Working from home, or virtually, has become the norm in 2020. Many professions have transitioned to doing business remotely, and many professionals in the title insurance industry have begun performing their tasks virtually. One such position that’s able to operate almost completely virtually is that of the paralegal.
Paralegals are essential to any law firm or title insurance agency as they assist both lawyers and their clients. On one hand, they are responsible for drafting complex legal documents and performing in-depth research into different laws and rulings. However, they’re also tasked with helping their clients understand the intricacies of the law as well as any contracts they’re entering into.
The paralegal is crucial to making sure any transaction, court proceeding, or other legal process goes off smoothly. Here’s an overview of what a typical day as a paralegal looks like, as well as some of the advantages to working remotely as a paralegal.
What a Typical Day May Look Like for a Paralegal
A paralegal helps their attorney keep things running smoothly. To properly do this, they are responsible for organizing paperwork, drafting important documents, performing legal research, and assisting clients.
A virtual paralegal may do all of that at home. Some virtual paralegals are employed directly by a law firm while others may work as independent contractors who assist multiple attorneys at once. No matter the style of employment, a paralegal is always directly supervised by the attorney they’re working under.
In a typical workday, a virtual paralegal may do some or all of the following tasks:
- Organizing case files
- Interviewing clients or providing basic services
- Corresponding with counsels and witnesses
- Writing legal briefings or documents
- Researching case laws
- Analyzing court records
- Preparing clients for upcoming hearings
- Maintaining financial records
The Advantages of Working From Home as a Paralegal
Whether you work for a dedicated law firm or as an independent contractor, there are many benefits to working remotely as a paralegal. To begin, you save valuable time every morning and afternoon with no commute into an office. This allows for extra sleep, exercise in the morning, and any other habits that may improve your quality of life.
Working virtually can often be less stressful for individuals who like peace and quiet to perform research, write and edit legal documents, and do other legal legwork for their attorneys. As most of us have learned in 2020, virtual meetings can be just as efficient as in-person ones when it comes to task briefings and interviews.
If you’re working as an independent contractor, specifically, there are other unique benefits. You can set your own hours, work for more than one attorney, and choose a more interesting variety of industries to work within.
Tips for Working From Home
With all the benefits that come from working from home, there are also some unique drawbacks. Here are some tips for creating a healthy work-life-balance as you work from home:
Set up a Home Office
Create a designated space for getting your work done. Even if it’s just a corner of your apartment or a spare nook where you can set up a desk—make sure you have a dedicated workspace. Working in bed or from the couch is not conducive to a productive day.
Keep it clean and bright but away from any distractions. Speaking of distractions: you may also consider setting time limits or schedule controls for social media platforms on your phone—that way you aren’t distracted by incoming notifications that aren’t work-related.
Keep to a Schedule
This one is easier said than done but it can have a huge impact on your workday! Try to keep the same schedule you would if you were going into an office. Find a routine that works for you and stick to it.
In addition, schedule short breaks throughout the day so you’re not just staring at a computer screen for eight straight hours. Get up and walk around, stretch, and take a lunch break.
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