Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Tasks

Task statements

• Direct and coordinate law office activity, including delivery of subpoenas.
• Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
• Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
• Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
• Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
• Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
• Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
• File pleadings with court clerks.
• Call upon witnesses to testify at hearings.
• Arbitrate disputes between parties and assist in the real estate closing process, such as by reviewing title searches.
• Appraise and inventory real and personal property for estate planning.
• Keep and monitor legal volumes to ensure that the law library is up-to-date.