| Paralegals, also called legal assistants, perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. They perform a variety of duties that in the past were handled by attorneys. The attorney has ultimate responsibility for any legal work, and paralegals are not allowed to engage in the practice of law. They cannot give legal advice or present cases in court.
Training
Most paralegals receive basic legal training through paralegal education programs, but a few schools offer bachelor's and master's degrees in paralegal studies. Some employers train paralegals on the job. Certificate programs are also available, which provide paralegal training for persons with college degrees. Computer skills and knowledge of software programs are important for performing paralegal work.
Tasks Performed by Paralegals
Paralegals assist lawyers in many ways. They investigate the facts of a case and gather documents. They perform legal research to retrieve relevant laws and court opinions. Paralegals often help prepare documents such as probate and tax forms. They help draft contracts and separation agreements. If a lawsuit is filed, paralegals can help draft pleadings and organize files and documents for trial under the direction of an attorney.
Types of Employment
Most paralegals work in law firms, legal departments of corporations, and government offices. Litigation, probate, real estate, criminal law, bankruptcy, corporate law, and family law are some of the areas of law in which paralegals assist lawyers.
Standards of Conduct
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., and the National Association of Legal Assistants have adopted codes of ethics and professional responsibility which set standards for paralegal conduct. For example, a paralegal or legal assistant has a duty to preserve all confidential information provided by the client.
Copyright 2010 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. |