Lawyer Monthly Magazine - February 2020 Edition

paralegals are really the ones that do all the work. This is not generally the case. As it can be true, we do perform many types of tasks and carry a higher vast of knowledge than, for example, a legal secretary, but we don’t do all the work. Paralegals in New York don’t carry the license to be in fiduciary duty and do not counsel on the laws and how they apply. We are limited in scope. Usually, individuals or businesses seeking paralegals are seeking a more affordable way to get certain tasks done, usually due to budget constraints or affordability factors. They don’t realize they still should invest in getting the legal advice regarding their situation, even if the attorney does not carry out the administrative tasks. As an independent paralegal, what advice would you offer law firms, to better utilize paralegal staff? Paralegals are usually entrusted with certain tasks due to their performance, experience and knowledge. You should hire those that carry knowledge sets in different areas and surround your practice with such supporting and knowledgeable individuals. The hiring attorney still takes full responsibility for the paralegal’s actions. It’s important to have good communication skills and a close relationship with your paralegal to ensure the tasks you assign are in accordance with your wishes and that they won’t jeopardize your practice and license. Attorneys also need to recognize that paralegals are their support line and should value their role and treat them well and accordingly. Often, I hear that paralegals leave a practice for the way they are treated and/or viewed. An attorney’s attitude and manners toward their support staff is of utmost importance and often is the key to a successful practice. The reasons for when others seek an independent paralegal as opposed to the attorney is usually according to the misconception they conclude from the experiences they have encountered. If attorneys would pay close attention to the customer service provided to their clientele and not only to the income factors, they will increase their success rates. A legal practice thrives not only on its knowledge power, but word of mouth on the experiences of those who hire them. If you’re an attorney and overwhelmed with your workload, seek a quality independent paralegal service provider to help you expand or maintain your practice duties. The benefits are: 1) that you can write off them as a vendor expense, 2) change service providers at your choice and upon need without the hiring repercussions 3) build an additional referral source for your practice that costs less than some attorney advertising models and 4) increases the ability to expand your business model efforts, if that is the direction you are seeking. LM Expert Insight By Christa Centolella, CJC Judgment and Paralegal Services 39 FEB 2020 | WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM YOU SHOULD HIRE THOSE THAT CARRY KNOWLEDGE SETS IN DIFFERENT AREAS AND SURROUND YOUR PRACTICEWITH SUCH SUPPORTING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE INDIVIDUALS. About Christa Centolella Christa Centolella is an Independent Paralegal and Solo Owner of CJC Judgment and Paralegal Services located in Auburn, New York. She regularly provides outsourced Paralegal Services for attorneys on an “as needed” basis. She provides legal support and financial services business model to her immediate and surrounding communities of the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. Her territory coverage has expanded to provide mobile services to 21 New York counties. Firms outside New York or her county also seek her as a resource to assist with specific services in related areas. Contact CJC Judgment and Paralegal Services 1st4Financial 23 Wright Ave Auburn, NY 13021 www.cjcparalegal.com Office: (315) 256-0601 Fax: (315) 253-0206 Mobile: (315) 406-9424