Chapter One: Legal Team, Law Firm Governance Flashcards
What job titles make up a legal team?
attorneys
administrators
law clerks
librarians
paralegals/legal assistants
secretaries
clerks
Attorney
A licensed professional who counsels clients regarding their legal rights, represents them in litigation, and negotiates agreements between them and other
Partner or Shareholder
An owner in a private law practice who shares in its profits and losses.
Managing Partner
An attorney in a law firm chosen by the partnership to run the firm, make administrative decisions, and set policies.
Associate Attorney
Attorney who is a salaried employee of the law firm, does not have an ownership interest in the firm, does not share in the profits, and has no vote regarding management decisions.
Non-equity Partner
One who does not share in the profits or losses of the firm but may be included in some aspects of management and may be entitled to certain benefits.
Staff Attorney
An attorney hired by a firm with the knowledge and understanding that he or she will never be considered for partnership.
Of Counsel
An attorney affiliated with the firm in some way, such as a retired or semi-retired partner.
Legal Administrators
Persons responsible for some type of law office administrative system, such as general management, finance and accounting, human resources, marketing, or computer systems.
Paralegals
A person, qualified by education, training, or work experience, who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.
Freelance or contract
paralegals
Works as an independent contractor with supervision by and/or accountability to an attorney; is hired for a specific job or period.
Independent legal assistants or legal technicians
Services provided to clients in which the law is involved, but individuals providing the services are not accountable to a lawyer.
Limited license legal technician
In states where legislation has provided, a person qualified by education, training, and work to engage in the limited practice of law in the approved practice area as per the individual state’s rules.
Paralegal Managers
Oversee a paralegal program in a legal organization, including preparing work plans, hiring, training, and evaluating paralegals.
Office Managers
Manager who handles day-to-day operations of the law office, such as accounting, supervision of the clerical support staff, and assisting the managing partner.
