Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

Independent paralegals are often synonymous with which terms?

1. Corporate paralegals and legal assistants

2. Freelance paralegals and legal technicians

3. Intern paralegals and law clerks

4. In-house paralegals and trial attorneys

The correct answer is: Freelance paralegals and legal technicians

Independent paralegals are often referred to as freelance paralegals and legal technicians because they operate as self-employed professionals who provide legal services directly to clients rather than working under the supervision of an attorney or within a corporate legal department. This arrangement allows them to offer services on a flexible basis and cater to a variety of clients, often helping with tasks such as document preparation, legal research, and filing, without being tied to a specific employer. Freelance paralegals typically have the autonomy to set their own schedules and choose their projects, which aligns with the concept of independence in this profession. Legal technicians, on the other hand, may have more specialized training to assist clients directly in certain legal matters, emphasizing the increasing trend towards allowing more accessibility and affordability in legal services through independent roles. This connection to independence highlights the distinct nature of these terms as they relate to the growing landscape of non-traditional legal work.