Types of Firms and Jobs Flashcards
Litigation
By far the largest area of practice. Tasks include drafting discovery documents and pleadings, conducting investigation, arranging for service of process, setting trial dates and depositions, drafting deposition questions, interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, etc.
Construction Defect
A lot of coordinating discovery documents. Also arranging for depositions and destructive testing of buildings to determine the techniques and materials used in construction.
Personal Injury
Similar to standard litigation positions, but also likely to obtain medical records, arrange for expert medical testimony, and possibly perform some initial accident scene photography. Any medical experience is helpful.
Bankruptcy
You commonly sit in on initial client meetings, prepare bankruptcy documents, meet with the client often, and do a significant amount of legal research.
Transactional or Contract
A lot of drafting contracts and other agreements. Paralegals may be expected to track the performances of one or more parties who have entered into an agreement.
Incorporation
A document-intensive specialty, preparing annual reports and lists of officers. Must have excellent long-term calendaring skills so that corporations do not fall dormant.
Immigration
Valued positions if you speak multiple languages. Common tasks include interviewing clients, legal research, assisting clients with form completion, and acting as a translator.
Real Estate
Attorneys employ paralegals to conduct title searches, file titles with courts, and draft leases or other documents.
Probate and Estate
Paralegals are used to conduct legal research, draft wills and trusts, meet with clients, contact family members, conduct skip-traces, monitor and maintain trusts, and open probate in the appropriate courts.
Criminal Law
Handle communication with detained clients and with the prosecutor’s office, and obtain law enforcement records. Strong legal researchers.
Administrative Agency Representation
Involves assisting clients who need to present a claim, defense, or proposal to an administrative agency. Administrative agencies are not courts and thus do not require that a representative in these proceedings be an attorney. Ex: SSA or VA.
Law Office Manager or Administrator
Not technically a paralegal position. Duties may include hiring and firing, ordering supplies, distributing work assignments, etc. Often a hybrid role at smaller firms.
Courts
Some paralegals are hired as law clerks for judges. In this role, the paralegal conducts legal research, draft orders, checks citations, and helps to set hearings and trials.
Office of the Mayor or Governor
Positions last only as long as the individual remains in office. Specialized duties include tracking legislative activity, drafting proposed legislation, coordinating travel and meeting schedules, arranging for special recognition of citizens, and monitoring the press.
FBI
They hire paralegals to work at headquarters in DC and field offices throughout the US. You would be employed to assist attorneys acting as their legal counsel. Asset-forfeiture divisions employ paralegals to assist in title searches, property seizure documentation, and preparation of court documents.
Prosecutors
DAs hire paralegals to prepare correspondence, draft pleadings and motions, research legal matters, and communication with other government agencies.
Social Services
Departments employ legal assistants to appear at administrative hearings, prepare documents related to child welfare, conduct research, and monitor children in foster-care situations.
Government Agencies
Many standard duties. In some cases, paralegals represent the agency and the agency’s position. In many administrative settings, attorneys may not need to be present.
Corporations
Most large corporations have legal counsel and employ paralegals. Corporate salaries are usually higher than those in law firms or government positions and benefits are usually excellent. Duties vary.
Real Estate Offices
Sometimes employ paralegals to conduct title searches, file titles with courts, and communicate with outside counsel.
Hospital Administrative Offices
Hospitals employ paralegals for standard duties, as well as for sanitizing hospital records, responding to discovery requests, and communicating with insurance companies.
Insurance Companies
These document-intensive companies use paralegals to review policies, request documentation of damages, and fulfill many standard paralegal duties.
Political Action Committees and Campaigns
Help monitor the press and opposition campaigns, conduct opposition research, and track donations to ensure compliance with federal election laws.
Investigative Positions
Paralegal education can benefit getting an investigator license. Some larger agencies hire paralegals to conduct research, communicate with client attorneys, assist in skip searches, monitor jury panels, and interview witnesses.
Small Business Owners
Paralegal skills can help those wishing to become small business owners. Individuals can conduct simple legal tasks and create legal documents for his or her own business.
Freelance Paralegals
Such paralegals specialize in document preparation and assisting clients with forms. Sometimes this requires legal judgement, and they need to be cautious not to engage in unauthorized practice of law. Freelancers can also work for firms, often at a higher rate.
Paralegal Firms
Typically, several paralegals form a company, hiring an attorney to review their work. Commonly prepare wills, draft contracts and leases, and appear at administrative hearing and in small claims courts where paralegal representation is allowed.
