Chapter One

The Legal Community and Professional Responsibility

The Legal Community

• Lawyers

• Paralegals

• Legal Support Staff

• Court Personnel

• Agency Personnel

Paralegal Skills

• Oral and Written Communication Skills

• Research Skills• Critical Thinking /

Analytical Skills• Organizational Skills

Paralegal / Legal Assistant

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants,

are individuals whose training and education

enable them to assist lawyers by performing

certain legal tasks that have traditionally been

done by lawyers.

Regulation of Paralegals

• NALA: National Association of Legal Assistants

• NFPA: National Federation of Paralegal Associations

Legal Support StaffLegal Secretaries

Law Clerks

Paralegals

Case Assistants

Case Clerks

Court Personnel

• Judges

• Court Clerks

• Court Reporters

• Bailiffs

Professional Organizations

• American Bar Association

• State Bar Associations

• Local Bar Associations

• American Trial Lawyers

Association

• National Federation of Paralegal Associations

• American Association for Paralegal Education

• Local Paralegal Associations

• National Association of Legal Assistants

Ethical Responsibilities

• Fiduciary Duty• Confidentiality• Competency• Conflict of Interest• Attorney Fees and Trust Accounts• Diligence• Communication with Opposing Parties• Unauthorized Practice of Law

Ethical Rules and Guidelines

• The Model Code of Professional Responsibility

• The Model Rules of Professional Conduct

• Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants (NALA)

• Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (NALA)

• Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (NFPA)