PARALEGAL Corner
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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 on 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 . Whether you are a Florida Registered Paralegal , NALA Certified Paralegal or a Florida Certified Paralegal we are expected to act . We are bound by the same rules as attorneys and we need to make sure that we are following them .
There are two basic undeniable truths about our legal career :
Our work is deadline-drive and detail oriented , and our career success is solely our responsibility .
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 .
Professional proactive paralegals are always looking ahead and planning for the future and implementing strategies to enhance their professional ability .
It is important to continue to enhance your skills and knowledge through continuing legal education and paralegal certification programs along with career development workshops . Become a Florida Bar - Florida Registered Paralegal and at minimum receive an associate degree in paralegal studies from an ABA approved program . By doing this , you increase your credibility in the profession .
Our profession is changing so we continually strive to seek legal education opportunities looking to the future to what it holds for our profession .
Equally important is staying atop emerging technologies along with the changing nature of our profession . Tap others ’ expertise . Mentors and other colleagues can make professional introductions and provide legal experience . Get out and network . Learn from your peers . Become a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association – Paralegal Committee as well as our statewide association – Paralegal Association of Florida , Inc . which has a local Palm Beach County Chapter .
Mingling with other members of the paralegal community to stay on top of the professional expectations by networking , joining professional organizations helps paralegals maintain their career goals , community service and professionalism – this is a means to an end . Once again , true career goals , community service and professionalism are an “ attitude .” The question you need to ask yourself – “ 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 .
We have the ground work regarding our professional expectations – let me remind you about the FRP Rule 20 and the new “ Florida Bar Professionalism Expectations .” On September 10 , 2015 The Supreme Court of Florida amended the Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints by deleting references to “ The Florida Bar Ideals and Goals of Professionalism ” and replacing them with “ The Florida Bar Professionalism Expectations .” This not only affects attorneys but includes , staff , paralegals , and Judicial Assistants .
PBCBA BAR BULLETIN 14
You can find the guidelines and rules at www . flabar . org under the Professionalism link at the top of the home page and scrolling down to the section on “ Regulating Professionalism .” Paralegals should be aware of the contents of Rule 20-7 Code of Ethics and Responsibility and specifically Sections ( b ) to ( h ).
The Rules of Professional Conduct contain specific provisions regarding conflicts of interest and other ethical issues , and 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 .
Become a proactive paralegal and you will have a positive influence on your future . The Florida Bar definitely takes Professionalism very serious and so should paralegals and all law firm staff .
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