Bar Bulletin: Utilization of Paralegals, Generally and in Specialized Areas

Utilization of Paralegals, Generally and in Specialized Areas
By Karen J. Fry

Many paralegals are asked why they did not go to law school, as if they sold themselves short when choosing the paralegal profession. Paralegals provide a very valuable service to the legal community, however, and this relatively new career path has proven its worth to the legal community and to the clients they serve.

Availability to clients is the best service paralegals provide. Few things irk a client more than an unreturned telephone call. The paralegal can return calls without delay. Immediate attention assures the client that their legal needs will be handled promptly and efficiently. Time and money can be saved when the paralegal obtains the details from the client and then presents the issues to the attorney in a clear and concise matter. Unlike attorneys who must spend time away from the office, paralegals are generally in the office and can offer immediate assistance.

As an example, estates and trust paralegals can extend prompt compassion and understanding to a person experiencing a difficult loss while addressing simple estate administration questions and concerns from the client. The client can discuss various administrative concerns with the paralegal without worrying that the legal bills are mounting. Estates and trust paralegals handle a myriad of administrative matters, such as transferring a car title, arranging for an appraisal, retitling assets, or preparing documents to be reviewed by the attorney and filed with the court. A paralegal’s billing rates are lower than an attorney’s, and an experienced paralegal can save a client a considerable amount in legal fees.

Paralegals can allow attorneys to concentrate on strategy and business development while the paralegals take care of the details. Paralegals can deal with difficult clients who may not have legal issues to resolve but require attention. A seasoned paralegal learns over time when it is necessary to involve the attorney and when the matter can be resolved by the paralegal. Paralegals are careful to never cross the line into practicing law; they work under the supervision of an attorney and often allow the attorney to do a better job.

Another valuable contribution is the paralegal’s development of professional relationships with various companies outside the law firm. This would include, for example, court clerks, banking managers, court reporters, copy services, appraisers, process servers and investigators. A skilled paralegal can save the client money and free up the attorney’s time by working with these contacts.

A crucial trait to being an effective and efficient paralegal is the willingness to be a team player and to jump in and do whatever is necessary. That may mean hand-delivering documents to a client, troubleshooting the temperamental copier, or running to the courthouse to research a case or obtain copies. While paralegals are important billing entities within the law firm, they can also handle non-billable matters that would otherwise tie up the attorneys’ time. Paralegals can keep client files organized and current, and their organizational skills can be of great assistance at trial.

Paralegals can also be a valuable asset by keeping an accurate calendar of deadlines, court dates, depositions and meetings. They can also assist with various accounting duties, such as trust distributions, bank reconciliations and check writing. They can also maintain stock brokerage account information.

In conclusion, paralegals have proven to be a valuable component of a legal team that can benefit attorneys and their clients.