Law & Society

A virtual paralegal is a paralegal that is independently contracted by a lawyer or law firm to provide paralegal support services on an as needed basis. They communicate with their clients remotely through the use of technology such as the internet, e-mail, fax and other remote access systems.

The target markets for the services of virtual paralegals are solo practitioners, small law firms and in-house legal departments. Most virtual paralegals work from their home office and by using a notebook computer with a secure internet connection; they can complete their assignments anywhere.

The education and skills necessary to become a virtual paralegal is the same as a paralegal who works in the office. Paralegals may have a variety of formal education. Some obtain a one-year certificate, while others have two-year or four-year degrees in paralegal studies. Some paralegals have a combination of some form of paralegal education and a four-year degree in another area of study. In addition to a formal education, The Virtual Paralegal Training Center offers online training to virtual paralegals regarding starting and operating their business.

The general start-up cost for a virtual paralegal business can range from $2,000 to $5,000. Generally, virtual paralegals fees range from $30 - $100 per hour. The types of tasks that are delegated to virtual paralegals depend on their practice areas. An attorney may ask a corporate paralegal to draft an article of incorporation, by-laws and organize company records whereas; a bankruptcy attorney may ask a virtual paralegal to draft petitions.

Virtual paralegals are not required to hold a license in order to perform their duties as paralegals. However, the main legal restriction for operating a virtual paralegal business is for a virtual paralegal to work exclusively under the supervision of attorneys to prevent unauthorized practice of law. They are to always represent themselves as the paralegal and never an attorney and maintain a log of all their clients and projects to prevent any conflicts of interests.

Confidentiality is one of the top concerns for attorneys hiring virtual paralegals. Virtual paralegals have to convince attorneys that they can offer the same level of confidentiality as if they were working in the attorney’s law office. They are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement as well as to take other necessary steps to keep their clients projects confidential. It is common practice for a virtual paralegal to have their clients’ files locked away in a safe place. Advances in technology have brought into being several virtual law practices and attorneys today are now more comfortable working with virtual paralegals.

My advice to new virtual paralegals is to make sure they know their business inside out. There is little or no on the job training. I would suggest that entry level paralegals start out as virtual assistants and work their way up to virtual paralegals. I would also encourage new virtual paralegals to start out on a part-time basis and gradually grow their business.