Paralegals and Staff
Paralegals
Personally Assisting Your Case
Thank you for considering the Law Offices of Piazza & Simmons to handle your current legal matter. It is our goal to provide you with cost-effective professional services. One of the methods this firm employs to deliver those services is the use of paralegals to handle certain aspects of you case.
Paralegals have been educated to perform certain tasks that formerly were done sole by attorneys. Their education has prepared them to assist attorneys in those tasks, which do not require the rendering of a legal opinion. In our firm, paralegals work closely with the attorney assigned to handle your case. No matter what task a paralegal may be performing on your behalf, you can be assured that your attorney is supervising the work.
- What is a paralegal?
Paralegals are law office employees who have not been admitted to practice law but who perform legal tasks also performed by attorneys, and who are under the general supervision and control of attorneys. Everything a paralegal does can be done by an attorney. A paralegal cannot, however, do everything an attorney can do. A paralegal cannot:
- Appear in court on your behalf
- Give legal advice
- Act in your behalf without the supervision of an attorney.
Your attorney will review everything that a paralegal does. Paralegals, or legal assistants as they are sometimes called, are one of the nation's fastest growing occupational groups.
- Why do we employ paralegals?
The use of paralegals enables this firm to render quality legal services at a lower cost to you. Experience and training allows the paralegal to perform many of the tasks that would ordinarily be performed by an attorney, but do not always require the attorney's legal expertise. The supervising attorney delegates these tasks to the paralegal. This practice allows the firm to charge less for its services and reduces the cost to you.
- What can a paralegal do for you?
Just as your attorney can provide a wide range of legal services to you, so can the paralegal, under the direction of a supervising attorney. Your attorney may ask the paralegal to: 
- Interview you to gather background information.
- Correspond with you, attorneys, and others on factual matters.
- Update you on the status of your case.
- Gather pertinent information and records relevant to you legal questions.
- Draft pleadings and documents.
- Assist in preparation of tax returns.
- Prepare you for court hearings.
- Schedule and organize real estate closings.
- Assist you attorney with any other tasks he/she deems necessary.
There are many specific tasks not listed here that a paralegal can perform. The paralegal you speak with will inform you about the services that he/she will be performing on you behalf. Remember, the paralegal is here to help you, and assist the attorney with your case. However, a paralegal cannot give legal advice. If you ask a question requiring legal advice, the paralegal will direct that question to your attorney, and may relay the attorney's advice and instructions to you.
- Will your confidence be protected?
A paralegal, working in your attorney's office, will follow the same ethical guidelines imposed on attorneys by the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct. Your attorney is obligated to maintain your confidences. The paralegal, as the attorney's assistant, also seeks to maintain your confidences.
- What kind of training and education does a paralegal have?
Paralegals can be trained by the law firm, or in a formal academic setting. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of colleges and universities that offer paralegal education and training on an undergraduate and post-graduate level. The American Bar Association has established criteria for paralegal education. American Bar Association approval is seen as a sign of program quality but is not mandated by any licensing or governmental authority. Paralegals, like attorneys, must keep abreast of changes in the law.
Office Staff
