If you want excitement and intrigue, perhaps you may want to consider a criminal justice career as a paralegal or legal assistant. Every law office should have a paralegal. They are the lawyer's right hand, making their lives easier and more convenient. If you're still wondering what a paralegal is supposed to do, then read on.
The legal assistant as the name suggests is there to assist the lawyer. Another thing that needs to be noted is that paralegals are not allowed to give any form of legal advice or do a lawyer's tasks. Everything a paralegal does is monitored by the lawyer. Here are some of the things a paralegal can do while under the wings of a lawyer.
One thing paralegals can do is conduct interviews with clients. But before the interview begins, the client must be informed that they would be speaking to a paralegal. This is simply a case of the legal assistant talking to the client so that the lawyer can discern whatever needs to be discerned regarding the case. This saves the lawyer valuable time. After all, what lawyer wouldn't want some extra time to think over a case?
A legal assistant is also tasked to track down witnesses and interview them. Probably the most well-known paralegal in pop culture is Erin Brockovich, as masterfully played by Julia Roberts. In one of the scenes, she clearly states that she is not a lawyer. This underlines the point above that paralegals cannot give legal advice. The scene is also a strong identifying badge for anybody who sees himself/herself as such.
Legal assistants can research and prepare legal documents. Paralegals do acquire the training and experience necessary to prepare legal documents. The lawyer, acting as a supervisor, would only be tasked to look at the documents to see if they fulfill all applicable legal requirements. This is a valuable timesaver to the lawyer.
A paralegal can show up at a trial. Their duty would be to assist the lawyer with the files for the case. This way the lawyer is not fumbling in court looking for files or evidence. It is the paralegal's job to keep the lawyer's papers in order.
Exciting, isn't it? Think of all the intriguing things that can be involved in a legal case. As a paralegal, you may not be the star of the show, but it is an indispensable job nonetheless.
The legal assistant as the name suggests is there to assist the lawyer. Another thing that needs to be noted is that paralegals are not allowed to give any form of legal advice or do a lawyer's tasks. Everything a paralegal does is monitored by the lawyer. Here are some of the things a paralegal can do while under the wings of a lawyer.
One thing paralegals can do is conduct interviews with clients. But before the interview begins, the client must be informed that they would be speaking to a paralegal. This is simply a case of the legal assistant talking to the client so that the lawyer can discern whatever needs to be discerned regarding the case. This saves the lawyer valuable time. After all, what lawyer wouldn't want some extra time to think over a case?
A legal assistant is also tasked to track down witnesses and interview them. Probably the most well-known paralegal in pop culture is Erin Brockovich, as masterfully played by Julia Roberts. In one of the scenes, she clearly states that she is not a lawyer. This underlines the point above that paralegals cannot give legal advice. The scene is also a strong identifying badge for anybody who sees himself/herself as such.
Legal assistants can research and prepare legal documents. Paralegals do acquire the training and experience necessary to prepare legal documents. The lawyer, acting as a supervisor, would only be tasked to look at the documents to see if they fulfill all applicable legal requirements. This is a valuable timesaver to the lawyer.
A paralegal can show up at a trial. Their duty would be to assist the lawyer with the files for the case. This way the lawyer is not fumbling in court looking for files or evidence. It is the paralegal's job to keep the lawyer's papers in order.
Exciting, isn't it? Think of all the intriguing things that can be involved in a legal case. As a paralegal, you may not be the star of the show, but it is an indispensable job nonetheless.
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