Paralegal's Legal Ethics

Ethics is defined as the measure by which actions are measured. Since paralegals are experts, they are adhered to higher ethical standards than average people. Vocational ethics is governed by a set of written rules that establish restrictions on permitted actions in contact with experts with others and how to advance vocational training.

The general ethics that all paralegals need to know and work is as follows.

1. If you do not feel it is right, please do not proceed until it is done.
2. Read and understand ethics regulations.
3. Please check everyone who has a contract understanding that you are a lawyer, not a lawyer.
4. To those who do nothing about the case, please do not say anything about that case. Keeping your trust.
5. Please do not be overwhelmed by knowing what legal advice is available and giving it.
6. Never touch your counterparty in a legal dispute without your permission from your supervising lawyer.
7. When you do not know how to complete the assignment, reveal your lack of experience.
8. Do not sign anything unless you know exactly what you are allowed to sign.
9. Please never fill your time sheet.
10. Know the rationalization of unethical behavior.
    1. It is always done.
    2. The other side does that.
    3. The cause of our client is merely a thing.
    4. If I do not do it, I endanger my work.

Also, in principle, legal advisors need to know that they are paralegals or lawyers, not lawyers, with all the persons, contacts or people who contacted us. One of the most difficult parts of the ethics field is regulation of law misbehavior. Because each state defines an unauthorized law in a different way, it is difficult to write clear definitions. A common aspect included in all definitions is that if an individual breaches UPL law, it is criminal responsibility.

While working as Paralegal, the five things paralegals absolutely can not do are include:

1. Paralegals can not accept cases from potential customers.

2. Paralegal can not set fee.

3. Paralegals can not directly give customers legal advice.

4. Paralegals can not negotiate legal matters for customers.

5. Paralegal can not represent a client by court setting. (However, there are exceptions to this)

I strongly urge the American Bar Association to read the model rules of professional behavior within the scope of employment with regard to paralegal ethics.