A SAMPLING OF PARALEGAL DUTIES AND SKILLS

 

CORPORATE LAW PARALEGAL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PARTNERSHIPS

  • Identify and solicit information from client necessary to draft the partnership agreement and related filings with state and county agencies
  • Develop checklists to be used in client interviews and as guidelines for proper formation and operation of each entity
  • Draft statement of partnership and certificates of limited partnership
  • Draft agreements for dissolution of partnership and noncompetition agreements for selling partners

INCORPORATION

  • Check availability of corporate name and reserve name
  • Draft articles of incorporation, by-laws, organizational minutes, stock certificates for initial subscribers, etc.
  • Obtain and prepare minute book, corporate seal, stock certificates, stock ledger, etc.
  • Prepare and file appropriate documents with the Secretary of State, Department of Corporations, Internal Revenue Service and/or the Franchise Tax Board

CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS

  • Draft resolutions, waivers, minutes, approvals of action and related documents
  • Draft amendment or restatement of articles, articles of merger, dissolution of the corporation, etc.
  • Prepare and file appropriate documents corresponding to an issuance of new stock or a transfer of stock ownership
  • Draft corporate resolutions and other documents involved with corporate dividends, stock splits, purchasing shares, liquidations and distributions in general shares
  • Draft buy-sell agreements, employment agreements, assignments, promissory notes, leases, etc.
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Familiarity with federal, state, and county forms regarding corporations and partnerships and the filing procedures
  • Familiarity with the Corporations Code
  • A working knowledge of profit sharing and pension plans, stock options, deferred compensation, incentive compensation plans and insurance programs

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LITIGATION LAW PARALEGAL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION

  • Attend initial meeting with client
  • Organize and analyze; file and prepare chronologies
  • Draft, file and serve summons and complaint
  • Draft, file and serve answer or other responsive pleadings
  • Conduct or supervise fact investigation (i.e., interview witnesses, site inspection, locate material evidence)

DISCOVERY

  • Draft discovery documents and prepare responses
  • Digest and analyze responses to discovery requests and document procedures
  • Digest deposition transcripts
  • Draft motions and stipulations
  • Arrange for and work with expert witnesses
  • Perform legal, non-legal and medical research
  • Obtain, review and analyze medical records
  • Obtain, review and organize damages information; calculate damages and prepare, maintain and update damage summaries

TRIAL

  • Draft pretrial statements and settlement conference memoranda
  • Prepare or supervise preparation of graphs and demonstrative exhibits for use at trial
  • Prepare trial notebooks and trial exhibits
  • Prepare and coordinate witnesses
  • Draft jury instructions, motions in limine and voir dire questions

POST-TRIAL

  • Order and summarize trial transcripts for appeal purposes
  • Draft memorandum of costs or motion to tax costs
  • Draft notice of appeal
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Good organizational skills
  • Knowledge of rules of civil procedure and local rules of court
  • Familiarity with Judicial Council forms and procedures for filing
  • Ability to understand and analyze legal issues
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely

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PROBATE/ESTATE PLANNING LAW PARALEGAL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Meet with client and attorney at initial meeting
  • Review and analyze will and trust provisions
  • Draft petition for probate and supporting documents
  • Maintain financial records of estate
  • Prepare and file probate documents in administration of estate or summary administration
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Ability to work with clients in a stressful and sensitive situation
  • Knowledge of Probate Code
  • Familiarity with local court probate rules, county recorder’s rules and procedures and county assessor’s requirements
  • Understanding of will and trust provisions
  • Knowledge of distribution and closing of estates

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TRANSACTIONAL LAW PARALEGAL

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Draft subdivision, condominium and timeshare registrations for in-state and out-of-state registrations
  • Draft registrations of recreational subdivisions for federal registrations
  • Organize recording procedures for large-scale recording and prepare draft of opinion letters
  • Conduct title searches in the recorder’s office or order title search and updates
  • Prepare a preliminary abstract of title and opinion on the title
  • Negotiate title insurance coverage
  • Arrange for the purchase of title insurance
  • Assist clients in obtaining mortgage financing
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Notary license preferred
  • Ability to read and understand legal descriptions, title reports, leases and contracts
  • Familiarity with title company forms (i.e. escrow instructions, preliminary title search, CCR’s, easements descriptions, liens and recorded judgments, policy of title insurance, trust deeds and grant deeds)
  • Knowledge of local zoning regulations, local property tax schedules and rules
  • Knowledge of basic accounting