Description of Paralegal Job Duties

Some duties that seem general to the paralegal/legal assistant career are: researching for cases, preparing reports, writing documents and managing case files. These duties may have different specifics depending on the area of specialization, the employer and the size of the organization. The only things a paralegal can't do within the legal field are tasks that would be considered "practicing law." These tasks would be restricted to a lawyer.

Researching for Cases

Researching for cases may consist of interviewing clients or and others associated with the case, looking through public records, obtaining documents needed for the case, examining evidence in criminal cases, finding precedents and keeping track of laws related to their specialty, and performing inspections. Here's an example of how a general duty may vary depending on area of specialization: an intellectual property paralegal will search through records at the Patent and Trademark Office whereas a corporate paralegal may have to search for name availability of a new business or corporation, but both are searching public records.

Preparing Reports

Reports that may need to be made include reviewing and summarizing documents, summarizing progress made on case to attorney and filing documents per regulations to government agencies. A collections paralegal may have to record entries on a judgment account worksheet. A construction paralegal might be responsible for preparing a financial analysis.

Writing Documents

Paralegals may write documents such as lease or stockholders agreements, contracts between clients and other businesses, and release forms on behalf of businesses and organizations. Paralegals may also be responsible for keeping minutes for meetings, writing letters to the client and other parties, and drafting various types of motions such as change of venue and writ of assistance.

Managing Case Files

Managing case files may consist of creating and maintaining a database of documents from outside contacts or activities of a business, and keeping logs of projects and documents. A litigation paralegal may have to keep up with dates and deadlines. An appellate may be required to keep an index of materials from the court trial.

Not Another Administrative Assistant

A paralegal or legal assistant is not the office worker who is in the background of most of the work. The paralegal or legal assistant works alongside the attorney, is often in the public eye, including in the courtroom, and must be well-versed in the law. However, a paralegal or legal assistant may also be required to perform office work, and should be capable in that area as well.