What Do Paralegals Do?
We are frequently asked by potential clients about the role of a paralegal in their case.
Our paralegals play a crucial role in our legal representation in various aspects of our criminal, appeal, family law, personal injury, and civil law cases. They work under the ultimate direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.
One of their major roles is to be your main liaison with your attorney to ensure clear and timely communication. They are your main point of contact at the firm and will be updating you on the progress of your case, court dates, and any related developments.
Along with their communication priorities they also have a number of other functions related to your case:
Case Investigation
Your paralegal will conduct preliminary case investigations, gather information and obtain relevant documents from a variety of sources. Along the way they will interview witnesses, gather evidence, and assist in building a comprehensive file of your case.
Legal Research
They will conduct legal research on Texas and/or Federal statues (which your attorney will do as well) and they will review case law and look at legal precedents relevant to your case. Then they will summarize and organize their legal research for your attorney to review.
Legal Document Drafting
Under the supervision of your attorney, they prepare a variety of legal documents including:
- Motions – These are documents presented to the court to formally ask a judge to take an action during your case.
- Pleadings – These are certain formal documents which are filed with the court that state basic positions that may include the client’s version of the facts.
- Briefs – These highlight and clarify certain information or provide legal comparisons in an attempt to persuade the court to rule in favor of yourself, our client.
Courtroom Support Functions
The paralegal assists in preparing clients and witnesses for their appearance in court. Their duties also include coordinating and managing the attorney and court schedules, making sure all necessary documents related to your case are filed with the court.
Managing Documents
With court cases, there is often a lot of paperwork even now in the “digital age”. Your paralegal will be organizing and maintaining case files and ensure all relevant documents are readily accessible for your attorney. They will also manage and update case databases as well as track important deadlines and milestones.
Assisting You, The Client During Proceedings
They will provide ongoing support and guidance to you to help you understand the court processes and procedures. They may also accompany you to court hearings or other meetings when appropriate.
Collaboration With Attorneys
Working closely with attorneys to help develop case strategies and legal arguments. They also provide ongoing support to ensure your attorney has all the necessary information they nee to effectively represent you.
Ethics
The paralegal also maintains client confidentiality at all times and adheres to ethical guidelines. All of our paralegals are members of the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division which has stringent ethics guidelines. They know the provisions of the Texas rules of attorney professional conduct and avoid any action which might involve an attorney in a violation of that code or even the appearance of professional impropriety.
Paralegals play a vital role in assisting Blizzard and Zimmerman law firm clients by providing support to attorneys, managing case details, and facilitating effective client communication throughout the legal process.
