KNOW, the Magazine for Paralegals Summer 2014 | Page 30

Virtual paralegals, not to be confused with legal document preparers, or LDA’s, as they are called in California, work strictly for attorneys and do not perform any legal work for the public. Most virtual paralegals work from home and never meet their attorney clients in person. They communicate via phone, Skype, e-mail and sometimes text messages. Documents are delivered by email or, in some cases, secure document sharing software or snail mail. For many, the use of virtual paralegals is changing the way law is practiced. Not only is technology relied upon more heavily but projects are no longer assigned and completed with an open-ended, billable hour focus. Work is streamlined in a much more efficient and problem solving manner. Myth No. 2: “ACK! She’s out to take my job!” Truth: No, she isn