virtual paralegals

Robert E. Mongue, J.D., Assistant Professor of the Legal Studies Department at the University of Mississippi has started an interesting discussion concerning “independent paralegals” at his blog, The Empowered Paralegal.  Like Professor Mongue, I am still digesting the email he received from Efrem B. Martin of Martin Paralegal Services.  While I agree with some comments Mr. Martin makes concerning “FEAR” and I admire his passion for what he believes, my thoughts do not align with his concerning this topic.  If Mr. Martin has all the qualifications and experience outlined in his email to Professor Mongue, perhaps he should consider going to law school and take the bar exam in the state(s) of his choice so that he can legally practice law.   He might make a great attorney.

No system is perfect, but I dare say, that some system governing attorneys and paralegals is better than no system. Guidelines, rules and regulations are normally put in place because something is needed to protect everyone from those individuals who cross an unclear line.  Those guidelines, rules and regulations are never “perfect,” thus they are continually revised and updated.  Some become so important that they actually become law.

As a new virtual paralegal business owner, I have been learning that it is important to establish systems for your business.  I am diligently working to protect myself against the unauthorized practice of law by establishing the following systems:

1. My paralegal services will be offered to licensed U.S. attorneys only.
2. I will require your execution of an Affidavit identifying the state(s) in which you are licensed, your bar association number(s), and a statement that you are in good standing.
3. The information identified in the Affidavit will be verified with your state bar association.
4. My web site includes an official Disclaimer as well as a conspicuous statement on the Home Page as follows: Digital Paralegal Services provides virtual paralegal support to attorneys licensed in the United States.  WE DO NOT PROVIDE PARALEGAL SUPPORT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
5. All contract documents will include similar provisions.

I am sure the “system” is not perfect and that it will be revised many times over as the role of virtual paralegals continues to be defined by the legal profession.  My goal is to vigilantly abide by the guidelines, rules, regulations, ethics opinions and laws which govern the paralegal profession.

I would like to hear your thoughts, questions, and concerns about the hot topic of virtual paralegals! Click on “Comments” beneath the title of this blog post.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the RSS feed so you won’t miss a single post!  If you prefer getting updates by email, please visit Subscribe via email.

Like it or not, modern technology has greatly affected the practice of law.  Some of those developments have enabled attorneys and paralegals to gain flexibility and choices concerning how they choose to provide legal services.   Many legal professionals have now work from home offices.  Those who have taken that jump generally say they would never go back.  Some attorneys still maintain their regular office, but they have chosen to take advantage of virtual paralegal resources.  This enables them to cut costs for themselves and their clients.

For a number of years, some paralegals have done contract work, also known as freelance work.  This work has been provided on an independent contract “as needed” basis for specific projects.  Today, paralegals are taking the next step by establishing a fully equipped home office.  By eliminating unnecessary commuting and other timewasters, realistically the paralegal can be more productive for attorneys.  Attorneys and clients benefit because the paralegal gets paid only for time actually worked, and the paralegal draws no typical employee benefits.

As attorneys have become specialized, so have paralegals. That premise holds true for brick-and-mortar paralegals as well as virtual paralegals.  By making the decision to work with a paralegal virtually, attorneys now have the option of working with specialized paralegals who are highly proficient in different areas of law.  Attorneys are no longer limited by geographical boundaries, unless they choose to do so.

In this series I will begin taking a look at the practice areas chosen by virtual paralegals, and discuss some of the tools they use to provide virtual support to attorneys.  Tomorrow we will begin looking at virtual litigation paralegals.

I would like to hear your thoughts, questions, concerns about the hot topic of virtual paralegals! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss a single post!