paralegal, you must create your goals using the SMART goal method. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.
- Specific: Be as detailed as possible in your goal-setting process to create a roadmap that leads you to achieve them.
- Measurable: Paralegals should have a metric to track success over time.
- Attainable: Find that sweet spot where the goals are realistic but still offer an adequate challenge.
- Relevant: To reach your full potential, you must align your goals with your core values. When we have values that drive our decisions, we can move forward and achieve our dreams.
- Time-based: Having an end date will keep you accountable as you strive for success.
Fulfilling these 5 components will help you become a successful paralegal. You’ll take the necessary steps to advance your career further.
13 Examples of SMART Goals for Paralegals
Below you’ll discover several SMART goals examples for paralegals:
1. Enhance Research Skills
“I’ll increase my research skills by taking and completing an online course on legal research methods by the end of 5 months. By expanding my research abilities, I’ll be able to provide more efficient assistance to attorneys and legal teams when researching questions relevant to their cases.”
Specific: This goal is evident as it outlines an achievable plan to increase research skills.
Measurable: You should monitor how close you are to completing the online course.
Attainable: The goal is feasible as the person has given themselves 5 months to complete a research methods course.
Relevant: Having strong research skills will help paralegals in their profession.
Time-based: You will meet this particular goal by the end of 5 months.
2. Improve Client Relationships
“I will work to improve the quality of our client relationships by taking the time to understand their needs and anticipating potential issues before they arise. I will achieve this goal over the four months ahead.”
Specific: This goal outlines a time frame and a specific avenue for improvement.
Measurable: Track your improvements in client relationships over four months.
Attainable: Take time to understand clients’ needs and anticipate potential issues.
Relevant: This is suitable for paralegals because it will help them build better relationships with their clients.
Time-based: The goal should be achieved over the four months ahead.
3. Manage Time Efficiently
“I want to become more efficient in managing my time. To do this, I will track my hours for each project over the following four months and refine how I work to ensure tasks are completed timely.”
Specific: The goal states the objective, what will be done to achieve it, and the timeline.
Measurable: You can track hours for each project to measure how efficiently you work.
Attainable: This goal is achievable as it is realistic to become more efficient at managing time.
Relevant: This is pertinent to increasing productivity in the workplace.
Time-based: There is a four-month deadline for accomplishing this goal.
4. Increase Knowledge of the Law
“To stay up to date with legal trends and changes, I will attend two industry events each year and use that information in my work. My goal is to understand the latest details of legal processes and be able to effectively advise clients on the best course of action in their case.”
Specific: The person aims to stay up to date with legal trends and changes.
Measurable: You will attend two industry events annually and use that information in your work.
Attainable: This is achievable because the person is taking action toward staying informed about changes in the law.
Relevant: The statement is applicable because it helps increase knowledge and keep up to date with the most current legal processes.
Time-based: This is a reoccurring goal that you pursue yearly.
5. Build Your Network
“For 7 months, I will attend at least two industry events to network and build relationships with other paralegals. I want to build a strong professional network and develop contacts to help me in my career.”
Specific: This goal focuses on actively attending industry events and connecting with paralegals.
Measurable: You could count how many industry events you attend each month.
Attainable: Attending two events per month is a doable goal as long as you plan and make the time for it.
Relevant: Building connections is crucial for a successful career as a paralegal.
Time-based: There is a timeline of 7 months set for this goal.
6. Automate Manual Tasks
“I will use technology to automate at least three manual tasks in the office by the end of the quarter. Automation can save us time and effort while improving accuracy, allowing us to focus on more important tasks and create a better experience for our clients.”
Specific: The specific statement outlines which tasks need to be automated and when the goal needs to be achieved.
Measurable: Monitor the progress of automation and how long each task takes.
Attainable: Automation is achievable as long as the right technology is in place and the staff is willing to learn how to use it.
Relevant: Automating manual tasks has numerous benefits, from improving accuracy to saving time and effort.
Time-based: One quarter (3 months) is required to reach this particular goal.
7. Communicate Effectively
“For 8 months, I’ll read up on the best practices for effective communication and apply them in all my interactions with colleagues, clients, and supervisors. I want to become an excellent communicator who can convey information with clarity, accuracy, and positivity.”
Specific: This goal involves reading up on the best practices for communication and then applying them in work interactions.
Measurable: One can measure their improvement in communication by regularly assessing interactions with colleagues, clients, and supervisors.
Attainable: The goal statement is achievable with research and practice.
Relevant: Excellent communication skills are essential for a paralegal, so this goal is highly relevant.
Time-based: You should anticipate goal achievement in 8 whole months.
8. Develop Writing Ability
“I’ll increase my written communication skills by joining a writing group, taking a writing class, or hiring a professional editor to review my work for 6 months. I want to ensure that all my legal documents, contracts, and briefs are written with exceptional accuracy and clarity.”
Specific: You have several options: joining a writing group, taking a class, or hiring an editor.
Measurable: Ensure you follow the three listed action items to succeed.
Attainable: Assuming that you make the necessary commitment, this is a reasonable goal.
Relevant: This relates to your primary objective of improving your writing skills.
Time-based: You should expect goal attainment within 6 months.
9. Increase Productivity Levels
“I want to increase my productivity levels over the next 6 months by 10%. I will create a plan that outlines what actions and strategies I can take each month to reach this goal. I’ll make sure to include regular check-ins with my team and myself to track progress.”
Specific: The SMART goal is clear. You’ll strive to increase your productivity level by 10%.
Measurable: Create a plan that outlines the specific actions they need to take and track progress.
Attainable: This is realistic and achievable with time, effort, and dedication.
Relevant: The goal is appropriate for the individual’s desire to increase productivity.
Time-based: You have 6 months to boost productivity by 10%.
10. Leverage Technology
“I want to become proficient in using technology to facilitate my paralegal tasks. By the end of the year, I’ll have learned to use two new software programs related to my job and will practice using them regularly.”
Specific: The goal of learning to use two software programs is concrete.
Measurable: The person can assess their proficiency in the software programs.
Attainable: This goal is absolutely doable with practice and effort.
Relevant: Learning to use technology to facilitate paralegal tasks is relevant to the role.
Time-based: You have until the end of the year for goal completion.
11. Accelerate Your Career Growth
“To increase my knowledge and skills and accelerate my career growth, I’ll complete two legal certifications in the next 8 months. I’ll continue my education and stay up-to-date on new laws and regulations.”
Specific: This goal outlines what you need to do (complete two legal certifications) and how long it will take (8 months).
Measurable: You could count the certifications you’ve completed.
Attainable: Completing two legal certifications within the deadline is possible with enough hard work and dedication.
Relevant: Building up your knowledge and skills will help you grow in your career.
Time-based: Goal completion is expected for 8 months.
12. Promote Your Law Firm
“I’ll strive to create and promote a marketing plan for our law firm within 5 months that increases our visibility in the community, encourages referrals and new business, and demonstrates our expertise in the legal field.”
Specific: The goal is well-defined, detailing the objective and how it will be met.
Measurable: Look at the number of referrals, new business, and inquiries about your firm.
Attainable: This is achievable through several marketing strategies and tactics, such as creating a website, using social media, and attending networking events.
Relevant: This goal relates to the firm’s success, as increased visibility and knowledge about your services can lead to more referrals and new business.
Time-based: There is a 5-month timeline for accomplishing this goal.
13. Learn to Manage Your Stress
“I will learn a few effective stress management tools and apply them regularly to reduce my work-related stress levels. I want to manage my stress better to stay focused and productive. I plan to find a system that works for me within the next three months.”
Specific: The goal is to find one stress management tool and implement it regularly.
Measurable: Determine how often you use the stress management tool and compare it to your stress levels before its implementation.
Attainable: Learning how to manage your stress is a realistic goal that can be accomplished within the given timeline.
Relevant: Stress management is essential for a paralegal to stay focused and productive.
Time-based: Try to find and implement a system in three months.
Final Thoughts
SMART goals allow paralegals to reflect on their professional development, identify areas for improvement, and strive to improve their field. They provide a structure of accountability and guide decision-making processes.
By setting realistic goals, paralegals can work towards the success of their law firms and grow as professionals. The examples above will give paralegals a better understanding of implementing the SMART strategy into their day-to-day work.
