PARALEGAL CORNER
Professional Proactive Paralegals
PATRICIA C . DERAMUS
Fundamental to the success of any professional is personal integrity and professional ethics which inspired me to share some insights . It is important that we , as paralegals continuously update our education and training to be knowledgeable about current law and governmental rules . We must be highly aware of client confidentiality and adhere to the doctrine of attorney client privilege . This duty of confidentiality is perpetual .
Are you a NALA Certified Paralegal ? If so , we are expected to act accordingly . We are bound by the same rules as attorneys and we need to make sure that we are following them .
First let us review personal integrity . Here is where we act congruently with our values which are societal-accepted values like telling the truth and keeping our word . This corresponds to having minimal conflicts , clear values , acting in accordance with these values , and acting consistently enough over time that we actually manage to produce the results we want in our lives and profession .
We act with honesty , honor , and truthfulness . Integrity is a valuable skill in a paralegal , because it indicates he or she will perform to the best of his or her ability and act on his or her principles .
There are two basic undeniable truths about our legal career :
1 ) Our work is deadline driven and detail oriented , and our career success is solely our responsibility .
2 ) Proactive paralegals engage in long range planning by focusing future activities , projects and events and then anticipating needs , potential problems and future outcomes .
The end result – goals are met and disasters are averted .
The proactive paralegal skill set is made up of the following six essential elements : big picture understanding , situation awareness , future focus , strategic foresight , intentional action , and self-evaluation . Through many real-world examples , the concepts become easy to understand and put into practice .
Professional proactive paralegals are always looking ahead and planning for the future while implementing strategies to enhance their professional abilities . Being a proactive paralegal not only boosts your self-esteem , but also your career . When you are a proactive paralegal , you seek to solve problems before they even arise or become a problem . Being proactive is not limited to helping yourself , but others around you as well . It means having to step out of your comfort zone at times to get involved .
Being a team player is a characteristic that makes up a proactive paralegal . Your goals are to benefit the overall team . You offer to help by looking at the overall need to be successful with the team . Proactive paralegals project positive attitudes . Having a positive attitude allows you to turn any negative or difficult situation around because you have a mental state in which you are seeking the best possible outcome . You also know how to use your smile to reverse the tone of a negative situation . You are resilient and your positive energy will inspire others to strive for excellence at work .
It is important to continue to enhance your skills and knowledge through continuing legal education and paralegal certification programs along with career development workshops . By doing this , you increase your credibility within the profession . Our profession is changing , so we must continually strive to seek legal education opportunities and looking to the future for what it holds for our profession .
If you are fortunate enough as a paralegal to interact with clients from many different industries , the connections you forge will likely be invaluable and may lead to additional career opportunities . These could include mediator , administrator , publicist , development director , and project manager .
Equally important is staying current on emerging technologies , along with the changing nature of our profession . Mentors and other colleagues can make professional introductions and provide legal experience . Get out and “ network .” Learn from your peers . Become a member of a local paralegal association , NALA , Palm Beach County Bar Association Committees , and The Florida Bar – Paralegal Enrichment Committee .
Mingling with other members of the paralegal community helps you stay up to date on professional expectations . Joining professional organizations helps paralegals maintain their career goals , community service and professionalism . This is a means to an end . Once again – career goals , community service and professionalism are an “ attitude .” The question you need to ask yourself is : “ Are you in this profession for the right reasons ?”
Paralegal learning is a life-long professional decision . In the end , it is a sum of small choices . Each time you decide you want to learn something , the experience will be so rewarding that the next time becomes easier .
The Florida Bar has some guidelines such as “ Rules of Professional Conduct ” which contains specific provisions regarding conflicts of interest and other ethical issues . Lawyers , along with paralegals , and staff should be able to rely on those rules for guidance . An attorney , paralegal , and / or staff member must continue to look to the Rules of Professional Conduct for the fundamental ethical principles that govern the profession .
In addition the American Bar Association is involved with the paralegal field and has the “ ABA Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Service ,” which was revised in September 2018 .
Become a proactive paralegal and you will have a positive influence on your future . The Florida Bar definitely takes Professionalism seriously , as should paralegals and all law firm staff .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 11