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UNIT 3: Introduction to the Legal Profession

UNIT 3: Introduction to the Legal Profession. Paralegals. Paralegal: A qualified person who performs substantive legal work that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer.

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UNIT 3: Introduction to the Legal Profession

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  1. UNIT 3: Introduction to the Legal Profession

  2. Paralegals

  3. Paralegal: A qualified person who performs substantive legal work that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer.

  4. Paralegal: A qualified person who performs substantive legal work that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. • Qualified through • education, • training, and/or • work experience

  5. Paralegal: A qualified person who performs substantive legal work that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. • Performs substantive legal work • requires knowledge of legal concepts.

  6. Paralegal: A qualified person who performs substantive legal work that is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. • Legal work • Customarily performed by a lawyer… • but not exclusively • But be careful: UPL

  7. Paralegal may be retained or employed by a: • lawyer, • law office, • governmental agency or • other entity OR

  8. Paralegal may be authorized to perform certain work by • administrative, • statutory or • court authority

  9. Tasks

  10. Tasks • The specific tasks assigned to paralegals vary according to the area of practice and level of experience and education. • Intake/interview clients • Document gathering, organizing and analysis • Preparation and drafting of forms and documents • Case Management

  11. Litigation Paralegal Tasks • interview witnesses, • analyze and digest legal documents, • perform legal and factual research, • draft pleadings, legal memoranda and briefs, • obtain and manage information to assist in trial preparation, • assist at trial, and • aid in preparing appeals.

  12. Probate Paralegal Tasks • interviewing clients, • arranging for collection, valuing and transferring assets, • administering estate accounts, • analyzing the best treatment of assets and distribution to obtain the greatest tax benefit, and • preparing tax returns.

  13. Corporate Paralegal Tasks • drafting agreements and employee benefits plans, • fulfilling securities reporting requirements, and • conducting patent and trademark searches.

  14. Real Estate Paralegal Tasks • draft transaction documents, • prepare for closings (can be closer in certain circumstances), and • research title and • administrative processes involved in land and environmental use.

  15. Employment Law Paralegal Tasks • draft employee policy and procedures manuals, • help facilitate positions in organized labor campaigns, • prepare position papers, complaints and affidavits indiscrimination cases, and • perform work similar to litigation paralegals.

  16. Four Tasks That Many Paralegals Perform • Communication with clients • Research, both factual & legal • Drafting of letters & legal documents • Case Management

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