Role of Paralegals in the Law Firm Office
Toutant, C. (2006, September) Paralegal billing gaining impetus at local firms.
New Jersey Law Journal [electronic version]
Today's paralegal has become an integral part of an efficient and effective law office. Lawyers are realizing that paralegals are essential to their practice and in keeping legal workloads manageable. It started in the late 1960s, as the demand and costs for legal services began to escalate, that law firms and individual practitioners started looking for a way to improve their practices' efficiency and provide a more cost-effective method of delivering their services. That goal was accomplished through the employment of paralegals who could take on a wide range of tasks, such as assisting in the preparation of legal procedures, investigating case facts, analyzing and organizing information, drafting contracts and legal documents, and preparing written reports. This lifted the routine, time-consuming, but necessary, tasks off the shoulders of lawyers, resulting in the reduction of some legal fees, an increase in clients, and the ability to focus on the actual practice of law.
Daks, M.C. (2006, October 27).
How to turn paralegals into franchisees.
New Jersey Law Journal [electronic version].
Since July 1986, Paralegal Services of Allenhurst has been matching freelance paralegals with New Jersey-area attorneys. Now, it is expanding the business into a nationwide franchise system, essentially by giving paralegals working for firms a model to become independent contractors. Last month, it changed its name to Paralegal Services USA and now offers training, branded materials, advertising and other services for paralegals who want to go on their own.
The market for independent-contractor paralegals seems wide open. And there is a business model that is succeeding in a consumer context. We the People USA Inc., a subsidiary of Dollar Financial Corp., which markets paralegal services to the public, generated about $3.8 million in franchise revenue last year, according to the company's Form 10-K annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Miller, L. (2005) Outsource paralegal work. Trial 41(10), 72-73.
Increasingly, paraprofessionals are going freelance or by contract hours. With a salaried paralegal, if there is a break in the work, he or she may have to do clerical work because there is nothing else to do. A contract paralegal, however, can take on short-term, long-term, per-diem, or per-case projects, depending on what is needed by commissioned assignment. The person is paid only when billing, without the overhead, benefits, or taxes. Contract paralegals can assist with litigation preparation, covering employee absences, and overflow work. Anoutside paralegal can help prepare documents and keep cases moving. A paralegal who is familiar with files can maximize a firm's productivity and minimize costs -- without interrupting the continuity of your work.
Jevahirian, L.S. (2006, December 4). Commentary: How should your paralegal behave.
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