OCCUPATION THESAURUS

PARALEGAL



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HELPFUL TIP:

There’s probably a good reason why your character chose their career. Think about how certain talents and skills, a dominant positive or negative trait, or even an emotional wound might have influenced this decision. And once they're on the job, don't forget about the many work-related conflict scenarios you can throw at them to create tension and add complications.
OVERVIEW:
A paralegal is a qualified person retained by a lawyer to perform a variety of research and preparation tasks for legal cases. Duties might include investigating areas of the law that pertain to the case, working directly with the client to understand and catalogue the case's facts, booking and organizing meetings, researching and helping to interview witnesses, preparing legal document drafts (but not signing them) for the lawyer, organizing witnesses, evidence, and experts, taking notes, preparing and filing documents in a timely manner, acting as a liaison with court officials and other parties tied to the case, managing deadlines, and assisting the lawyer in whatever way is needed. Paralegals are prohibited from any tasks that constitute "practicing law" (such as accepting cases, offering legal advice, representing a client, or determining fees).

NECESSARY TRAINING:
Paralegals can take a twoyear certificate course or may also have a degree. Because of the wide range of duties they perform, most paralegals will have strong computer, writing (and grammar), organization, and communication skills, and have some training in client interactions so they can present a professional face on behalf of the agency. They are incredibly detail-oriented and organized as even the smallest mistake can be disastrous for a case.

USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES:
A KNACK FOR LANGUAGES, BLENDING IN, CHARM, ENHANCED HEARING, EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY, GAINING THE TRUST OF OTHERS, GOOD LISTENING SKILLS, MULTITASKING, PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY, READING PEOPLE, STRATEGIC THINKING, WRITING

HELPFUL POSITIVE TRAITS:
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HELPFUL NEGATIVE TRAITS:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS THAT MAY HAVE FACTORED INTO THIS OCCUPATION CHOICE:
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SOURCES OF FRICTION:
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PEOPLE THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH:
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HOW THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT IMPACT ONE'S BASIC NEEDS:
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REASONS THE CHARACTER MAY HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO THIS PROFESSION:
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