What Does a Paralegal Do?
Although the particulars of the paralegal job description may vary across different legal specializations, most paralegal jobs have common elements.
The paralegal profession is among the fastest growing in the legal sector. A paralegal’s work is often as involved and comprehensive as an attorney’s.
The profession demands an in-depth understanding of the law, but it has far fewer tests and accreditation prerequisites than that of a lawyer. Legal assistants need to be detail-oriented and well-organized, serving as a lawyer’s second-in-command.
Although much of the work consists of research and paperwork, client interaction is a major part of a paralegal’s job.
Paralegals will frequently look after clients, freeing up the attorney to work on other cases. Some work that could be assigned to a paralegal with regard to client interaction includes drafting forms like divorce documents, processing tax returns, setting up legal trusts, and estate planning.
Clients and witnesses are often interviewed by the paralegal when important facts must be collected so information can be passed along to the lawyer in readiness for court if necessary.
Anyone who is wondering what does a paralegal do should know that with certain aspects of legal work that involve litigation, paralegals spend a large part of their time on case preparation.
This might consist of drafting documents, submitting forms to the court, handing administrative formalities, getting any affidavits that are required, fact-checking and organizing written reports, and assisting with organizing the legal arguments, pleas and motions that may be used in the courtroom.
Legal research is also part of litigation and may be part of case preparation. In other areas of law, like estate planning or contract law, research may be more focused on gathering pertinent statutes and precedents.
Legal research mainly necessitates the paralegal gathering, organizing and evaluating legal material, including laws and regulations, court judgements, and other formal papers that the attorney may require.
Another aspect of the paralegal job description is that he or she has to be computer-literate, in order to manage, store and recover data and other files electronically.
Paralegals also maintain a calendar and keep track of important deadlines for the attorney. The timing of legal paperwork being submitted to the court is the heart of the legal process. When a deadline is not met, the entire issue being handled legally is at risk along with the professional standing of the attorney.
In the courtroom, paralegals carry out a helping role by supporting the lawyer, submitting forms and applications to the court, and always keeping the necessary files organized and accessible.
If the attorney needs a certain document, the paralegal accounts for knowing where it is and how to get hold of it immediately.
So what does a paralegal do?
A paralegal performs almost every type of work an attorney does just short of actual litigation. For example, even though paralegals monitor the amount of time allocated to a case, and invoice clients accordingly, they don’t set attorney’s fees, give legal counsel, or present cases in court. These are the tasks of the attorney, and mark the distinction between paralegals and attorneys.
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