Paralegal Division
| Publication year | 2015 |
| Pages | 66 |
| Citation | Vol. 28 No. 6 Pg. 66 |
November, 2015
Paralegal Utilization
Julie Emery and Julie Eriksson, J.
Over the past three decades, the paralegal profession has developed to provide solutions to enable lawyers to better practice law, increase law firm profits, facilitate client relationships, improve team and client communication, increase productivity, and create more affordable access to justice. Not all work traditionally performed by lawyers is considered “the practice of law.” Under the correct supervision, a paralegal can enhance your legal team by performing work at a lower rate and free up lawyers to practice law. But how do you utilize your paralegal to reap these benefits?
First, select the right person for the job. Choose a paralegal that has chosen the profession and plans to make it a career. Become familiar with the curriculum from the school where the paralegal received his or her baccalaureate degree, post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate, or master’s degree. The rigor of the curriculum will help you determine the knowledge level the paralegal possesses. In lieu of degrees, become familiar with the relevant work experience the paralegal has to make sure the specific experience is in line with your needs. Also, like any team, be sure the person fits your team dynamic. You will want a paralegal with initiative, whom you won’t have to micromanage.
Second, include the paralegal as part of your legal team from the beginning of the case. In a team environment you will be able to better define the role for your paralegal and then be able to make assignments to the appropriate member of the team. Effective team communication translates to productivity and accuracy. The success of your first team effort will translate to the next. The administrator of a large Salt Lake City firm said,
One of the most important skills in practicing law is building an effective work team to serve clients in the best possible manner and generate profits. Paralegals can be a key element in that team, especially in fostering cost efficiency and providing clients increased contact with your practice through your paralegal.
Third, define substantive work for paralegals in your specific law practice. Most paralegals know the flow of a case and can manage the discovery process with minimal oversight, if allowed. They know who to subpoena records from and the procedures for obtaining them, they know how to...
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