NCJ Number
35329
Date Published
1976
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THE POTENTIAL USE OF PARALEGALS IN ATTORNEYS GENERAL'S OFFICES IS EXAMINED IN THIS MANUAL THROUGH AN EXPLORATION OF THE ROLE OF PARALEGALS, THE DUTIES THEY MAY PERFORM, AND THE HIRING AND MANAGEMENT OF PARALEGALS.
Abstract
PARALEGALS ARE DEFINED IN THIS MANUAL AS PERSONS WHO: 1) WORK UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LAWYER; 2) ARE SKILLED IN PROVIDING SOME LEGAL SERVICES; AND 3) PERFORM TASKS THAT HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN PERFORMED BY LAWYERS. A REVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARALEGAL EMPLOYMENT IS PRESENTED WHICH POINTS OUT THE RAPID ACCEPTANCE OF THE USE OF PARALEGALS IN RECENT YEARS. THE KINDS OF WORK THAT PARALEGALS MAY PERFORM AND THE CURRENT PATTERNS IN THE USE OF PARALEGALS IN ATTORNEY'S GENERAL'S OFFICES ARE THEN EXAMINED. AMONG THE POSSIBLE ROLES OF PARALEGALS NOTED IN THE MANUAL ARE THOSE OF INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANT, LEGISLATION ASSISTANT, LITIGATION ASSISTANT, RESEARCH ASSISTANT, CONSUMER PROTECTION WORKER, PRISONER'S RIGHTS ASSISTANT, AND WORK IN HANDLING SECURITIES. PARALEGAL RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, CLASSIFICATION, AND COMPENSATION ARE DISCUSSED IN TURN. FINALLY, POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE USE OF PARALEGALS ARE CONSIDERED. THESE INCLUDE RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER STAFF, SUPERVISION OF PARALEGALS, LIMITS ON PARALEGAL'S ACTIVITIES, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS.