What Legal Services Can a Paralegal Do?

Attorneys may be the face of the courtroom, but it’s the paralegals working behind the scenes who help keep the entire legal system running smoothly.

So, what legal services can a paralegal do?

That’s a great question, and it’s one that many people don’t fully understand.

Paralegals wear many hats in the legal world. Without their research, organization, and support, cases wouldn’t move forward as efficiently—or sometimes, at all.

In this post, we will help you understand paralegal duties and responsibilities, touching on the importance of compliance with state regulations and attorney supervision.

Related:

General Scope of Paralegal Work

Paralegals are skilled legal professionals who work side by side with attorneys, often acting as their right-hand assistants. Depending on where they work and the area of law they specialize in, their day-to-day tasks can vary significantly (more on this later).

That said, there are some core responsibilities that most paralegals take on, regardless of the setting. Core services provided by paralegals include:

  • Legal research
  • Drafting legal documents
  • Managing client files
  • Case preparation
  • Filing paperwork with the courts

The legal work paralegals can do must only be done under the supervision of a licensed attorney. This is not just a workplace rule; it’s a legal one.

Common Legal Services Paralegals Provide

Let’s zoom in a bit more and look at the typical day-to-day paralegal services list—the kinds of tasks most paralegals can legally perform, no matter where they work.

Legal Research and Writing

Paralegals are often the go-to people for researching statutes, prior court decisions, and regulations. They summarize their findings in clear, concise memos that attorneys use to build arguments or understand legal precedent.

Drafting Documents

This type of service covers:

  • Contracts: Business agreements, employment terms, lease agreements.
  • Pleadings: Complaints, answers, motions.
  • Subpoenas: Requests for documents or testimony.
  • Wills and Trusts: Drafting the initial templates for attorney review.
  • Discovery Requests: Questions and document demands for the opposing party.

While the attorney is responsible for reviewing and approving these drafts, the paralegal does the heavy lifting to get things started.

Client Communication

One of the key tasks paralegals are allowed to perform is acting as the bridge between the attorney and the client. They gather information, explain procedures, and follow up on paperwork. However—and this is crucial—they cannot give legal advice.

Trial Preparation

Think of paralegals as behind-the-scenes organizers. They help:

  • Organize evidence and exhibits
  • Create witness lists and timelines
  • Set up courtroom tech or visual aids

Court Filings and Docket Management

Paralegals are often in charge of e-filing court documents, keeping track of deadlines, and managing the case docket so that nothing gets missed. Missing a filing deadline can derail a case, so this task is a big deal.

Case Management

From scheduling client meetings to maintaining calendars of court dates, paralegals make sure that everything runs like a well-oiled machine.

What Paralegals Are NOT Allowed to Do

It’s very important to have a good understanding of what a paralegal can and cannot do. We’ve covered what they can do; let’s talk about what they are NOT allowed to do. And this is very important because crossing the line can lead to serious legal and ethical problems for both the paralegal and the law firm.

Paralegals must not do the following:

  1. Practice law or represent clients in court.
  2. Give legal advice or set fees.
  3. Sign legal documents or appear as legal counsel.

The rules aim to prevent the unauthorized practice of law paralegals can possibly commit. UPL happens when someone who isn’t a licensed lawyer performs tasks reserved for attorneys. It’s illegal and can lead to penalties like fines, disciplinary action, or even criminal charges.

State-by-State Variations in Paralegal Services

One important thing to know: the legal work paralegals can do isn’t the same everywhere. In the U.S., every state sets its own rules for what paralegals can and can’t do.

For example:

  • California requires paralegals to meet specific education and continuing education standards.
  • Florida has a voluntary Registered Paralegal Program through the Florida Bar.
  • Other states, like Texas, have no certification requirement, but law firms may still set their internal qualifications.

That’s why both paralegals and law firms must check with state bar associations or regulatory boards before defining a paralegal’s role.

Visit Paralegal Regulation by State to learn more about what legal services a paralegal can do by state.

Working Environments and How Services May Vary

Paralegals work in a wide variety of settings, and their day-to-day duties can look very different depending on where they land.

Law Firms

This is the most common setting. The paralegal role in a law firm would depend on the firm’s specialization. Nevertheless, their tasks often focus on preparing documents, managing discovery, and supporting attorneys during trials.

Government Agencies

Paralegals in government may handle public records, assist with administrative hearings, or help prepare legal arguments in cases brought by or against the government.

Corporate Legal Departments

The main services provided by paralegals in-house are focused on helping companies with compliance, contracts, and internal investigations. They might assist with everything from employment law to intellectual property.

Nonprofits and Legal Aid

Here, paralegals help provide access to justice for those who can’t afford an attorney. They assist with housing disputes, immigration issues, and more, though always under attorney supervision.

Emerging Trends in Paralegal Services

As the legal world changes, so does the role of the paralegal. In recent years, new trends have expanded what paralegals do.

Technology-Driven Tasks

More paralegals are using AI and automation to handle routine tasks like document review, e-discovery, and legal research, making their work faster and easier.

About 75% of law firms say automation boosts their productivity. Most use cloud-based tools to work securely from anywhere, and these platforms keep growing, expected to hit $26 billion this year (2025).

Virtual Work

A 2023 survey found 42% of freelance paralegals work fully from home. Most law firms now use cloud tools and video calls so paralegals can work anywhere.

It gives paralegals more flexibility and helps firms save money while hiring the best talent. Everyone wins with remote work!

Specialized Roles

About 60% of paralegals are now pursuing special certifications to stand out, showing how much expertise clients and firms want. In the coming years, it’s common to see paralegals focusing on niche areas like:

  • Intellectual property
  • Cybersecurity
  • Healthcare law

Independent and Freelance Paralegal Services

Another trend is the rise of freelance or independent paralegals. These professionals can still do all the paralegal services listed. They often work as contractors, providing services directly to attorneys or law firms on a case-by-case basis.

However, it’s important to understand that freelance paralegals still cannot work directly with the public unless under attorney supervision.

Even as freelancers, they must avoid the unauthorized practice of law. They can’t take on a client and draft a will or file a lawsuit without an attorney being involved.

So, while the gig economy is alive and well in the legal world, they have to be extra careful to answer exactly what legal services a paralegal can do.

Supervision and Ethical Boundaries

No matter how sharp or experienced a paralegal is, again, there’s one rule that never changes—they have to work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. That’s just how it works. No wiggle room.

Paralegals also have to stick to some pretty firm ethical rules. Questions such as “What does a paralegal do legally?” are laid out through rules of organizations like:

  • NFPA (National Federation of Paralegal Associations)
  • NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants)
  • ABA (American Bar Association)

These groups help make sure paralegals stay professional—things like keeping client info private, staying honest, and not crossing legal lines. If someone steps out of bounds? It’s a big deal. They could be disciplined, or in some cases, lose their job altogether.

Resources for Understanding Paralegal Scope of Work

If you’re looking to dive deeper into what a paralegal can legally do, here are some excellent resources:

  • State Bar Associations: Most have guidelines specific to paralegals.
  • American Bar Association (ABA): Their Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegal Services is a great place to start.
  • Professional Organizations: Groups like NALA, NFPA, and the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) offer education, training, and certification.

Conclusion

Paralegals might not be in the spotlight like attorneys, but make no mistake—they’re the glue that holds the legal process together. They handle a ton of important work:

  • doing legal research
  • drafting documents
  • managing case files
  • helping attorneys stay on top of deadlines

They bring order to chaos and help law firms (and their clients) stay on track.

And as the legal world keeps growing and changing, so does the role of the paralegal. They’re embracing technology, diving into specialized legal fields, and even working remotely from across the globe. Staying up to date with legal trends, tech, and ethical rules is a must.