what is a paralegal and what do they do?

Question

I ask this because i am researching Linda McMahon (Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment) and before getting into wrestling she was a paralegal but since i'm scottish and a bit dumb I don't know what it is

for all of you out there who don't get it
i have learning difficulties and it's NOT just because i am Scottish!

Answer 1

a paralegal is a person trained in subsidiary legal matters but not fully qualified as a lawyer.

Answer 2

I know where you are coming from I am in the UK over here they would be called a legal secretary, Have a look at this below.

A paralegal, also known as a legal assistant, performs most everything an attorney does just short of actual litigation.

Paralegals take information from clients when they first visit an attorney's office. They take thorough notes of why the client is at the office, which is passed on to the attorney for further analysis.

They also draft legal documents such as legal correspondence, documents that need to be filed with the court system and interoffice memoranda. These tasks are crucial in the functioning of the legal office. Without these important duties being done in a timely manner, attorneys would have a tougher time getting their job done.

Paralegals also keep a calendar and chart important deadlines that must be met. The timing of documents being filed with the courts, is the crux of the legal system. Once a deadline passes the whole matter being dealt with legally is in jeopardy as is the reputation of the attorney.

When an attorney prepares for a trial the paralegal helps with all the critical planning involved, such as drafting a trial notebook that the attorney will need throughout the trial and preparing exhibits and other documents needed for presentation

Clients and witnesses will be interviewed by the paralegal in a law office. Pertinent facts need to be gathered so information cal be passed along to the attorney in preparation of trial if need be.

Any legal investigations needing to be carried out will be done by the paralegal. Facts about cases will be gathered by interviewing important clients and witnesses about relevant records and data.

All client files need to be maintained in an orderly manner. Without such meticulous attention paid to these tasks by the paralegal, no job would get done in a timely manner.

Legal research can be a significant part of a paralegal's job responsibilities. Research involves searching through court cases via a variety of routes and obtaining related information that will assist the case at hand. With 50 states available to peruse the task is large and very time-consuming. But it can be brilliantly exciting as well.

The smaller the law office, the more tasks the paralegal will be performing that are clerical in nature. This can be good for breaking routines and providing variety. But for a paralegal seeking more of a challenge, a larger law office might provide that with lengthy lists of research and investigations to be done.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Legal assistants and paralegals are individuals who assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Legal assistants and paralegals cannot give legal advice to consumers of legal services. Legal advice may only be relied upon if given by an attorney. All states require attorneys to be licensed and most have statutes imposing penalties for the unauthorized practice of law. The following definition was adopted by the NALA membership in 1986.

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A legal assistant/paralegal cannot give legal advice, represent a client in court, set a fee, or accept a case, which functions are generally considered the practice of law. Working under the supervision of an attorney, the legal assistant's work product is merged with and becomes part of the attorney work product. In communications with clients and the public, the legal assistant' s non-lawyer status must be clear. A legal assistant may perform any function delegated by an attorney, including but not limited to the following:

Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client, so long as the client is aware of the status and function of the legal assistant, and the legal assistant works under the supervision of the attorney.

Locate and interview witnesses.

Conduct investigations and statistical and documentary research.

Conduct legal research.

Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings.

Summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony.

Attend executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings and trials with the attorney.

Author and sign correspondence provided the legal assistant status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinions or legal advice.

Professionally, a paralegal's time for substantive legal work (as opposed to clerical or administrative work) is billed to clients much the same way as an attorney's time, but at a lower hourly rate.

Much more at web page...

Answer 4

it's kind of a research person for the attorney

Answer 5

What does being scottish have to do with intelligance? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralegal

Answer 6

it's two legals......get it? pair a' legal hahahahaaha ouch i hurt myself

Answer 7

I Dunno!!!