What is a paralegal is a regular questions in today's world where terminology is frequently changing, several terms and what is associated with them can be very confusing. In the legal field, for example the terms paralegal, legal assistant, and legal secretary that are all used interchangeably leave many people wondering whether there is any significant difference between them in terms of the roles they play in the legal profession.
A legal secretary is precisely what the term implies. Up until quite recently, this role was the one which most non-attorneys held in a law office. Legal secretaries, who were usually female, were not much different from secretaries of any other type, with the exception that a legal secretary often had specialized training in order to be more knowledgeable about matters specific to the legal field, resulting in being more effective and efficient at the job. While legal secretaries occasionally had a college degree, it was generally more up to the discretion of the employer rather than due to any professional requirements.
In direct contrast, when paralegals or legal assistants became an everyday part of most law offices and the legal departments of government agencies and corporations, the the need for specialized training and qualifications arose. In taking a much more active role in the law office, a paralegal needed to be much more familiar with all aspects of the legal system in general, while those paralegals who had to work particular aspects of law such as immigration, specialized training was called for. Working as a paralegal was basically initially a matter of being a helper to an attorney, it was a job which consisted of a decidedly hands-on approach, that today a paralegal is trained to do all that an attorney does except standing for a client in the court of law.
These days, the terms legal assistant and paralegal are often used interchangeably. Although many who work in this field tend to prefer the latter term, there is actually not a difference between the two. While the duties of a legal secretary consists primarily of a clerical nature, this is not the focus of a paralegal.
The majority of a paralegal's work consists of legal duties; although it is usually required that these duties are assigned and carried out under the direction of an attorney, it is generally a matter of the paralegal lightening the attorney's workload by taking on responsibilities and tasks for which she is qualified. For example, interviewing witnesses for a court case is one such duty. Instead of basic clerical work, a paralegal's duties often include such examples as researching statistics, case information, and other facts which are vital to the attorney's ongoing work.
In today's world, the role of paralegal is quite often filled by men. While there are still more women paralegals, many men have also found this field to be both professionally and personally rewarding. Although there were very few male legal secretaries in the past, the widening role and opportunities for paralegals have led many men to find this line of work to be quite appealing.
In short, a paralegal is a professional in the law office or other business where he or she works. The paralegal has a distinct role, and the qualifications necessary to be effective in that role.
Investigation into Jefferson Parish continues
Reported by: Val Bracy, Reporter
Jefferson Parish
Ken Trahan is best known as a radio sports commentator and for the work he did with Aaron Broussard on the Saints Hall of Fame Museum.
And according to Jefferson Parish records he was also a paralegal in the Parish Attorney's Office.
Trahan was paid about $18,000 a year for a 20-hour week in 2008 and '09 although he doesn't show up on the parish attorney's 2009 organizational charts.
According to the parish, Trahan resigned a few days after FOX 8 inquired about his paralegal credentials. Jefferson Parish does not have any on record.
Reached by phone Monday, Trahan said, despite the parish documents, he never worked as a paralegal, only in the Public Information Office.
Although, last week, the Public Information Officer said Trahan did odd jobs in her office, like writing articles and press releases, while he worked primarily for the parish attorney.
"Obviously it's suspicious. It's something that has to be looked into," says Rafael Goyeneche of the Metropolitan Crime Commission.
Jefferson Parish Constable Antoine "Tony" Thomassie is a similar case.
He shows up on a list of paralegals the parish turned over to FOX 8, but he's not on the Parish Attorney's organizational chart either.
Also reached by phone, Thomassie said that last year he was looking for some extra income so he met with Broussard and Parish Attorney Tom Wilkinson.
Thomassie says they told him he would work in the Code Enforcement Department but hold the title of paralegal.
"Could there possibly be an innocent explanation, sure. Could there be something more sinister, sure. What we're seeing right now in Jefferson parish is a variety of different smelly, unusual circumstances," says Goyeneche.
Broussard's ex-wife holds the title of paralegal supervisor, although for the last six years she's been working in the Security Department. That's what the parish told us earlier this month when we first reported he story, but now there seems to be some confusion as to Karen Parker's current employment status.
As of last week, the parish's Finance Director claimed Parker was still being paid about $65,000 a year.
But Deputy Parish Attorney Peggy Barton says she doesn't have any records pertaining to Parker's employment. The head of the Security Department now says the same thing, although two weeks ago he said Parker did work in his department.
After FOX 8's report on Parker, parish official Bert Smith said her employment status was being investigated.
As of January 26th, Parker was still employed, although she has been removed from the Parish Attorney's organizational chart.
Jefferson Parish declined to make Interim Parish President Steve Theriot or Parish Attorney Tom Wilkinson available for an interview on this story.
Instead, the parish released the following statement regarding Karen Parker and Antoine "Tony" Thomassie.
"Both employment matters are personnel matters currently under review and we will have no comment until they are resolved, which should be later this week."
As far as Trahan is concerned, the parish would only say he resigned and would not address whether his employment is under review.
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