Do you stay on the right side of the law? The line between practicing law and doing your job as a paralegal one can be extremely tricky. No paralegal wants to put their attorneys legal license on the line, even though we often know the answers our clients need, and may be more available. For me, once a client becomes comfortable working with me, and know that I have faster access to the attorney, they often will call or email asking all kinds of legal questions. Even when I know the answer, my answer to them is always the same: I will let them know you called with that question and will have them get back to you as soon as they can. For me, staying safely on the right side of that line is a must.

As frustrating as it is, our ethical obligation to ensure we are not acting as attorneys is not only a legal issue, but it's one that helps us build trust with our attorneys. When your attorneys know that they can trust you to make the right choices, they feel like they've struck gold. There will be plenty of times to show off what you've learned and to let your experience shine through!

If you want to learn more about how to stay on the right side of ethics, read more here: Tips for Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

Nathan Ciulla