One of the most significant factors inflating legal costs is the
use of people with seniority (and billing rates) higher than is necessary. For example, in
case after case we find partners and associates performing paralegal tasks (and, of
course, billing them at partner and associate rates). You have every right to insist that
your firms permit paralegal tasks to be preformed only by paralegals. At the very least,
you have the right to insist that if paralegal tasks are performed by attorneys, those
tasks should nevertheless be billed to you at paralegal rates.
Clearly people can reasonably differ as to which tasks can be appropriately be assigned
to paralegals. To assist you in reaching your own conclusions as managers of outside
counsel, we are reproducing the following list of tasks that are in fact performed by
paralegals. The list appeared originally at Inter-Law's(tm) 'lectric Law Library(tm) ,
http://www.inter-law.com. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but is an example of
the types of assignments that some people believe can be delegated to paralegals. Some you
will agree with, others not. At the least we hope it will give you something to think
about.
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page.
[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
GENERAL
* Conduct interviews w/clients to gather background info. * Correspond w/clients,
counsel, & others on factual matters. * Inform client periodically of case/matter
status. * Draft pleadings & documents. * Organize & maintain forms & client
files. * Index or summarize documents or transcripts. * Assemble & analyze records
from courts or agencies relevant to a case or client. * Prepare clients for court
hearings. * Assist in administering law library. * Review legal periodicals & material
relevant to a specialty area of law. * Maintain current binders of court rules. * Maintain
calendar or tickler system. * Administer paralegal program. * Research law, including
procedural, administrative, or case law. * Keep track of & report any pending
legislation that may affect clients.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
BANKRUPTCY
* Interview client to obtain info for filing petition & schedules. * Give client
written lists of documents needed, i.e., tax returns, certificate of title, life
insurance, liabilities, & so forth. * Obtain list of assets. * Arrange for appropriate
UCC filings & real property searches, appraisals, & so forth. * Review forms to
obtain all necessary data. * Familiarize client w/general procedures at bankruptcy court
hearings, meetings, & motions. * Draft & file petitions & schedules. * Draft
& file proofs of claim. * Meet w/clients for execution of documents. * Handle incoming
& outgoing routine calls & correspondence to creditors, creditors' committee
chairperson & attorney, trustee, & client. * Attend court hearings w/attorney
& client to facilitate flow of documents & info. * Keep track of timetable, i.e.,
when to file motions & serve motions. * Draft motions for avoidance of liens &
reaffi agreements & arrange for execution of same. * Draft, serve, & file debtor's
monthly financial statements in Chapter 11 cases. * Draft, serve, & file complaints in
adversary proceedings. * Draft & file attorney's fee applications. * Attend Section
341(a) meeting. * Attend Chapter 13 Plan confi hearing. * Maintain log to check off
discharge & status of bankruptcy. * Draft judgment searches for appropriate offices. *
Draft request/analyze info as to real estate owned by debtor; prepare lien priority
exhibits for use in trial. * Review clerk's docket & claims register.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
BUSINESS/CORPORATE
* Check availability & reserve corporate name. * Draft & file Articles of
Incorporation. * Complete & file qualification of foreign corporations. * Obtain good
standing certificates from Secretary of State. * Draft bylaws. * Draft notices &
minutes, or consents of organization meeting. * Draft Subscription Agreements. * Issue
& transfer stock, prepare stock certificates & shareholder registers, &
prepare & maintain analyses & charts of outstanding securities. * Draft banking
resolutions. * Draft Shareholder Agreements. * Prepare necessary documents for opening of
corporate bank account. * Draft Employment Agreements. * Complete & file assumed name
certificates. * Complete & file Election by Small Business Corporation &
subsequent shareholders consents to such election. * Complete & file Application for
Employer Identification Number. * Complete & file Application for Workers'
Compensation. * Notify State Tax Commission of stock book location. * Prepare & file
DISC elections. * Complete & file Application for Unemployment Insurance. * Complete
& file Application for Employer Withholding Tax Registration. * Complete & file
application for appropriate licenses to operate specific businesses. * Complete & file
trade name applications, copyright applications, & financing statements. * Order
minute book, stock book, & seal. * Draft & file application for proper licensing
when forming professional or special purpose corporation. * Draft response to auditors'
request for info. * Prepare & file annual reports. * Maintain a tickler system for
annual meetings. * Draft notices, proxy materials, ballots, affidavits of mailing, agendas
for annual meetings &special meetings. * Draft resolutions to be considered by
directors. * Draft oaths & reports of judges of election for annual meeting. * Draft
shareholders' & directors' minutes. * Draft written consents in lieu of meetings. *
Draft documents & correspondence necessary to effect dissolution & liquidation,
consolidating merger & sale of substantially all of the assets of corporations. *
Draft stock option plan, maintain stock option registers & related charts. * Collect
info, draft documents & correspondence necessary to adopt qualified profit-sharing
& pension plans & related trust agreements & other documents. Submit such
materials to I.R.S. for determination letters. * Draft & organize closing documents on
corporate acquisitions. * Draft lease agreements. * Draft Articles of Merger or
Consolidation, Plan of Merger or Consolidation. * Draft closing checklists & closing
memoranda. * Prepare closing files & assist in closing. * Draft articles of
dissolution. * Perform due diligence investigation. * Compile & index documents in
corporate transactions. * Draft partnership agreements & amendments. * Draft
statements of partnership & certificates of limited partnership. * Draft certificates
of amendment to certificates of limited partnership. * Prepare & publish Notice of
Substance of Certificates of General & Limited Partnership. * Draft minutes of
partnership meetings. * Draft non-competition agreements for selling partners. * Draft
Agreement for Dissolution of Partnership. * Draft & publish Notice of Termination of
Partnership (or Continuation of Successor Business). * Draft certificates or cancellation
of certificates of limited partnership. * Draft & file trade name documents &
amended trade name documents. * Draft analysis in connection w/tax planning & draft
state & federal tax returns & prepare for audit. * Prepare documents for
qualification to do business in foreign jurisdictions. * Prepare necessary documents to
amend & restate Articles of Incorporation & amend bylaws. * File & terminate
UCC Financing Statements w/state & county offices. * Search state & county offices
for federal tax liens, UCC filings, deeds, mortgages, & judgments. * Prepare &
file DBAs, certificates of trade names, & certificate of assumed names w/the
appropriate state office. * Prepare & file governmental applications & reports. *
Collect info from & verify filings w/the Secretary of State & other state &
local agencies. * Change registered office or agent. * Prepare reports to the Securities
& Exchange Commission (SEC) & New York Exchange. * Obtain info for SEC & other
public agencies. * Attend corporate meetings. * Prepare & maintain corp records of
subsidiaries, along w/minutes of all incentive compensation plan committees. * Follow up
trademark & patent searches w/Trademark Counsel. * Maintain & file Abandon
Property reports (escheat laws) w/all states. * Prepare Blue Sky survey & Blue Sky
forms & other documentation relating to public & private sale of securities. *
Research facts (e.g. public library, newspaper files, financial publications). * Research
statutes. * Prepare Summary Plan Description.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
COLLECTIONS
* Review documents the client provides. * Conduct asset investigation. * Draft demand
letter to debtor. * Draft summons & complaint. * Draft motions for or in opposition to
summary judgment, including memoranda, & affidavits in support. * Draft judgment, cost
bill, & other supporting pleadings. * Maintain judgment account worksheet to record
payments, collection costs, & court costs. * Draft notice of demand to pay. * Draft,
file & serve documents for Judgment debtor examination. * Appear in court at hearing
for initial claim of plaintiff. * Draft, have issued, & serve writ of garnishment. *
File request for dismissal form. * Draft, have issued, & serve order to release
garnishment. * Draft, have issued, & serve order of examination. * Appear in court
& conduct examination. * Draft, have issued, & serve writ of execution. * Arrange
for indemnity bond from sheriff. * Arrange for posting of notice of sale or publication of
notice of sale. * Maintain communication w/sheriff about levy on personal property. *
Prepare bid & attend sheriffs' sale of real property. * Obtain certified copy of
judgment transcript. * Transfer judgment transcript to a different court. * Obtain
exemplified copy of foreign judgment. * Prepare affidavit for transfer of a foreign
judgment. * Register judgment in a different state. * Prepare & file satisfaction of
judgment.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
FAMILY LAW
* Attend initial interview w/attorney & client & help identify legal problems
that can be referred to other entities. * Collect background info on client, including
marriage certificates, sources of support residence, assets, number of children, & so
forth. * Determine if grounds for divorce or dissolution exist. * Participate in
discussion of other remedies, including counseling, separation, reconciliation, &
mediation. * Draft petition for dissolution or response. * Complete domestic relations
questionnaire. * Draft temporary motions, affidavits, & orders. * Draft notice to
produce. * Draft property settlement agreement. * Determine support requirements &
calculate child support. * Draft decree of dissolution, accompanying motions &
affidavits. * Draft motion & affidavit for modification. * Serve notice on opposing
counsel. * Arrange for service of documents. * Obtain settings for court hearings. *
Maintain contact w/client & handle calls when legal advice is not needed. * Help
client prepare monthly income & expense sheet. * Arrange for appraisals of real
property & personal property. * Draft subpoenas & arrange for service. * Schedule
expert witness interviews & appearance at trial. * Obtain info for discovery,
organize, categorize, & determine completeness of discovery. * Draft proposed
stipulations. * Draft petition for adoption, consent for adoption, decree of adoption. *
Draft petition for name change. * Draft initial or responsive pleadings; check on service
of process, & draft any necessary motions for service. * Explain paralegal
responsibilities to the client. * Draft pendente lite motions. * Prepare file & client
for pendente lite hearing. * Help client complete expert adult abuse petition; arrange for
service; arrange docket hearing date; prepare client & file. * Draft interrogatories;
docket when answers are due; review answers; highlight answers that seem questionable or
questions that have been objected to; forward to responsible attorney. * Set depositions;
have subpoena duces tecum served;arrange for court reporter; attend depositions, if
necessary; make sure court reporter is paid; prepare deposition summaries. * Use
custodians through use of subpoena duces tecum to acquire records; arrange for service of
process. * Use public info sources to get info. * Arrange for private investigators. *
Prepare request for admissions; docket when responses are due & follow up. * Preview
incoming discovery requests; docket response deadlines; compile answers & documents;
draft necessary answers. * Interview witnesses & serve subpoenas. * Investigate law
& arrange for expert witnesses. * Keep track of client fee balance. * Prepare for
trial including reviewing file for problems & drafting amended pleadings if necessary.
* Issue trial subpoenas to witnesses, arrange service, & file return of service. *
Update discovery. * Prepare proposed order. * Organize trial exhibits & prepare
exhibit list. * Have charts, graphics, blow-ups, & so forth prepared. * Keep client
informed. * Prepare compliance w/applicable pre-trial order. * Discuss courtroom etiquette
w/client & witnesses. * Prepare attorney's fee exhibit w/estimated total cost through
end of trial. * Notify witnesses of status of trial date & have them "on
call." * Assist attorney at trial. * Manage file at trial. * Assist attorney in
settlement discussions. * Keep track of exhibits introduced & admitted at trial. *
Take notes at trial. * Testify about discovery or summary evidence. * Investigate opposing
sides' unknown witnesses. * Coordinate post-trial follow up including making sure all
files are brought back to office after compliance w/order & inform attorney of any
non-compliance. * Draft motion for new trial or to amend thejudgment. * Prepare QDROs
& get them approved by all interested parties & attorneys. * Draft & file
necessary garnishments, writ of execution, or wage assignments. * Make sure money
judgments are paid timely & partial/full satisfaction of judgments are drafted &
filed. * Draft motion for contempt & show cause orders. * Assist in appeal process
including drafting notices of appeal & statement of case. * Order legal file &
transcript. * Prepare legal file. * File record on appeal. * Draft necessary requests or
motions. * Prepare file & summary for settlement conference w/appellate judge. *
Prepare file & evidentiary exhibits for oral argument. * Drive clients to & from
trial and/or hearings.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
FORECLOSURES
* Order foreclosure report. * Review foreclosure report w/respect to priority of
lienholders & determine parties to be served. * Draft foreclosure complaint. * Draft
trustees notice of sale & arrange for publication. * Prepare & serve trustees
notice of sale on grantors subsequent lien creditor. * Draft motion & support
documents for summary judgment. * Draft motion & order for default. * Draft decree of
foreclosure. * Record all proofs of service, affidavits of mailing, & publication
prior to sale. * Check for federal tax liens 30 days prior to sale. * Draft & serve
notice of nonjudicial sale on IRS if appropriate. * Draft bid sheet for sale. * Draft deed
in lieu of foreclosure. * Attend sale. * Draft post-sale documents, including motion for
writ of assistance. * Appear at time & place set for sale to postpone sale. * Draft
& record trustees deed after sale. * Draft & record notice of maritime lien. *
Draft complaint, satisfaction, & decree for foreclosure of maritime lien. * Draft
correspondence to occupants giving notice to vacate. * Draft complaint in forcible
detainer action to remove occupants. * Take possession, satisfy, & transmit promissory
note & original deed of trust to trustee.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
IMMIGRATION MATTERS
* Interview clients to obtain background info. * Function as liaison between clients
& attorneys. * Maintain tickler system for timely filing of extensions, petition,
& applications. * Prepare applications & petitions for filing w/INS & the
Department of Labor. * Obtain & coordinate documents in support of applications &
petitions. * Coordinate translation of foreign documents. * Coordinate equivalency
evaluations of foreign degrees. * Research immigrant & nonimmigrant visa alternatives.
* File applications & petitions w/officials at INS & DOL. * Obtain monthly visa
numbers from the State Department & update tickler system. * Research availability of
foreign documents & assist clients in obtaining them. * Draft letters & affidavits
in support of applications & petitions. * Function as liaison between INS, DOL, &
attorneys. * Coordinate certification of foreign documents.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and What
Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to
paralegals. Please read through all the parts of the list, it may influence
how you manage your outside counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you
can go to the page table of contents to select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS
* Prepare patent and/or trademark status summary reports. * Maintain docket system for
due dates for responses, renewals, opposition, Section 8 & 15 filings, use affidavits,
& working requirements. * Maintain docket system for payment of patent annuities in
foreign counties. * Conduct patent and/or trademark searches. * Conduct on-line computer
info searches of technical literature for patent/trademarks. * Draft trademark/servicemark
registration application, renewal application, Section 8 & 15 affidavits. * Draft
response to trademark examining attorney's official action. * Draft registered user
agreements. * Draft power of attorney. * Draft copyright applications. * Research
procedural matters, case law, & unfair competition matters. * Search prior art,
patents, & trademarks. * Assist in opposition, interference, infringement, &
related proceedings. * Arrange for visual aids, models, & mock-ups for trial use. *
Communicate w/foreign trademark attorneys & agents about registrations, officials'
actions needing response, & trademark services. * Maintain files of new products &
invention development. * Review patent filings w/engineers. * Draft licenses/agreements
regarding proprietary infor-mation/technology.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
LITIGATION MATTERS
* Draft complaint & bill of particulars. * Draft answer and/or other defensive
pleadings. * Draft interrogs, requests for admission, requests for production of
documents, & requests for examination. * Review client files, & gather &
organize factual data. * Conduct or supervise fact investigation. * Respond to
interrogatories, requests for admission, & production of documents. * Review, index,
gather, & summarize documents produced by opposing & third parties. * Examine
premises, locations, & objects; take notes and/or photographs. * Draft discovery
motions. * Locate, interview, & obtain witness statements. * Arrange for expert
witnesses, interview, & prepare written reports. * Work directly w/experts,
consultants, & witnesses regarding case & prepare them for trial. * Coordinate
projects. * Arrange for outside investigator. * Obtain & examine public records. *
Prepare & serve subpoena duces tecum. * Prepare summons & service of process. *
Draft deposition questions & prepare deposition outline. * Review & assemble
documents to be used in deposition. * Prepare witnesses for deposition. * Arrange for
court reporter & determine need for computerized transcript. * Attend depositions,
take notes, & organize exhibits. * Maintain personal injury plaintiff file incl
contact w/carrier, client, health care provider, & employer. * Index & summarize
depositions & exhibits. * Follow up after depositions, & index deposition
exhibits. * Obtain, review & analyze medical records. * Do medical research. * Compile
records of patent of product, history, & info regarding similar products. * Conduct
medical &technical literature searches, i.e, analysis of mats & preparations of
report synopsis. * Attend, supervise, or monitor product, accident or vehicle inspection.
* Obtain, review, & organize damage info; calculate damages (medical costs, lost
wages, property damages); prepare, maintain, & update damage summaries. * Prepare
settlement brochures in personal injury cases. (Involves assembling info on the history of
plaintiff, the nature & effect of injuries, defects of products in product liability
cases, & damages.) * Obtain factual info regarding products, companies, individuals
from various government agencies, resource facilities, & so forth. * Analyze &
summarize factual info. * Prepare medical notebooks. * Prepare statistical & factual
memoranda. * Prepare market surveys & gather industry statistics. * Draft affidavits.
* Arrange for extensions of time by telephone, letter, and/or motion. * Draft demand
letters, subpoenas, & commissions to take out-of-state depositions. * Trace documents
& other physical evidence. * Develop info retrieval systems, including computerized
systems * Supervise computerized or other system. * Draft legal memoranda and/or briefs. *
Review briefs for accuracy of factual info. * Check cites and/or Shepardize &
proofread briefs. * Coordinate arrangements w/local vendors regarding equipment, space,
& supply requirements, & coordinate witnesses & experts, especially in
out-of-town trials. * Prepare, organize, & mark trial exhibits. * Prepare exhibit list
& monitor exchange of exhibits. * Prepare trial notebooks & witness files. * Draft
list of documents & testimony to use in impeaching opposition witnesses. * Draft
pretrial statements & settlement conference memoranda. * Obtain jury list &
biographical info on jurors. * Draft jury instruction & voir dire. * Conduct
teleconferences to schedule court appearances. * Develop "dossiers" on adverse
experts. * Coordinate witness attendance at trial. * Prepare charts, graphs, &
demonstrative exhibits for use at trial. * Attend trial, noting developments of case,
reactions of jurors, witnesses, & opposing counsel during trial. * Maintain list of
exhibits as mentioned, offered, admitted, or objected to. * Draft cost bill. * Prepare
settlement calculations. * Prepare comparative analysis of terms for potential settlement
agreements. * Attend settlement conferences w/attorney & client. * Draft settlement
documents, including releases & dismissals. * Draft notice of appeal. * Prepare record
on appeal. * Organize appendix for appeal brief. * Order hearing transcripts & prepare
recap or outline of transcripts. * Set up time for filings. * Prepare releases, settlement
documents, & entries of dismissal or satisfaction.
LITIGATION ASSISTANT * Conduct initial interview w/client & obtain necessary
background info. * Correspond w/client about case status & preparation. * Maintain
litigation docket; read legal publications for setting & proceedings in the case. *
Review/summarize rules of procedure in court where action will be filed, & summarize
info for attorney. * Draft lien letter to opposing party or a response to lien letter. *
Arrange medical examinations for client or opposing parties.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING
* Assist attorney w/the initial client meeting. * Prepare & maintain a calendar
system. * Notify heirs & devises of probate proceedings. * Publish notice to
interested persons. * Collect info and/or assets for preparation of inventory & tax
returns. * Accompany fiduciary & court representative to bank for removal of Will from
safety deposit box. * Evaluate assets (date of death & alternate valuation date). *
Draft inventory. * Review creditors' claims. * Maintain financial records of estate. *
Prepare & file probate documents in administration of estate or to relieve estate from
administration. * Surrender insurance policies. * File life insurance claims & other
death benefit claims. * Verify bank balances. * Interpret Will provisions. * Prepare
preliminary tax & cash estimate. * Obtain tax releases. * Prepare income projection. *
Draft state inheritance tax & federal estate tax returns. * Draft decedent's final
federal & state individual income tax returns. * Draft state & federal fiduciary
income tax returns. * Draft petitions & orders for partial distribution. * Draft
accountings. * Help audit tax returns. * Draft distribution schedule. * Draft closing
documents. * Draft federal & state gift tax returns. * Review documents & tax
returns in connection w/an ancillary proceeding. * Draft tax returns for non-probate
estate. * Collect data for estate planning. * Draft wills & trusts. * Draft court
documents for conservatorship. * Draft accountings for conservatorship. * Draft federal
& state tax returns for conservatorship. * Draft court documents for guardianships. *
Make post-mortem planning calculations. * Draft documents for sale of real & personal
property. * Maintain & update form files. * Act as liaison w/probate referee &
probate court. * Arrange for real property appraisals. * Analyze investments for estate
planning. * File Wills. * Prepare Application for Letters & Refusal of Letters. *
Prepare other needed petitions E.G. app for widow's allowance, authority to erect grave
marker, & so forth. * Prepare claims, payment of claims, & receipts. * Maintain
estate bank accounts, investments, & change of address for dividends. * Prepare
settlements & obtain continuances as needed. * Handle transfer of securities &
receipts from distribution. * Order certified copies of documents. * Contact legal or
auditing departments about settlements & other estate matters. * Prepare final
settlement & order for final distribution.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
REAL PROPERTY MATTERS
* Meet w/client to investigate facts. * Draft subdivision, condominium, & timeshare
registrations for in-state & out-of-state registrations. * Draft registrations of
recreational subdivisions for federal registrations. * Organize recording procedures for
large-scale recording & prepare draft of opinion letters. * Perform financial calcs
(amortization, net present value, discounting, APR). * Assist in real estate closing. *
Prepare quit claim deeds or other docs for transfer of ownership of property. * Conduct a
title search or order title search & updates. * Prepare a preliminary abstract of
title & opinion on the title. * Negotiate title insurance coverage. * Arrange for the
purchase of title insurance. * Assist client in obtaining mortgage financing. * Review
mortgage applications for clients that sell mortgages. * Assist in recording mortgages. *
Assemble tax receipts. * Adjust property taxes for closing. * Record capital gains or loss
on client's income tax return. * Prepare appropriate capital gains tax affidavit. * Draft
Truth-in-Lending Disclosure Statements. * Draft & review permits & easements. *
Draft, review, & plot legal descriptions. * Draft grant, warranty, & other deeds.
* Draft deeds of trust & other loan documentation. * Draft leases, assignments,
extensions, & amendments. * Draft contracts, assignments, & modifications. *
Redline changes in documents as each is revised. * Draft & arrange for filing of UCC
statements, amendments, extensions, & terminations. * Prepare closing checklist for
acquisition & loan transactions. * Draft escrow instructions. * Analyze & digest
leases, assignments, extensions, amendments, & deeds. * Review & determine
validity of mineral claims through search & BLM records. * Check & review zoning,
Subdivision Map Act & comprehensive plan designations; obtain letters on designation
as closing requirements. * Review land surveys, parcel maps, & condominium plats. *
Draft closing statements & arrange closing date. * Notify all parties involved of
closing date. * Order amortization table. * Prepare equalization form. * Arrange for
discharge of mortgage. * Obtain closing figures from bank & prorate all closing costs.
* Appear or assist attorney at closing. * Notarize documents at closing. * Follow up on
post-closing items, including preparation of closing index & binder. * Assist client
in obtaining liability insurance (e.g., homeowners policy). * Coordinate office handling
of insurance claims of client. * Prorate real & personal property taxes. * Draft
contract. * Coordinate w/other parties, revise contract, handle contract execution. *
Review contract for critical dates & monitor calendar for deadlines. * Arrange
foreclosure sales & prepare appropriate documentation. * Prepare for bankruptcy
depositions.
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[This is just one part of the listing of What Paralegals Do (and
What Lawyers Shouldn't Do?). The listing reflects actual assignments to paralegals. Please
read through all the parts of the list, it may influence how you manage your outside
counsel with respect to staffing issues. Or you can go to the page table of contents to
select another part of the list of What Paralegals Do (and What Lawyers
Shouldn't Do?) by subject area ]
SECURITIES LAW MATTERS
* Draft registration statement & prospectus. * Organize filing the registration
statement. * Draft 1934 Act Reports. * Draft questionnaire for officers, directors, &
principal shareholders. * Draft promissory notes. * Draft underwriting agreements. * Draft
trust indentures. * Draft bond purchase agreement. * Draft Blue Sky Memoranda & Blue
Sky Registration. * Review status of Blue Sky application. * Draft Legal Investment
Survey. * Notify State Securities Administrators of SEC effectiveness. * Draft & file
dealer and/or salesmen registration documents. * Perfect securities dealer or issuer
exemptions. * Prepare memoranda on the availability of exemptions & requirements (if
any) for registration. * Draft & file docs for registering broker/dealers/salesmen
W/NASD, SEC, & state securities commissions. * Prepare NASDAQ & National Market
System listing applications. * Draft & file documents for renewing or withdrawing the
registration of broker/dealers w/salesmen. * Qualify dealer corporations where applicable.
* Draft Forms 3, 4, 8-K, 10-K, 10-Q. * Draft Form D. * Draft Form 144 & related
documentation. * Draft lease agreement, loan agreement, agreement of sale, facilities
financing agreement ordinance/contracts. * Draft letter of transmittal & other tender
offer documents. * Draft Indenture. * Draft confidential offering memorandum. * Draft
security agreements including deeds, guaranties, mortgages. * Review bond purchase
agreement or underwriting agreement. * Draft summaries of documents for use in preparing
Preliminary Official Statement & Official Statement. * Coordinate accuracy of the
statements w/underwriter. * Finalize basic documents & distribute for execution. *
Draft necessary resolutions authorizing the issuance of the Bonds. * Send bond form to
printer. * Proof first galley of the bonds & check manufacturing schedule, coupon
amounts, & CUSIP numbers. * Check bonds at time of closing & read bond numbered 1.
Draft closing papers for issuer including authorizing resolutions, authentication order to
trustee, incumbency certificate, non- arbitrage certificates, & CUSIP numbers. * Draft
company authorizing resolutions & Officers' Certificates. * Prepare tax election (if
applicable) & arrange for appropriate filing. * Draft recording certificate. * Draft
financing statements. * Obtain certificates from state agencies re: good standing of
company & certified corporate documents. * Attend closing, checking all certificates
& opinions, insurance policies, & legal descriptions. * Compile the closing
transcript, prepare index & organize closing binders. * Draft regulation of public
companies. * Prepare drafts of proxy & proxy statements. * Draft annual report to
shareholder.
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