Why do you want to be a Paralegal?
By: Rachel G. Roberson
I want to be a paralegal because this profession allows you to make a difference in the
lives
of others while impacting the world in a meaningful way. A paralegal will often interact
with people, businesses, organizations and the community and can shape how others view and
are affected by the law. Paralegals are front-line advocates for their clients and their skills allow
them to work in various roles that serve the greater good. The greatest impact a paralegal can make
is to improve the wealth
of knowledge that others have of the legal community and how it
affects others.
As a paralegal I plan to continue to make an impact on the non-profit organizations at
which I am currently employed by. I currently work as a Legal Assistant for two Non-Profit,
Rural Electric Cooperatives that are member-owned. Non-profit rural electric cooperatives
are fundamental within our communities because they promote the seven (7) Cooperative
Principles which are: (1) Concern for community; (2) Democratic Member Control; (3) Member
economic participation; (4) Voluntary and open membership; (5) Autonomy and independence;
(6) Education, training and information, and; (7) Cooperation among Cooperatives. Not only do
these Cooperatives provide electric utilities to underserved rural communities but they give back
to their members by providing educational opportunities, electric initiatives and economic benefits
to their local communities. Non-profits serve an important role in linking communities and
organizations to the assets they need by providing opportunities they otherwise would not be
capable
of reaching.
The Cooperative principles listed above overlap with many of the legal Rules
of Professional Conduct that are instilled upon paralegal professionals in their day-to-day
work responsibilities. Paralegal professionals impact their local communities by using their legal
skills to advocate for those in need
of a helping hand on their legal journey. A concern for
your community is a significant responsibility placed in the hands
of paralegals. Paralegals have
the privilege
of guiding and advocating for clients in challenging legal matters. While
paralegals cannot provide legal advice, their skills serve as respected tools in diverse communities
to contribute vital assistance to their clientele.
A paralegal can also have a significant impact on clients by utilizing the
paralegal education, training and legal information to inform others and act as an activist on their
behalf. Paralegal education and training is indispensable to the attorney(s) the paralegal is
supporting and plays an impactful role to clients in a vulnerable situation. Paralegals provide up-
to-date research, office tasks, scheduling and advanced essential functions in order to support legal
professionals at the highest level possible. Being able to utilize your skills and relevant information
is impactful in corporate, office and personal settings to be the best advocate you can be for both
your community and clients. Paralegals can use their profession to not only assist others but can
affect change within the legal professional community by affecting rules that can widen the
paralegal's impact and visibility.
You can have a significant impact on the paralegal profession by implementing
and sustaining the highest standards
of ethics as a legal professional. These ethics include
maintaining professional relationships, confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts
of interests. By
setting high standards for yourself and your work product you have the opportunity to provide the
best support for your attorney( s) and clients (whether they be a corporation, a non-profit or an
individual). Your work product must be supported by legal research, court decisions and judicial
opinions. Ethics
play a significant role in your work product by incorporating legal statutes, research and case
law that can set precedents to support or disprove the matter at hand.