New York Paralegal Blog

NALA member Barbara A. Bessey, CP, has advised that the Montana Legislature has passed a bill which provides that “in any case or proceeding in which attorney fees are awarded to the prevailing party, the court may, as a component of the attorney fees, include reasonable fees of a paralegal”! Text of the bill is posted on the NALA web site. The bill also defines “paralegal” as a “person qualified through education, training or work experience who is employed or retained to perform, under supervision by a licensed attorney, substantive legal work that: (1) requires a substantial knowledge of legal concepts; and (b) in the absence of the paralegal, would be performed by an attorney. The bill goes on to list qualification so of those who may use the title “paralegal.” Great job Montana paralegals!! See, http://www.nala.org/NalaNews2.aspx

By: Joel Irving According to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the freelance paralegal, also known as a contract paralegal, is no different than a traditional paralegal except to the extent that an attorney in a traditional setting such as a law firm, governmental entity or corporation does not employ him. Rather, many supervising attorneys in these settings retain a freelance paralegal on an as-needed basis. Freelance paralegals are educated and qualified to perform paralegal work just the same as traditionally employed paralegals. Paralegals who are tired of the long commute to the office and paralegals that just want to want to spend more time at home with their children; are setting up shop at home. Freelance paralegals are servicing attorney clients all over the country. With an abundance of available technology, it has never been easier to become a freelance paralegal. Everything that can be done in a brick and mortar law office can be done, conveniently, from t...