What is a Paralegal?

Concept

Paralegals are professionals trained to assist lawyers in various legal capacities. Paralegal duties entail more responsibility than clerical tasks, and fall into a broad range of substantive legal work. Paralegals conduct factual and legal research, draft legal documents, work with clients, and manage cases. Many paralegals are involved in challenging and exciting assignments that would otherwise be performed by lawyers, but paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public unless permitted by law.

paralegal at work

While paralegals work independently most days, the paralegal profession is a people-oriented profession. Paralegals may work in teams with one or more lawyers, paralegals, and legal secretaries as well as communicate with clients, witnesses, and court personnel.

Excellent oral and written communication skills are the key to becoming a great paralegal. Precision in language is a goal. Paralegals must be able to think on their feet, and give or write a complete thought or sentence in a clear, grammatically - correct sentence. Also, computer skills are very important in this stimulating field particularly knowledge of the Microsoft Office products, and good keyboarding and organizational abilities.

Lawyers often can deliver legal services more efficiently and economically with the aid and experience of paralegals, who are also called legal assistants. Paralegals can help gather and manage large amounts of data to assist the lawyer to produce better quality work under pressure.

Attending an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal program is critical to gain the required skills and education to be successful as a paralegal.

Paralegal Duties

Paralegal duties will vary with the employer but generally involve:

Assisting attorneys, also known as lawyers, with research
Searching and checking public records
Interviewing clients, witnesses and others
Collecting, retrieving, and analyzing information
Reviewing medical records
Preparing legal documents and arguments
Summarizing depositions and other documents
Preparing briefs and pleadings
Drafting discovery documents
Managing and organizing cases
Assisting attorneys with trial and its preparation
Drafting wills, deeds and trusts
Assisting with estates in probate, including estate tax returns

Student Aptitudes and Interests

Students who choose the paralegal career should:

Enjoy working in a professional atmosphere
Have above-average written and oral communication skills
Be detail-oriented
Enjoy working with people
Be organized and analytical
Be able to produce quality work under pressure
Have or can easily acquire computer and word processing skills

Attributes of a Successful Paralegal

Pamela Packard, a paralegal and member of American Association for Paralegal Education, formulated the attributes with other seasoned paralegals in Oregon, and Charlotte DesHotels, Program Coordinator at LSU Paralegal Studies Program with contributions from William Goren, and Sally Dahlquist, Inver Hills Community College.

Here is the list of paralegal attributes.

High personal standards and positive work ethics
Self confidence - persistence, assertiveness, initiative, and a self-starter
Intellectual curiosity - dedication to continuing education and skill development, and a "need to know"
Analytical skills - ability to identify the problem, to collect, organize, review, evaluate, and draw conclusions, and to develop strategies
Organizational skills - systems orientation, ability to conceptualize and prioritize, and time management skills
Detailed oriented - passion for accuracy, and follow-through
Oral communication skills
Written communication skills - command of grammar and the English language
Interpersonal "people" skills - team player
Common sense and good judgment
Research skills - legal research and factual investigation
Computer Skills - knowledge of word processing, spread sheet, database, presentation software, litigation support, and internet
Desire and willingness to work in the legal area
Ability to multitask
Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
Participation in Pro Bono work
Ability to speak a second language but not required
Do not provide legal services to the public unless permitted by law. A paralegal instinctively knows when to let the attorney take the lead on legal matters and when an action would constitute the unauthorized and illegal practice of law.

Paralegal Program Goals, Objectives & Intent

The goals, objectives and intent of the Paralegal Program are to develop graduates who are prepared to assume general paralegal responsibilities, and to provide continuing education for presently employed paralegals.

Paralegal courses completed at Inver Hills Community College do not transfer to law school but may transfer to a university to obtain a 4-year, bachelor's degree. See a college counselor or the paralegal program director for information about transfer agreements and options.

American Bar Association Definition

The ABA defines are paralegal as follows:

"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 and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."

ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals
Career Information

Go to the ABA's website to find more career information. Click on career and scroll to the bottom of the page to find a wonderful brochure about becoming a paralegal!

The National Association of Legal Assistants

The NALA site describes what a paralegal is.

National Federal of Paralegals, Inc.

Go to the NFPA for more description of the paralegal career.

Minnesota Paralegal Association

Go to the MPA site to learn how to choose a paralegal program.