PLA1003C 1st Exam

What are the three typical tasks that a paralegal can do?

-Interviewing of clients or witnesses -Client communications -Legal writing/legal research including drafting of documents in areas of expertise

NALA

A National Association of Legal Assistants that networks paralegals and continues their legal education.

What might a nurse who is seeking to become a paralegal be able to do to in a law office?

Become a nurse paralegal or a legal nurse consultant

What types of legal writing does a paralegal do?

Correspondence, memoranda of law, and briefs for the court

Certificate, Associate Degree, Baccalaureate, and Graduate are types of what kind of programs?

Educational programs for Paralegals

Which organization in Florida registers paralegals?

Florida Bar

What are the three KEY ETHICAL DON'TS for a paralegal?

Give legal advice, Set legal fees, and Represent a client in court

What are the 3 ways that attorneys typically bill clients for legal services?

Hourly fees, contingency fees, and flat fees.

What national association certifies paralegals in the State of Florida. Is it mandatory

NALA and it's not

What's the term that describes the establishment of contacts or relationships for professional purposes?

Networking

Can paralegals can only seek employment with law firms and government agencies?

No

Does the ABA has a mandatory training program for paralegals

No

What steps a person who wishes to become a paralegal should take?

Work experience Minimum educational requirements are usually dependent on desired work location. Certification

pro bono

Working without compensation on behalf of individuals and organizations that otherwise could not afford legal assistance.

NFPA

certification for paralegals

When a paralegal is verifying that the firm can take on a new client by reviewing names of former and current clients, that paralegal is performing what type of search?

conflict checking

What three types of employers paralegals may work for?

law firms, corporations and government agencies

A paralegal who finds himself serving as a bookkeeper, office manager, receptionist, and second chair at trial is probably working in what type of legal employment?

small office

If you were previously a paralegal at a law firm representing a client on one side of a lawsuit and you switched firms only to discover that your new law firm is representing a client on the other side of the lawsuit, what type of situation would you have? What might your new law firm do to prevent any ethical violations?

A conflict of interest and the new law firm might set up an "ethical wall" or Chinese wall

A paralegal working with patents, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks is working in what area of the law?

Intellectual property

Has a state in the United States has developed a paralegal regulation program?

No

What a paralegal should do during a professional interview?

Pay attention to experience and qualifications so you can address those during your interview. Prepare a list of questions that demonstrate interest in the position and the organization

What practice is important for a paralegal to remember he or she must not do?

Practice of law that is not supervised by a attorney

What soft skills would a potential employer desire in a paralegal?

Resourcefulness, perseverance, and analytical skills Empathy and cultural sensitivity towards others

What type of client funds an attorney would typically place in an IOTA account? What organization receives the interest from the trust account? What do they do with the money?

Retainer funds get put in a Interest Only Trust Account. The Florida Bar receives it and put it in legal aid.

A paralegal may appear and represent a client's interest ONLY at what type of hearing under certain conditions

Social Security and some types of IRS

What type of professional skills an employer would want in a new paralegal?

Soft and hard

A paralegal is asked to help staff the reception area by answering the phone and greeting clients while the receptionist is out sick. The paralegal does not object to this request because she is a team player. But, she has a deadline to meet for her supervisor. What skills will this paralegal need to demonstrate?

Soft skills

If a paralegal works in a firm with just one attorney who focuses his work on advocating rights of senior citizens and estate planning, what type of firm that paralegal is working in?

Solo, Elder law

Regulation of the practice of law is done at what level?

State level by the State bar

Should a paralegal avoid the unauthorized practice of law?

Yes

Retainer

a payment at the beginning of the handling of a new matter for a client. This amount may be used to offset the fees for services rendered or costs advanced on behalf of the client

Florida paralegal

a person qualified by education, training, or work experience of substantive law, who works under the supervision of a member of The Florida Bar, ...who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which the supervising lawyer is responsible