To Whom Does A Paralegal Report
Within a law firm, paralegals usually report to attorneys and lawyers. Some paralegals work for a small, private firm with only one Attorney. They’ll usually work alongside this Attorney, completing lesser jobs related to court matters and other legal responsibilities. This frees up Attorneys’ time and resources to focus on more strategic legal issues.
Other paralegals work for larger law companies that employ multiple attorneys. Paralegals assist numerous Attorneys at once; thus, they should be able to multitask effectively to organize and manage duties for various Attorneys.
What Is The Difference Between A Legal Assistant And A Paralegal?
Though they share many professional responsibilities, and some people use their titles interchangeably, there are a few essential differences between paralegals and legal assistants in terms of education and skill levels. Many paralegals are needed to have a two- or four-year degree, although most Legal Assistants are not obliged to have a post-secondary education. Typically, paralegals have more legal expertise and can handle higher-level jobs, whereas Legal Assistants are primarily responsible for administrative activities.
Paralegals can apply their broad knowledge and skillset to research facts for cases, interview witnesses or other lawyers, and prepare statements or arguments for attorneys to read in court. Legal assistants’ primary responsibilities include filing and organizing papers, scheduling client meetings, and charging customers.
What Kinds Of Paralegals Are There?
There are numerous distinct types of paralegals practicing in various settings. Attorneys use corporate paralegals to help them prepare legal papers like shareholder agreements, stock option plans, financial reports, and employee contracts. Litigation paralegals collect and arrange client papers and do research for a variety of trials. Before a trial, they’ll also prepare settlement agreements and send paperwork to the courtroom.
Some paralegals focus on a specific area of law, such as corporate in-house counsel, family law, personal injury, or real estate law. If they operate within a particular area of the law firm’s specialty, they should have extensive knowledge to execute higher-level jobs.
What Qualities Distinguish An Excellent Paralegal?
To sort, manage, and file numerous client documents on a regular basis, superb paralegals must be organized. They should also have excellent computer abilities, as they will be using several applications to arrange information and input data daily. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required to effectively communicate with clients and attorneys. These written skills will also be required to develop and proofread legal papers.
