Most, but not all, of the firm's paralegals are recent graduates who are taking a break from school to assess their career interests while gaining professional experience and insight into the practice of law. Most of them then go on to law or other graduate schools. New paralegals most frequently work on general litigation matters. The firm offers new paralegals an orientation and training program in skills and subjects integral to their work. The objective of the training course, which is taught by firm lawyers and the other firm professionals, is to afford all new paralegals a basic understanding of civil litigation, the courts and their reporting systems, legal research, and the skills required of paralegals.
Paralegals often attend client meetings, discovery proceedings, and trials.
At times, paralegals also provide translating services in the firm's international practice. Paralegals may participate, on a six-month rotating basis, in one of two pro bono projects. The first rotation arrangement operates with the Neighborhood Legal Services Program, where our paralegal works with lawyers from the firm in providing pro bono assistance to needy clients. The firm also sends one paralegal on a rotation program with the Child Abuse and Neglect Section of the D.C. Office of Corporation Counsel. The firm also employs paralegal specialists in particular areas of practice such as banking, communications, the environment, food and drug, insurance, patents and trademarks, probate, and transportation.