- Until 1964, most individual attorneys hired a law clerk and she handled legal correspondence and worked in an accounting capacity. However, the sixties saw an influx of clients who were unable to pay the cost of high legal fees. To remedy the situation, Congress and the American Bar Association (ABA) worked together to decrease the costs of legal services by opening the door for legal assistants to take on a greater workload. In 1971, the ABA suggested general guidelines for all legal assistants.
- Clients pay less to have their legal issues resolved because the attorney charges his hourly wage only for the actual time he works on their case. The lower charges for the supplemental services of a legal paraprofessional for research, interviewing clients and filing documents, reduce the final cost. In addition, legal paraprofessionals are common in Public Defender offices, reducing the amount of money taxpayers must pay for this service.
- Individual attorneys may still choose legal paraprofessionals based upon their own criteria. The ABA devised a standard of Model Guidelines designed as a foundation for legal assistants, but a lawyer is free to hire and train anyone he chooses. Today, however, certification as a paralegal will benefit a person seeking a legal paraprofessional career.
- Although helpful, a degree is not an industry requirement for a legal paraprofessional. Because the individual operates under the license of an attorney, only the attorney can make the final determination as to what educational background and skill levels are necessary for that specific law office. Many legal firms set their own qualification levels. If a paraprofessional makes a mistake, the attorney who signs the final documentation is legally responsible.
- Strict regulation of legal assistants is unlikely due to the liability an attorney faces for their actions, but voluntary industry adherence may increase personal responsibility for those choosing this career field. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) is a large professional trade group that offers educational resources and testing for legal assistants who choose to participate. As more busy attorneys seek NALA-certified paralegals, becoming a member may increase the odds of employment.
