tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post4101732875489486400..comments2024-03-11T19:07:15.570-07:00Comments on Superlegal Fun: How paralegals avoid unlawfully practicing lawUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-82336535871146911912011-10-21T21:19:14.338-07:002011-10-21T21:19:14.338-07:00@Cate: What I wouldn't give... That sounds pr...@Cate: What I wouldn't give... That sounds pretty awesome. I think the US could learn a thing or two from our northern neighbors on this topic. The US won't regulate, but they are too scared to allow paralegals to be at the forefront of the legal society, even though it makes some sense to do so. Say it with me, "Let's get regulated!" Thanks for the info!!!<br /><br />@Dallas: I don't see how paralegal firms can possibly function without borderline, or over-the-line, legal advice. I would be too nervous not to have an attorney over me with insurance to cover any mistakes or alleged mistakes. If there is anything worse than practicing law without a license, it's practicing law without insurance. I would certainly be interested to hear the logistics of how such a paralegal firm works. Anyone?Superlegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389464676410169021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-86967869364467301682011-10-21T09:14:43.773-07:002011-10-21T09:14:43.773-07:00Our office is strictly bankruptcy. In many instan...Our office is strictly bankruptcy. In many instances the time is not billable, but included in the flat fee. Not wasting the atty's time allows him to work on cases where he can bill. It seems sometimes you can tell a client what is needed but not why we need it; you can tell them what the rule is but have to watch your step in how it relates to them. Makes me feel like an ass at times. Which makes me wonder how some paralegals who are doing bankruptcy forms for pro se debtors are not giving legal advice. This could be a great business but it scares me. Anyone out there doing this kind of work?dallasparalegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07993053820485415925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-27052179914699380862011-10-18T18:06:38.116-07:002011-10-18T18:06:38.116-07:00I don't know how it is in the rest of Canada, ...I don't know how it is in the rest of Canada, but in Ontario the Paralegal profession is recently regulated, which means that when I graduate from my program I will have to pass a licensing exam, as well as pay dues to the Upper Law Society of Canada (for liability insurance, etc.). If you do not pass this exam you cannot call yourself a Paralegal in Ontario. As I mentioned before, we are still restricted. As Paralegals we are authorized to practice in small claims court (nothing above 25,000$), criminal matters with a maximum penalty of six months; Administrative tribunals; landlord & tenant, immigration board, etc. So I would be able to give advice on these matters, but we are not authorized to practice in areas such as family law, or real estate (although there has been talk of expanding the scope of practice to include aspects of these). I plan on working in a law firm or for the government when I graduate, but since Paralegals can work independently, I would have the option of running my own Paralegal firm if I wanted to. Hope that helps! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-81289391754510655872011-10-18T08:52:35.155-07:002011-10-18T08:52:35.155-07:00@Dallas & @Anonymous: I absolutely agree that ...@Dallas & @Anonymous: I absolutely agree that the regulations should be relaxed a bit. Unfortunately, attorneys run the rules, and they don't want to eliminate the need for their work/billable hours.Superlegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389464676410169021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-70222013988965572612011-10-16T11:39:13.066-07:002011-10-16T11:39:13.066-07:00It's a fine line that I think most true parale...It's a fine line that I think most true paralegals cross all the time. It's hard not to. If you have the information, you feel compelled to help. It's also difficult to keep deferring people to attorneys, who then may have the opinion that you can't do your job (ie: making their life easier). I bet most paralegals would say the ABA needs to relax the regulation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-877980028561990322011-10-11T06:39:10.758-07:002011-10-11T06:39:10.758-07:00Sometimes it gets very difficult to differentiate ...Sometimes it gets very difficult to differentiate what is and isn't considered legal advice. I hate to have to give my boss a caller with questions which I readily have the answer to but am afraid that I will overstep my boundaries. I sometimes think my boss thinks I'm an idiot but I'd rather be safe. I think paralegals should be allowed to overstep a little bit when it comes to answering legal questions which are not necessarily advice.dallasparalegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07993053820485415925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-42324580248365236042011-10-10T21:45:28.583-07:002011-10-10T21:45:28.583-07:00A paralegal can do just about anything an attorney...A paralegal can do just about anything an attorney can do, except (a) give legal advice, (b) sign pleadings, and (c) appear in court as the sole representative (except in certain administrative proceedings). What is the difference between lawyers and paralegals in Canada?Superlegalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389464676410169021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667203809655904528.post-68041824494067925632011-10-10T10:35:12.482-07:002011-10-10T10:35:12.482-07:00What are the responsibilities of a paralegal in yo...What are the responsibilities of a paralegal in your jurisdiction? I'm just curious about the difference between paralegals in the states v. in Canada (especially Ontario) because here I am able to provide legal advice and represent clients (in a restricted basis) but my fiance and I might be moving to the states for his job in a few years and I'm worried about losing experience because the job seems to be more similar to what we would call a law clerk. What are your thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com