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HLA Paralegal Training Program

HLA Paralegal Program

Program Description

Harrington Legal Alliance (HLA) is a Florida law firm established in 2008.  Pursuant Rule 20-2.1(d), Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, HLA has established a paralegal training program in substantial compliance with the American Bar Association (ABA).  Participants in the program are supervised in accordance with R. Regul. FL. Bar 20-2.1(e) for purposes of meeting the requirements for registration with the Florida Bar pursuant R. Regul. FL. Bar 20-2.1(b).  See details below.

Program Criteria

In order to obtain the following designations, the participant must be competent with regard to the indicated tasks.  The participant is competent once he/she is capable of performing the indicated tasks within a reasonable period of time, with minimal supervision and only minor corrections.  By contrast, a participate has not yet achieved competency where (i) a task requires more time than can be reasonably billed to a client, (ii) tasks involve frequent or ongoing explanation from supervisory personnel, and/or (iii) the final work product has to be substantially modified by supervisory personnel.

Paralegal 1

A junior paralegal has minimal experience (usually less than 1 year) but demonstrates the talent and characteristics required to work in a legal environment, including attention to detail, problem-solving ability and effective communication skills (especially in writing).

Equipment & Software

  • basic competency with computer processing, including use of cloud drives, shared servers, and videoconference equipment
  • ability to create digital folders and maintain the same according to firm protocols for labeling and organization
  • ability to scan documents and archive same in digital format, following firm protocols for labeling and organization
  • basic knowledge of word processing software for Word and PDF documents
  • basic knowledge of firm management software

Independence

  • ability to manage time effectively with reasonable oversight and support from other firm personnel
  • ability to communicate effectively with clients and other parties to coordinate phone/video conferences, hearings and other events
  • ability to manage digital calendar, accurately setting events and reminders for firm use
  • ability to follow reasonably straightforward written and verbal instructions from supervising staff members
  • ability to problem solve by researching firm and online resources, rather than constantly asking other staff members
  • awareness of deadlines; no need for regular reminders

Legal Skills

  • ability to write in clear and professional fashion, with minimal grammar and punctuation errors.
  • ability to complete routine legal documents such as letters, notices and other template-based communications or filings
  • ability to create complete, relatively error-free time entries in firm management system

Paralegal 2

A medior paralegal has mastered all the skills of the junior paralegal and is able to perform most tasks with minimal supervision and minimal revision.  A Paralegal 2 is an important asset to the firm in that he/she is able to handle routine tasks in cost-effective fashion, saving attorneys time and saving clients money.  A Paralegal 2 takes on more challenging legal tasks and expands his/her knowledge of laws and procedures applicable to the firm’s practice.

Equipment & Software

  • reliably handles phone and videoconference software equipment, including set up and initiation of conferences and online hearings
  • acts as custodian of the firm’s physical and digital files, ensuring proper labeling and organization
  • thorough knowledge of word processing software, as well as other software specific to the firm’s practice
  • thorough knowledge of firm management software

Independence

  • manages time effectively with minimal oversight and support from other firm personnel
  • provides instructions to junior personnel
  • polished communicator who can be trusted to speak with judicial assistants, outside counsel and clients
  • essentially never requires reminders but, rather, is the one who does the reminding
  • excellent reader, able to comprehend even complex written instructions and information
  • ability to follow reasonably straightforward written and verbal instructions from supervising staff members
  • ability to problem solve by researching firm and online resources, rather than constantly asking other staff members
  • awareness of deadlines; no need for regular reminders

Legal Skills

  • ability to write in clear and professional fashion, with minimal grammar and punctuation errors.
  • ability to complete routine legal documents such as letters, notices and other template-based communications or filings
  • ability to create complete, relatively error-free time entries in firm management system

Paralegal 3

A senior paralegal is an essential asset to the firm

Equipment & Software

  • basic competency with computer processing, including use of cloud drives, shared servers, and videoconference equipment
  • ability to create digital folders and maintain the same according to firm protocols for labeling and organization
  • ability to scan documents and archive same in digital format, following firm protocols for labeling and organization
  • basic knowledge of word processing software for Word and PDF documents
  • basic knowledge of firm management software

Independence

  • ability to manage time effectively with reasonable oversight and support from other firm personnel
  • ability to communicate effectively with clients and other parties to coordinate phone/video conferences, hearings and other events
  • ability to manage digital calendar, accurately setting events and reminders for firm use
  • ability to follow reasonably straightforward written and verbal instructions from supervising staff members
  • ability to problem solve by researching firm and online resources, rather than constantly asking other staff members
  • awareness of deadlines; no need for regular reminders

Legal Skills

  • ability to write in clear and professional fashion, with minimal grammar and punctuation errors.
  • ability to complete routine legal documents such as letters, notices and other template-based communications or filings
  • ability to create complete, relatively error-free time entries in firm management system
  • has a “firm first” mentality
    • interacts with clients and third parties to create a positive impression
    • is mindful of

 

 

(a)Paralegal. A paralegal is a person with education, training, or work experience, who works under the direction and supervision of an employing or supervising lawyer and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which an employing or supervising lawyer is responsible.
(b)Florida Registered Paralegal. A Florida Registered Paralegal is someone who meets the definition of paralegal and the requirements for registration as set forth elsewhere in these rules.
(c)Paralegal Work and Paralegal Work Experience. Paralegal work and paralegal work experience are specifically delegated substantive legal work that is performed by a person with education, training, or work experience under the direction and supervision of an employing or supervising lawyer for which an employing or supervising lawyer is responsible. In order to qualify as paralegal work or paralegal work experience for purposes of meeting the eligibility and renewal requirements, the paralegal must primarily perform paralegal work and the work must be continuous and recent. Recent paralegal work for the purposes of meeting the eligibility and renewal requirements means work performed during the previous 5 years in connection with an initial registration, and during the preceding year in the case of a registration renewal. Time spent performing clerical work is specifically excluded.
(d)Approved Paralegal Program. An approved paralegal program is a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or a program that is in substantial compliance with the ABA guidelines by being an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) and accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.
(e)Employing or Supervising Attorney. An employing or supervising lawyer is a member of The Florida Bar, authorized house counsel, foreign legal consultant, or military lawyer, as defined in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, having direct supervision over the work product of the paralegal or Florida Registered Paralegal.

Rule 20-2.1 – GENERALLY, R. Regul. FL. Bar 20-2.1