What Does a Paralegal Do

What Does a Paralegal Do What Does a Paralegal Do? What does a paralegal do? Paralegal duties vary according to the area of law in which the paralegal is employed. Common types of paralegal employment include: personal injurycorporate lawcriminal lawintellectual propertybankruptcylabor law litigationinsurance lawimmigrationfamily law real estate These different areas of paralegal specialization demand certain duties and responsibilities. Select the job tasks and skills that apply to the paralegal job you are specifying. Criminal Law Paralegal Duties Assists the attorney with management of criminal cases including preparation for pre-trial proceedings and during the trial itself. assist with client interviewobtain background information on clientprepare legal documents including pleadings, complaints, motions, briefs and legal memorandaassist with bond or bail arrangementsresearch points of law and factual issuesobtain discovery including statements, affidavits, reportsprepare discovery logsgather and analyze data for plea bargaininglocate and interview witnesses and expertsprepare and manage subpoenasreview evidenceprepare trial exhibitsprepare client for trialprepare witness and exhibit listsprepare trial notebooks including jury exhibit notebooksdraft jury instructionsassist during trialdraft appeal documentation Intellectual Property/Patent Paralegal Duties Assist attorneys with obtaining, maintaining and protecting intellectual property right of clients. research and organize information regarding intellectual property rights, case law, copyright infringement actions, trade marks, expiration datesprepare legal documents including, pleadings, responses, infringement letters, licensing agreements, complaintsreview new trademark and patent applicationsfile applications and renewalsorganize international filings with foreign entitiesmonitor status of pending applications, issued patents, registered trademarks, maintenance fee paymentscheck proper use of client's trademarkmanage patent, trademark and domain name docketsreview dockets for deadlines and actions neededcommunicate with clients regarding status of applications and patentscoordinate and prepare documentation for litigation and patent prosecution Bankruptcy Paralegal Job Duties What does a paralegal do in the field of bankruptcy? A paralegal may work for the debtor's attorney, the creditor's attorney or a bankruptcy trustee. interview clients to obtain data for filing petitions, schedules and statementsprepare petitions, schedules and statements of financesdraft pleadings, motions, complaints, notices and ordersobtain documents from debtor including tax returns and list of liabilitiesorganize debt information and asset informationco-ordinate asset appraisalsprepare disclosure statementsset up depositions, hearings and meetingscreate database of creditors prepare press releases about pending casessend notices of commencement of case to creditorsprepare and file pleadings and motions for creditorsdraft and file proofs of claim and provide supporting documentation for creditorsreview claims objections and monitor schedules for responses and hearingsidentify and subpoena witnessesobtain discoveryprepare witness lists, trial and exhibit notebooksmonitor distribution of funds to creditorsdraft fee applicationsact as liaison between creditors, attorneys, debtors, trustee and client Immigration Paralegal Duties Assist attorney in handling of immigration-related issues and cases. locate, obtain and review foreign documents including passports, birth records, education records, police recordsorganize translation of foreign documentsanalyze, check and summarize dataresearch immigration case law and applicable regulationsprepare legal documents for visa applications, citizenship, naturalization and work authorizationdraft applications and petitions for the INS and DOLorganize supporting documents including affidavits assemble and file applications and petitionsprepare client for interviewsprepare for legal immigration trials and hearings Family Law Paralegal Duties Focuses on legal processes associated with domestic relationships including divorce, custody, child support, adoption and paternity. interview and collect information on client with supporting documentationresearch, analyze and organize supporting information create and manage client fileslocate witnessesuncover assets and organize property appraisalsdetermine spousal and child support requirementsprepare pleadings, complaints, petitions, discovery requests, responses, protective orders, temporary orders, decrees, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, agreementsmonitor dates for hearings, court appearances and depositionsmaintain ongoing communication with clientorganize mediations and arbitrationsassist in settlement negotiationsprepare settlement agreementsco-ordinate trial preparation including witnesses, exhibits and trial notebooksassist during trial Real Estate Paralegal Responsibilities Duties center around the buying and selling of property, leases, land-use matters, due diligence, closing and foreclosures. prepare legal documents including leases, licenses, management agreements, purchase and sale agreements, service contracts, deeds review lease documents and prepare lease abstractstrack lease renewals and inspectionsnegotiate and prepare leases, lease renewal and lease modification documentsassist with real estate loan transactionsreview loan commitments from lendersprepare and process loan documentsaudit lien cases to determine lien validity, need for referral or case closureconduct due diligence including title searches, reviewing public records and obtaining proof of insurancereview title commitments and surveysprepare title summary documentreview and distribute due diligence process coordinate with title companies to prepare closing statementsprepare and manage closing checklistsfollow up on post-closing issues Paralegal duties and responsibilities Paralegal Jobs part 2