Lawyers are often assisted in their work by paralegals or legal assistants. Paralegals perform many of the same tasks as lawyers, except for those tasks considered to be the practice of law. Paralegals work under the direct supervision of lawyers. Although the lawyers assume responsibility for the legal work, they often delegate many of the tasks they perform to paralegals. Paralegals are prohibited from setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.
Paralegals generally do the background work for lawyers.
To help prepare cases for trial, paralegals investigate the facts of cases ensuring all relevant information is uncovered. Paralegals may conduct legal research to identify the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that may be relevant to assigned cases. After organizing and analyzing all the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. Should attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist the attorneys during trials. Paralegals also keep files of all documents and correspondence important to cases.