PARALEGAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON A TRANSACTIONAL (SHORT) AND LITIGATION (LONG) TERM BASIS. PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS AT (626)203-7228

PARALEGALS CANNOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.

What is a Paralegal?

A Paralegal is a legal professional who works under the supervision of a Lawyer and performs tasks such as legal research, drafting legal documents, and assisting with client communication. Paralegals typically have a certificate or degree in paralegal studies and may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, corporate law, intellectual property law, probate law, or family law. According to information from the American Bar Association (ABA), the presently accepted definition of a Paralegal refers to an individual “qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a Lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a Lawyer is responsible.”

In the State of California §6450 of the Business & Professions Code sets forth the State’s definition of a Paralegal, and articulates the prerequisites to becoming a Paralegal.

What does a paralegal do?

Paralegal work often involves a fair amount of research and litigation-specific paperwork. Individuals with strong research and organizational skills, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of legal work procedures tend to thrive in these roles. Often, Paralegals will also be asked to compile evidence and assist with the filing of appeals. As this work is directly related to actual litigation Paralegals in these positions can usually bill for their time.

While Paralegals do tend to take on more substantive work than other support positions, there are, naturally, some limitations to what they are expected, and allowed, to do. Since Paralegals are not licensed to practice law, they are not permitted to give legal advice, nor are they allowed to sign pleadings, take depositions, or, naturally, represent clients in a courtroom. They can, however, draft discovery notices, interview clients, and prepare certain legal documents pertaining to legal matters and transactions.

Having someone on hand to handle these responsibilities is extremely helpful to law firms with associates and partners whose time is already stretched thin. For this reason, hiring a Paralegal to handle these substantive tasks is extremely helpful, and firms looking for someone to help lighten their Attorneys’ workload may want to consider a Paralegal.

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