There are many different areas of law that require practice. Perhaps one of the most exciting areas of law is civil litigation. There are many different kinds of litigation that fall under this category. I would love to work in this area oflaw. As a paralegal I would like to work on the defense side because it can be a very rewarding experience. Although a lot of work from paralegals is required to get a case ready for trial, I think that it could be a very exhilarating experience.
If I had to choose between working on the plaintiff or defense 's side I would definitely choose the defense. The defense, also often known as the deep pocket, can provide you with a steady pay. I know that for me personally I would not want to be worried about
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I personally would like to get involved with commercial litigation and represent larger companies. The big businesses are the ones that are going to be able to afford the hourly rates, and in doing so I know that I will have a secure paycheck.
Admittedly, one of the cons to commercial litigation is that it is not as personal as personal injury plaintiff 's litigation would be. Litigators in commercial litigation do not get to sit down one on one with clients and help them sort out their personal problems. Nevertheless, I believe commercial defense litigation could be a very rewarding experience. No one case is the same -- so there is also an excitement factor that comes with it. I think that, as time goes on, one would gain better skills and a passion for such work. I could definitely see myself working in this area of law in my
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One of the first things that a paralegal must do is help in the pre-claim investigation. This process includes finding witnesses and interviewing them. They also start to gather documents and evidence and start sorting out the facts chronologically. The next process is the pleadings. The plaintiffs paralegal may help draft the pleadings. The defendant 's paralegal may help with investigating the claims and writing responses. The discovery process is where the paralegal will spend a large portion of his/her time. This is where paralegals aid the attorneys in drafting interrogatories, preparing deposition summaries, creating and maintaining discovery indexes, and summarizing and analyzing things such as medical records and other documents.
Paralegals also help conduct legal research. Upon completing such research, paralegals can create legal research memos. Besides legal research, paralegals also do factual research. This information can come from many different kinds of sources as long as it is relevant to the case. Before the trial begins, the paralegal is responsible for making sure that everything is in order. They also serve as the liaison between the trial team and witnesses, clients, experts and other members ofthe courtroom. During the trial the paralegal will assist the attorneys in any way that they may be needed. Their responsibilities include setting up exhibits, gathering documents, and prepping the
A Paralegal is defined by the American Bar Association as 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. Paralegals work under direct supervision of an attorney and follow the same ethical rules of the ABA as a lawyer does. ABA Rule 5.3, states that a lawyer must give such assistants appropriate instruction and supervision concerning the ethical aspects of their employment, particularly regarding the obligation not to disclose information relating to representation of the client, and should be responsible for their work product. Per the State B...
Both the defense attorney and the prosecuting attorney have an opportunity to make opening statements, introduce witnesses and evidence in favor of their case, cross-examine witnesses and offer closing arguments. During the deliberation phase of the case, the jury decides whether the prosecution has met the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the jury finds joe not guilty, you are free to go and not subject to further prosecution based on the same offenses.
Whether you’re a paralegal looking for a high salary or a casual work environment with a chance to work on many different areas of law, a large law firm and a small law firm both offer a paralegal what they ultimately set out to find the chance to assist an attorney at law.
Many people may think that a being a paralegal is just like being a lawyer, but that is not the case. In fact, there are different types of paralegals just like there are different types of lawyers. These are some of the different types of paralegals that are out there: intellectual property (“IP”) paralegals, family law paralegals, and bankruptcy paralegals (“What Are The Different Types Of Paralegals?” n.d.). According to, “What Do Paralegals Do? (n.d.),” the duties of a paralegal are, “Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client, locate and interview witnesses, conduct investigations, statistical and documentary research, conduct legal research, draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings, summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony, attend executions of wills, real
Defense counsel is task with building a relationship of trust with the defendant and representing him or her to the best of the counsel’s abilities. Defense counsel is important because the majority of people do not understand procedures of court and the laws that govern the adjudication process. For that reason, defense counsel is tasked to prove to the judge (or jury as applicable) reasonable doubt to the evidence, testimony, argument presented against a defendant while following the law and procedures (Defense Function,
In the court, the prosecutor takes part in plea negotiations, leads discussions on resolutions and presents the case if there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.
Before entering to court, each party must cooperate with his or her lawyer to build a case to defend and argue their
In the judicial process, there are various characters that play an important role in the way a criminal case is handled and have an influence on the outcome of trials. The main players in the courthouse are the prosecutor and the defense attorney. The role of the prosecutor and defense attorney are very different, but the purpose of both of these attorneys is to protect individuals.
My major is Paralegal Studies and I expect to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a county agency, I was introduced to the legal field. Recently, I was awarded the opportunity to attend college, so I decided I wanted to reenter the legal profession as a paralegal. The paralegal profession appeals to me, because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from the beginning to the end; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client’s trial or the settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or a small firm in my local area who represent clients in different areas of the law.
A lawyer may discharge this basic responsibility by providing public interest legal services without fee, or at a substantially reduced fee, in one or more of the following areas: poverty law, civil rights law, public rights law, charitable organization representation, the administration of justice, and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.’ With this rule, attorneys practice pro bono work and log their time to turn in to the State Bar of Texas, to show that they have complied. However, is the best legal representation being given to these defendants? That would most likely depend on the individual attorney that one happens to be appointed. Such as with any other system, some attorneys may have a heart for service and feel their pro bono work is meaningful and time well spent. Others may just try their hardest to get in and out of their work and that can often be a disservice to the person they are
In order for attorneys to effectively represent their clients rules govern how and what information is gathered, used, and stored or destroyed. The unit three seminar discusses the rules that regulate these things during and after the representation of a client. There are several systems in place that protect clients and their confidential information from being misused by those who are involved in their cases and legal matters. The duty of confidentiality, attorney/client privilege, and the work product privilege are the topics discussed during this seminar for the purpose of teaching the differences between them all as well as how each works and for what purpose.
If a person has a problem, that needs to be addressed in a court venue, it is likely that person will bring the problem to an attorney. Competence comes with the ability, of an attorney, to know where to find the answers to their client’s problems. Legal research is the process of finding the key facts of the case, and applying them to the cause of action. Research good case law and match it to the elements in the case. The hope of an attorney is to create an argument in court that is indisputable.
Definition: Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney. (www.NALA.org)
Solicitors also represent their clients in court, mostly the lower courts; but some have advocac... ... middle of paper ... ...to prepare the case and follow it through to the end. Good work has often been done by solicitors, only to see the case badly argued by a barrister in court. This is because he is too remote from the issues and often does not come into the case until the last moment. NOTE:
Researching and Making the Court Papers: The Lawyers have to brief the court about the case well in advance about the issues to be discussed.