Who Does What in a Law Practice?

🧠Note

Paralegals are not licensed to practice law. All work is done under the supervision of an attorney in accordance with ABA and state-specific guidelines. Some jurisdictions permit paralegals to sign certain documents; it is usually stated in the professional code conduct for the jurisdiction.

Sources:

American Bar Association: What Paralegals Can Do

National Federation of Paralegal Associations

State Bar Associations (e.g., California, Texas, Florida, Rhode Island)

Managerial Tasks Paralegals Handle to Drive a Profitable Law Firm

In today’s competitive legal landscape, leveraging managerial paralegal tasks empowers lawyers to focus on billable work and grow a profitable law firm. Skilled paralegals streamline operations, reduce overhead, and ensure compliance across critical back‑office functions:

• Retrieving Records & FOIA Requests
  Paralegals efficiently obtain medical, financial, and public records, while expertly drafting and managing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. By handling document acquisition, they eliminate costly delays and keep case timelines on track.
• Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting
  From tracking receivables to reconciling trust accounts, our paralegals maintain accurate ledgers and generate monthly financial reports. Maintaining clean books helps law firms monitor profitability and make data‑driven decisions.
• Paying Bills & Vendor Management
  Paralegals oversee invoice processing, vendor negotiations, and timely bill payment. By centralizing accounts payable, they prevent late fees, preserve professional relationships, and safeguard your firm’s credit.
• Handling Payroll & Benefits Administration
  Managing staff payroll, withholding taxes, and administering benefits requires precision. Paralegals ensure compliance with employment regulations and alleviate the headaches of HR administration.

The aforementioned list does not fully encompass the managerial duties a lawyer might assign to a paralegal to promote scalable growth and enhance financial well-being. The Best Virtual Paralegal Team has published numerous blog posts over several years promoting increased delegation of managerial duties to paralegals in articles as Virtual Assistant vs. Virtual Paralegal vs. Online Business Manager and Paralegal Entrepreneurs are More.

By delegating these essential managerial functions to a virtual paralegal team, you reduce overhead, improve cash flow, and sharpen your competitive edge.

📌Ready to Work Smarter?

Collaborate with the Best Virtual Paralegal Team today to offload administrative burdens and boost your bottom line. Contact us now to schedule a complimentary consultation and discover how our expert paralegals can transform your practice.