SO WHAT IS A
PARALEGAL?
Debbie Boyd, Charlton Troutner, and Ceney Brenes
PARALEGALS
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INVESTIGATE FACTS OF CASES
INTERVIEW CLIENTS
RESEARCH LAWS AND PAST LEGAL CASES
REVIEW JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND LEGAL
ARTICLES
ANALYZE AND ORGANIZE INFORMATION
PREPARE WRITTEN REPORTS
PREPARE LEGAL DOCUMENTS
DRAFT PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
OBTAIN AFFIDAVITS
ASSIST ATTORNEYS IN TRIAL
WHERE THERE’S A LAW
THERE’S A
PARALEGAL
TORTS
CONTRACTS
PROPERTY LAW
ESTATE LAW
BUSINESS LAW
EMPLOYMENT LAW
FAMILY LAW
CRIMINAL LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
INTERNATIONAL LAW
There are so many new law practices
everyday…laws will always exist and there
will always be
and a need for lawyers and paralegals.
SO WHERE DO YOU FIND A
PARALEGAL?
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COURT SYSTEMS
PRIVATE LAW FIRMS
CORPORATE LEGAL
DEPARTMENTS
INSURANCE COMPANIES
REAL ESTATE AGENCIES
TITLE/ ESCROW FIRMS
BANKS
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HEALTH CARE
ORGANIZATIONS
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS
FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL GOVT. AGENCIES
CONSUMER
ORGANIZATIONS
DOES IT PAY TO PARALEGAL?
(U.S DEPT. OF LABOR STATISTICS) @//www.paralegals.org
EMPLOYMENT FOR PARALEGALS IS PROJECTED TO
GROW MUCH FASTER THAN AVERAGE FOR ALL
OCCUPATIONS THROUGH 2014.
IN MAY 2004, THE MIDDLE 50% EARNED BETWEEN
$31,040 AND $49,950. IN ADDITION TO EARNING A
SALARY, MANY PARALEGALS RECEIVED BONUSES.
Paralegal vs. Attorney at Law
Paralegals must always remember that as
part of the legal profession they are
required to maintain demanding ethical
standards. The following three “keynotes”
( as stated in Intro to Law for Paralegals,
3rd ed. by Currier and Eimermann) are of
special importance to paralegals.
#1 Paralegals are not attorneys and
therefore cannot give legal advice, sign
court documents, or appear in court on
behalf of a client.
To do so is the unauthorized practice of
law, a crime in most states.
#2 Attorneys and their staff must respect
the confidentiality of the client-attorney
relationship. You must treat anything you
learn as a paralegal as confidential
and not discuss it with anyone- even
your spouse or other family member.
#3 Clients expect their attorneys and
staff to be loyal to them. Therefore, if
you change employers, you must alert
your new employer to any cases with with
which you were involved while working
for your former firm. Not to do so means
running the risk of creating a conflict of
interest for the firm.
The Truth, The Whole Truth, And Nothing But The Truth
Information used in this presentation and sources useful in obtaining more information
on the Paralegal profession are as follows:
Introduction to Law for Paralegals by Currier and Eimermann
US Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics @ www.bls.gov
National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. http:/www.nala.org
Standing Committee on Paralegals, American Bar Association, 321 North Clark St.
Chicago Il 60610 http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals
National Federation of Paralegal Association, 2517 Eastlake Ave. East, Suite 200.
Seatt;e. WA 98102 http://www.paralegals.org
American Association for Paralegal Education, 19 Mantua Rd., Mt. Royal, NJ 08061
http://www.asfpe.org
SO YOU WANT TO BE A
PARALEGAL?
SO YOU WANT TO HIRE A
PARALEGAL?
May the law lead you in the
right direction.