Although legal and paralegal can be used interchangeably, they have key differences in their roles and responsibilities, not to mention their qualifications. In addition, they have distinct focuses and levels of expertise. Thus, you have to understand these differences to help you clarify the specific skills and duties that each role entails.
Paralegal: scope of work and responsibilitiesÂ
The main distinction between these professions lies in the scope of their work and the responsibilities, as well as their eligibility for handling the legal environment.Â
- Legal research and case management
So, paralegals often focus on the more substantive legal work, such as conducting legal research and drafting legal documents, not to mention assisting in the preparation of legal arguments or case strategies.Â
- Preparing legal documents
They are also responsible for drafting legal documents, including affidavits, briefs, and contracts, among others. These are often used in legal proceedings and demand strong understanding of legal concepts.
- Client and witness interviews
They may also conduct initial interviews with clients to gain facts about the case. Additionally, they can also help in the preparation of witnesses for depositions or court appearances.
- Court filings and procedures
Paralegals often handle filing documents with government agencies or courts and ensure that legal filings will meet all procedural requirements.
- Specialised areas
Paralegals work in specific areas of law, including family law, criminal law, or corporate law, where they should have expertise in the related legal regulations and procedures.
Legal assistant: scope of work and responsibilities
- Admin support
These personnel focus more on administrative tasks to help support the general operations of a law office. They may be the ones who have tasks to answer the phone, manage office supplies, and schedule meetings, among others.
- Document preparation and management
They may not draft complex legal documents, although they may assist with the drafting of standard forms and correspondence. Formatting and proofreading of documents are also part of their responsibilities.
- Client communication
They often serve as a point of contract for clients, as they handle routine communications. They also provide updates on the status of a case as directed by an attorney. Coordinating client appointments is also one of their tasks. Moreover, they make sure that necessary documents are gathered for the lawyer’s review.
- File and record management
The key parts of the role of a legal assistant are managing physical and electronic files, while maintaining client databases and ensuring that important case information is properly archived.
- General office management
They also have the responsibility to contribute to the overall function of the office, including the management of billing records, vendor coordination, and logistical needs support.
Level of education and certification
The paralegal legal assistant may also have different educational attainments, with the latter having more specialised training in legal studies. In fact, paralegals have a degree in paralegal studies, professional certification from major organisations, and substantive legal background.
On the other hand, the legal assistant may have administrative training and a certificate of office management, while some have a degree in general studies or business administration. Part of this is experience in on-the-job training to familiarise with the specific needs of a law firm.
