im a legal assistant and work for an attorney who uses my time for his is this legal

What does a lawyer’s assistant do?

Sep 26, 2018 · I am a certified legal assistant, I am now 45 years old, and I have been a legal assistant for over 20 years. I have worked for several younger lawyers in my time, some of who started their careers with me as their assistant and are now high-ranking partners in …

What does a legal assistant do day-to-day?

Apr 07, 2009 · The time of a Legal Assistant doing substantial legal work (as compared to administrative work) is billed to clients, as an attorney's time, at a lower hourly rate. The qualifications for a Legal Assistant are set by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). There are several ways to obtain training before passing the certification exam for …

Is a legal assistant the same as a paralegal?

Jan 04, 2022 · Legal Assistant Resume: Education. You will need at least 24 credits in an associate's degree in paralegal studies or a paralegal certificate program approved by the American Bar Association. If you have a Bachelor’s Degree in any field, you can start working as a legal assistant and get trained on the job by a lawyer.

How does the hiring process work for a legal assistant?

Paralegal vs. legal assistant: Salary & job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal secretaries report a median annual wage of $44,180. In comparison, the 2016 median annual wage for paralegals was $49,500. 3 This salary can increase depending on the employer—for example, paralegals who work in corporate settings can ...

What constitutes a conflict of interest for a paralegal?

Conflicts of interest involving paralegals usually result from personal and business relationships outside the legal environment or from legal matters handled at the paralegal's prior employment.

Which of the following must a paralegal be careful not to do?

Canon 3 – A paralegal must not: (a) engage in, encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; and (b) establish attorney-client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency ...

Do paralegals record time?

Lawyers and paralegals (which I will refer to as fee earners) need to record their time as the day progresses; this is called 'time recording'. Time recording makes it easier for clients to see the full extent of the work being undertaken on their behalf and to see where their money is going.Jun 29, 2021

What ethical issues typically arise for paralegals?

Here are five ethical dilemmas that paralegals encounter in their work:Unauthorized Practice. ... Maintaining Confidentiality. ... Supervising Attorney Reviewing the Paralegal's Work. ... Role of Technology. ... Conflicts of Interest.

How do paralegal or legal assistants help attorneys serve clients?

For example, paralegals can review and organize client files, conduct factual and legal research, prepare documents for legal transactions, draft pleadings and discovery notices, interview clients and witnesses, and assist at closings and trials.

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How do lawyers record their time?

1) The legal software stopwatch The stopwatch is a tried and true means to track time. Most modern legal software systems provide this time-tracking feature. For example, if a lawyer opens a case file, there's usually a digital stopwatch they can click to begin tracking the time spent on a task.Aug 30, 2021

Why is chargeable time recorded?

Recording time ensures that the firm gets paid for the work of each fee earner. It also enables the firm to quantify each financial contribution fee earners make to the firm. This is often a key feature for bonuses assuming billable goals are reached.

How do you record time effectively?

5 Golden Rules of Time RecordingHere are the 5 golden rules of time recording: ... Record everything that you do, even if a file is not yet open. ... Create meaningful, accurate descriptions. ... Set up your charge rates in advance so that you do not have to edit at the time of billing.More items...

What are the three ethical issues of which paralegals must be particularly aware?

These are requirements of Competence, Diligence, and Professional Integrity, requirements of Client Confidentiality, rules concerning Conflicts of Interest, responsibilities of supervisory lawyers' regarding nonlawyer assistants; and prohibitions concerning the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

What determines whether a paralegal is competent?

The four aspects of a lawyer's competency apply to paralegals: legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation. You acquire legal knowledge in school and continuing legal education, and applying that knowledge to clients' cases creates skill. Thoroughness is accomplished by adequate preparation.

What specific ethical concerns could a lawyer or a paralegal be confronted with when representing a client?

5 Ethical Concerns for ParalegalsKeep personal life in check.Don't offer legal advice.Conflicts of interest.Confidentiality.Avoid anything illegal.