paralegal services provide a law firm with legal expertise, efficiency and accuracy. Outsourced paralegals can help a firm save money, time and resources while allowing attorneys to focus on client communication, case preparation, building relationships with clients and other legal work. If your law firm is considering outsourcing, here are some things you should know before making the decision.
Paralegals are highly trained legal professionals who have a wide range of duties and responsibilities. They can do almost everything that a lawyer can, including filing legal documents, conducting research, interviewing witnesses, meeting with clients, writing contracts and memos and preparing trial binders. Many of these jobs can be performed remotely, with the right technology.
One of the most important skills that a paralegal should have is an inherent drive to continuously learn and evolve with the changing demands of the field. The right paralegal can help a lawyer get the most out of his or her practice without sacrificing the quality of their work.
As a paralegal, it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations of the job. For instance, paralegals must be well-versed in attorney-client privilege. If they disclose confidential information or privileged data, they can be terminated from their contract and face legal liability for the breach.
While most paralegals start their career in a large law firm, they can also find employment opportunities at small or midsized businesses and government agencies. This type of setting offers the opportunity to gain diverse legal experience, particularly if you’re willing to work on public-interest cases.
Once a paralegal has gained enough experience, they may decide to specialize in a particular area of law. This is a great way to increase your salary and take more responsibility while gaining a better understanding of the intricacies of that specific practice.
Paralegals can also find jobs at non-profit organizations, where they can contribute their legal expertise to help disadvantaged people or business owners with a variety of legal issues. They can prepare grants and financial applications, conduct due diligence, research laws and regulations and work with other staff members on legal advocacy. In addition, these professionals can also assist with the preparation of tax returns for charitable organizations and foundations. This type of work provides the best opportunities to interact with a diverse group of people and give back to the community. The NALP recommends that paralegals seek out these types of employment opportunities as they become more experienced.