THE LAWYER & PARALEGAL RELATIONSHIP: HOW IT HELPS US DO OUR BEST WORK
From the inception of the case to settlement or trial, the paralegal anticipates the needs of the attorney on each particular case, relying on their skills at building strong professional relationships and adapting to different working styles. The paralegal and attorney remain in constant communication and coordinate their efforts to ensure that the case progresses as it should.
With any good lawyer-paralegal relationship, there are key characteristics that help the legal team to do their best work:
- The paralegal needs to know the attorney’s work habits and style. How the attorney likes things done. It’s rare that two attorneys want everything handled the same way, so the paralegal taking time to get to know how the attorney likes to communicate, manage their calendar, etc. can make both of their jobs easier.
- The paralegal always needs to be looking ahead. Whether it’s looking at the calendar to see what events are on the horizon, or looking at a case to see what the next steps will be, looking ahead helps ensure that they have time to coordinate with the attorney to gather and prepare any materials the attorney may need. For instance, if there is a deposition coming up, the paralegal should make sure the file is up to date, everything is well organized, that any documents the attorney may need are available and that the attorney has an appropriate amount of time to prepare in advance of the date.
- It is often joked that paralegals need ESP (but it really isn’t a joke.) A paralegal needs to be able to anticipate the needs of the attorney through each stage of the case to ensure the attorney has all of the materials or tools he or she needs before starting to prepare or work on a task. Oftentimes, an attorney may ask for specific items, but when the paralegal starts looking at those materials and anticipates that the attorney may also need additional supporting documents. This forward thinking allows the attorney to prepare more thoroughly and serves as a great reminder that their team is just as invested in the case as they are.
- Attorneys tend to think very analytically, and their thought processes can become very complex. A good paralegal can often balance that with creativity and thinking outside of the box in various scenarios which can help alleviate some of the stress on the attorney by gaining additional perspectives or insights.
- The paralegal is typically the “organizer” who can keep the file and information in an orderly way so that the attorney can find and access anything they need to without wasting time having to dig around looking for it.
- Great attorney-paralegal combinations occur when each of them know the other’s strengths and weaknesses and work together to utilize them effectively and efficiently.
As cases move into litigation, a good lawyer-paralegal relationship is even more critical, due to time-sensitive deadlines, last-minute filing to respond to, and it can quickly get demanding and stressful. A successful legal team is one where everyone works well together under pressure and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and get the best outcome for the client. If you would like to learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.
STEPS TO BECOMING A PARALEGAL
Life as a paralegal means intellectually stimulating and rewarding work that can change lives. However, there are many things to take into consideration when becoming a paralegal. You’ll want to make sure you do your research when deciding what’s best for you. Each state has its own unique requirements for paralegals. However, most states have no specific education requirement. That means you can select the program that’s best for you.
There are a wide range of educational programs available for paralegals. They range from certifications to graduate programs. When considering any education program that right for you, you’ll want to confirm that it is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The ABA sets the legal education standards on a national level. Attending an ABA accredited program will ensure any potential employer that you’ve received a top-notch and comprehensive legal education. A great place to start is with the ABA in order to obtain a list of educational programs. There are also many other paralegal organizations from local to a national level that offer support and guidance.
You may want to consider the area of law that you’d like to specialize in. Each potential employer may set their own specific guidelines or requirements according to their needs. A paralegal’s role can vary greatly depending on the area of law they work in, as well as the culture of the firm and partnering attorneys.
Lastly, a little determination can go a long way. Experience is often considered to be just as desirable as an education. Many paralegals start out in a different position in the legal field and work their way up to paralegal.
