Paralegals continue to assume new roles and responsibilities in both private law firms and in the corporate law environment. Paralegal tasks may include helping an attorney prepare for a closing, hearing, trial or a corporate meeting. Paralegals may also be called upon to gather background information relative to a case. In addition, paralegals may be asked to help prepare pleadings, motions and affidavits, and to assist attorneys during trials. A paralegal’s daily regime may even include being responsible for overseeing the core functions of managing an office.
A paralegal’s duties will vary based upon the environment in which they work. A corporate paralegal’s responsibilities will vary from that of a paralegal at a private law firm, whose responsibilities will be different than those of a paralegal employed by the government, and so on.
Varying roles are also found within the Central Illinois Paralegal Association. At any one of our monthly meetings, you may find a government paralegal sitting next to a litigation or intellectual property paralegal, who is sitting across from another paralegal who works an hour away at a private law firm. This diverse environment is what provides the Central Illinois Paralegal Association with its foundation. We, as paralegals, have a wealth of responsibilities and these responsibilities continue to grow, however, it is through our interaction with one another that we continue to expand our expertise within our chosen profession. I encourage you to attend one of our meetings, network with your peers, get to know us and become better educated regarding the ever-growing and ever-changing role of a paralegal. Learning and growing are always in style.
Gale Grant
President
Central Illinois Paralegal Association, celebrating our 24th year!!