How to Start a Paralegal Service
Most paralegal services are started by experienced paralegals who leave the employment of a single attorney or law firm and decide to start a business offering their services to a variety of legal practices. Since no states formally regulate the paralegal services industry, there aren't any specifics to be attended to regarding the type of business. However, paralegals who offer their services independently must be sure that all the work they perform is done under the direction and overview of an attorney. Otherwise, the paralegal runs the risk of being charged with the unauthorized practice of law.
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Instructions
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Fulfill all state business requirements where you will be setting up shop. This might include things like getting a business license and structuring an appropriate legal entity for your paralegal service. During this stage, you will determine whether you will need office space. Since many paralegal responsibilities can be performed virtually, some freelance legal assistants choose to save money by working from a home office.
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Create a website that describes the paralegal services you will be offering and the fees associated with each task. Legal assistants who concentrate on litigation might offer packages that address the various stages of the process--from drafting a complaint to interviewing witnesses to answering interrogatories to preparing for trial. Your website should be packed with clear, concise information and offer plenty of ways for people to get in touch with you about your services.
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Contact any attorneys you know or have worked with in the past, sending them an introductory letter. Be sure to enclose a copy of your business card that has a link to your website. Another good place to find clients is legal employment ads. Some law firms will choose to use contracted paralegal services to keep up with the work while they are actively looking to fill a permanent position.
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Meet potential clients by networking through professional organizations. There are national and state paralegal associations that help legal assistants keep current on the industry and meet new people. Most state bar organizations also have also have a paralegal membership option. By joining the bar and becoming involved on committees, you'll be naturally able to spread information regarding your business.
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Start and continue to develop a library of commonly used documents. Some of these will be business documents--contracts, agreements, corporate minutes--and some will be standard legal documents that you will use to draft work for the attorneys who use your services.
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Tips & Warnings
The terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
Make sure to research unauthorized practices of law statutes in the states where you will offer paralegal services. It's important to understand the legalities of what an independent paralegal can and can't do.
References
Resources
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