MSBA Publications:   Bar Bulletin:   January 2007

Focus -- Paralegal

 Make Your Law Office More Efficient - Hire a Paralegal

By Karen L. Cook

Attorneys often wonder why they should hire paralegal, or, if they do, just what that paralegal can do. The answers to those questions are simple, but the implications of hiring a paralegal can be profound for your law office. Paralegals can improve the efficiency and profitability of a law office because paralegals can literally perform most of the same tasks attorneys perform – but, at reduced rates and reduced salaries. Since paralegals can perform substantive legal tasks at reduced rates, some firms are using paralegals to reduce the cost of legal services to clients and thereby attract more clientele. And since hiring a paralegal is less costly in terms of salary and benefits than hiring a new attorney, firms can increase their staff and their productivity at lower costs.

Today, paralegals are making a real difference in the practice of law. Many of the larger law firms in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., use paralegals extensively to perform substantive legal work. These firms have experienced first-hand the true value of paralegals. Smaller firms and firms in outlying counties are beginning to understand the impact a paralegal professional can have in a law office.


The Basics

Let's start with the basics. What is a paralegal? The American Bar Association (ABA) defines "paralegal" as follows: "A legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." Although the term "legal assistant" is included in this definition, there is often confusion as to the difference between a legal assistant and a paralegal. The ABA indicates that the terms are generally synonymous, but in practicality, at least in Maryland, the title "legal assistant" more often refers to a position that is more administrative or secretarial in nature, whereas the term "paralegal" more often denotes a position that includes more substantive legal work. For this reason, paralegal professionals in Maryland are more likely to respond to positions that are classified as "paralegal."

It is noteworthy that the definition above indicates that one can be classified as a paralegal by "education, training, or work experience." However, since law firms are using paralegals to do substantive legal work, the trend is that lawyers want to hire paralegals with legal educational training. Hiring a paralegal with a bachelor's degree or associate's degree or certificate in paralegal studies ensures that the paralegal is trained in all aspects of legal work.

Although paralegals can receive educational training like attorneys, they are not currently licensed like attorneys, nor are they subject to any other regulatory scheme. However, some states, like California, require a certain level of education of persons using the title "paralegal," and other states are considering state regulation. Last year, the MSBA created the Special Committee on Paralegals, and one of the long-range goals of this Committee is to review the status of state regulatory schemes for paralegals nationwide and determine if such regulation should be imposed for paralegals in Maryland.

Currently, paralegals in Maryland or elsewhere can become "certified" if they complete a voluntary certification process from a professional association that has developed specified levels of professional competency. The National Association of Paralegals (NALA) awards the designation of Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) to persons who have met its requirements, which include a competency exam. In addition, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) awards the designation of (RP) to persons who have met its requirements, which also include passing a competency exam.

The ABA does not certify paralegals; however, the ABA does approve college paralegal programs. Today, more educational institutions are seeking ABA approval for their paralegal programs. Likewise, more lawyers are not only seeking college-trained paralegals, but they are seeking paralegals trained at ABA-approved institutions. Why? Because ABA approval of a paralegal program ensures that the program satisfies rigorous standards of legal education.

Currently, there are only four colleges in Maryland – including two- and four-year institutions – that offer ABA-approved paralegal programs. They are Anne Arundel Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, Harford Community College, and Villa Julie College.


What a Paralegal Can Do

Adding paralegals to your staff can be a real asset to your law practice because of the legal knowledge a paralegal brings to the job. Most lawyers who initially hire a paralegal are surprised at the substantive legal knowledge and skills the paralegal possesses. For the most part, individuals who receive educational training in paralegal studies are trained just like law students.

Trained paralegals can be delegated any task normally performed by a lawyer (except those proscribed by law), as long as the lawyer supervises the work. Trained paralegals are qualified to perform substantive legal work, such as simple and complex legal research; simple and complex legal writing including legal memoranda, motions, and appellate briefs; document writing and preparation, including pleadings and interrogatories; reviewing and organizing client files and trial notebooks; interviewing clients and witnesses; assisting at closings and trials, etc. Note also that some paralegals are becoming trained mediators. This skill, too, can be an asset to a law firm specializing in ADR.


How Paralegals Can Make Law Offices More Profitable

Paralegals can improve the profitability of law offices in numerous ways. Consider these possibilities:

» Paralegal time can be billed out separately to clients and at lower rates,
» Paralegals can be paid less than attorneys, yet handle most of the same tasks (under attorney supervision),
» Client satisfaction can improve due to increased contact with your office through the paralegal, and
» Paralegals generate revenue three times their salary (called the "Rule of Three").

For more information on how a paralegal staff can be a profit center for your practice, read the ABA Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services and the Economic Benefits of Paralegal Utilization. Information on both of these resources can be found at www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals.

The paralegal field is projected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2014. This employment growth results from law offices increasingly hiring paralegals to lower costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services. Private law firms will probably continue to be the largest employers of paralegals, but many other organizations are hiring paralegals in increasing numbers, including corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title companies, banks, and government and consumer agencies. Next time you're considering increasing your legal staff, think about the advantages of hiring a paralegal.



Karen L. Cook, J.D., is a member of the MSBA Board of Governors and the MSBA Special Committee on Paralegals. She is a past president of the Anne Arundel Bar Association and is Coordinator of Legal Studies and Paralegal Internship Coordinator at Anne Arundel Community College.