You are interviewing for a position as a litigation assistant in a law firm. The interviewer asks you what you think are the top ten ways that a paralegal participates in litigation. What is your response?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students will identify a variety of duties that a litigation assistant performs from initiation to conclusion of a case. The paralegal’s efforts are focused on organizing evidence for the attorney to best present the client’s arguments at trial. The students should identify tasks that include investigation, compilation of information, locating experts, and securing evidence. Drafting pleadings and complying with discovery should be discussed. Arranging for depositions and digesting transcripts are important pre-trial activities. Establishment of any electronic litigation databases and coordination with physical files may be listed. Preparation of a trial notebook, preparation of an index. The assistant should be thoroughly familiar with all documents that may have a bearing in the trial.

A chart of witnesses and evidence will be prepared for trial, and subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum can be prepared prior to trial and served when the trial schedule is set. Exhibits should be marked prior to trial, as allowed by the court.
The paralegal may prepare demonstrative evidence and utilize technology to present multi-media presentations. Court rules and capabilities must be verified before development and reliance on such presentations. Preparation of voir dire questions as well as proposed jury instructions and verdict form are drafted prior to trial.