by Suzanne Mathews

Created on: September 04, 2009

With the advancement in technology tools, the options for paralegals have expanded to include working from home. The duties are much the same as working in a law office; and the same legal guidelines apply as described by their State Bar Association. Paralegals working from home otherwise known, as independent paralegals, can provide a cost saving benefit to the supervising attorney and their clients. There are verities of services such as drafting or preparing legal documents, legal research, and case management, a paralegal can offer working from home.

Paralegals having skills in many areas of law have the option to work with a verity of law offices such as personal injury, bankruptcy, social security, and family law. With this option the paralegal may work for more than one lawyer; however, it is important that the paralegal does not accept an assignment from both plaintiff and defense lawyer working on the same case. To help alleviate this type of situation; it is wise to choose to work exclusively for a plaintiff lawyer or defense lawyer, and even with this, a paralegal should ask the clients name before reviewing a case file. As with all paralegals, including paralegals working from home are required to follow certain legal guidelines, such as unauthorized practice of law or UPL. For example a paralegal should never offer legal advice as this constitutes UPL; further, advertising paralegal services should only be directed to lawyers and not the public.

Paralegals working from home have the option of working flexible hours; however, they must be dedicated and disciplined to meet strict deadlines set by the supervising lawyer. Depending on the supervising lawyers needs the Independent paralegals may be required to venture away from the home office to perform some of their work within the law office, do interview clients, or file documents with the county clerk. To be efficient, paralegals working from home should maintain an organized and private office so that legal matters are kept in confidence. Some states and cities may require anyone working from home to acquire a business license. Paralegals working from home are becoming a competitive service within the legal community; to remain competitive as well as enhancing their paralegal expertise; a paralegal should attend continuing education classes regularly.

There are many options as well as challenges for paralegals working from home. Establishing a business plan, listing all options, will help any paralegal working from home get off to good start. Following certain required legal guidelines a paralegal can be successful working from home at the same time providing a cost saving benefits to the supervising attorney and their clients.

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