Office Staff
DUTIES OF EXPERIENCED PARALEGALS AND EXPERIENCED SECRETARIES
LITIGATION
*Initial client interview and follow-up
*File organization, including investigation, witness interviews, photography, medical reports, and wage analysis
*Draft pleadings such as complaints, third-party complaints, answers motions, and discovery requests and responses
*Assist in arrangements for depositions including the preparation of proposed questions; attend depositions with the attorney; digest/summarize depositions
*Prepare calculations during attorney settlement negotiations and draft settlement documents.
*Prepare file for trial, schedule witnesses and experts for testifying at trial
*Organize the trial notebook
*Attend the trial with the attorney to organize exhibits, retrieve documents, assist with witnesses, note developments in the case, monitor and maintain a list of documents and exhibits used by both sides
*Maintain a docket, calendar, and tickler system
PLAINTIFF PERSONAL INJURY
*Accident investigation and witness contacts
*Medical & evidence review
*Submitting the case to insurance adjusters
*Preparation of complaint, service on defendants
*Answering & serving interrogatories
*Propounding other discovery requests
*Interview clients prior to court and deposition
*Attend depositions
*Prepare and answer motions
*Prepare arbitration summary and attend arbitration and settlement conferences
*Attend trial and calendar call as bench assistant
COMPLEX LITIGATION
*Handling document control: analysis, organization, indexing, and general maintenance.
*Assisting in conducting/preparing for the production of documents
*Examining public records/documents
*Arranging and attending depositions with the attorney
*Digesting and indexing depositions
*Researching factual and statistical data and preparing analyses
*Drafting Pleadings, such as requests and answers to requests for admissions; interrogatories and answers to interrogatories; routine notices, motions, petitions, affidavits, and certifications
*Maintaining docket, calendar, and tickler system
*Assisting in preparation of legal memoranda/briefs: proofreading, cite checking, Shepardizing.
*Assisting in preparation of trial book.
*Organizing and preparing exhibits for trial
*Digestion and indexing trial transcripts
CRIMINAL PRACTICE
* Prepare requests for discovery
* Coordinate trial with client and witnesses
*Prepare briefs and motions
WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES
Pre-mortem planning:
*Interviewing clients; gathering information concerning family history, assets, and liabilities
*Drafting of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills from preliminary stages to finalization
Estate administration
*Attending initial client conference for discovery of assets, liabilities, and background information required
*Preparing probate documents
*Scheduling and attending safe-deposit box inventories
*Arranging for appraisals of decedents assets, which may include real estate, jewelry, automobiles, antiques, art collections, personal, property, and household furnishings
*Valuing securities either by in-house means or arranging for valuation by stockbroker assistance. *Preparing and filing (if required) an estate inventory
*Maintaining estate financial accounts and records
*Correspondence pertaining to all aspects of estate administration
*Review estate financial records for determination of timely payments of estate expenses and distribution of assets to beneficiaries to effect tax savings
*Preparing formal or informal accountings of estate or trust administration from preliminary drafts to finalization
*Distribution and/or sale of securities by preparing necessary sale or transfer papers and working with broker to transfer agents
*Preparing necessary documents for beneficiaries' signature to effect distribution of assets and to release fiduciary's liability
REAL ESTATE
*Preparing a draft of the contract of sale for review by the attorney
*Obtaining and forwarding to purchaser's attorney for review prior to closing such items as back-title information; water, sewer, oil, and tax bills; current mortgage payoff information; and the Certificate of Occupancy for the closing
*Coordinating date, time, and place of closing with all parties
*Preparing closing documents: deed, affidavit of title, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. (RESPA) and settlement statements, note, and mortgage, if taken back by the seller
*Attend closing
*Post-closing follow-up
When the purchaser is the attorney's client, the paralegal¹s responsibilities may include the following:
*Preparing or reviewing contract
*Obtaining and reviewing back-title information
*Arranging for survey, termite inspection, structural inspection including radon, if necessary, obtaining flood certification, title insurance binder, mortgage payoff statements, home owner's insurance policy
*Coordination closing with the lender; fulfilling all lenders requirements and forwarding all documents for review prior to the closing date. This includes preparation of affidavits, releases, notes, mortgages, RESPA statements, and notices of settlement
*Coordinating closing with all parties
*Preparing final closing documents including 1099B and filing same with IRS.
*Attending closing
*Post-closing follow-up
Forwarding original documents for recording
Forwarding check for mortgage payoff, pay off all outstanding liens, final letter to title
company requesting policy, payment of all taxes and sewer charges
Forwarding canceled mortgage to seller's attorney
Obtaining title policy, then forwarding to client
Forwarding mortgage to mortgage company
CORPORATE
*Drafting and filing certificates or articles of incorporation, and subsequent amendments, together with preliminary preparations of incorporation such as name clearance and reservation
*Drafting Bylaws
Partnership tasks may include:
*Drafting partnership agreements
*Drafting and filing limits partnership certificates and subsequent amendments
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
*Evidence review and organization
*Contact with witnesses
*Preparation of pleadings
*Preparation for trial
