Legal assistants and paralegals prepare legal documents, maintain records and files and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the limitations of their appointment. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Legal assistants and paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed.
Possible Titles:
commercial law clerk corporate paralegal family law paralegal independent paralegal land titles examiner law clerk legal assistant legal researcher litigation legal assistant notary public paralegal real estate law clerk title searcher trademark agent
Responsibilities:
Paralegals in law firms or in other establishments perform some or all of the following duties:
Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
Prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
Research records, court files and other legal documents
Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.
Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:
Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.
Employment Requirments:
Legal assistants and paralegals in law firms require a bachelor's degree in law or a college diploma in a legal assistant or law clerk program or In-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or on completion of a community college paralegal program.
Courtesy of: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada