Paralegal

Also known as legal assistants, paralegals are individuals whose job it is to assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Paralegals are not lawyers although they may be knowledgeable about the law. They are not allowed to give legal advice to clients or consumers of legal services, much less engage in the practice of law.

According to one definition, “paralegals are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.”

In 1997, the American Bar Association adopted this definition of the legal assistant:

“A legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

Background of the Profession

The concept of paralegals and legal assistants only began to develop in the late 1960s. Around that time, law firms and individual practitioners were trying to find ways to improve the delivery of legal services. By employing the help of legal assistants, they were able to make efficient and more cost effective the delivery of legal services to clients.

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Other factors also entered the picture, including the growing volume of work due to increased public awareness of legal remedies. This led to development of the modern concept of legal assistants known today.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections, the paralegal profession is projected to grow by 33% during the first ten years of 2000 – an average growth rate as compared with other professions.

What They Do

As earlier mentioned, the paralegal or legal assistant is prohibited from practicing law without a license. This prohibition includes the giving of legal advice (for a fee), representing a client in court, setting a fee, or accepting a case.

The paralegal works under the supervision of an attorney. As such, his work is merged and becomes part of the whole attorney work product.

A lawyer may delegate some of his work and responsibilities to a paralegal, but when working with a client, it must be made clear to the client concerned that the legal assistant is a non-lawyer.

His work may include conducting client interviews and maintaining general contact with the client. He is also responsible for locating and interviewing witnesses and conducting investigations, statistical and documentary research, as well as conducting legal research.

Moreover, the paralegal may also be in charge of drafting legal documents, correspondence and pleadings, as well as summarize depositions, interrogations and testimony.