Professional ethics of a paralegal is the responsibility working in the law office to know what is expected and to act accordingly. A breach of ethical standards will reflect poorly for the law office and may also lead to the disbarment of an attorney. It may also lead to the loss of job of the paralegal and may subject him to prosecution for the unauthorized practice of law.

A paralegal can render services under the following conditions:

1. The task must be assigned by an attorney.
2. The task must be under the supervision of an attorney.
3. Paralegals must unequivocally designate their status as a paralegal.
4. The attorney must retain a direct relationship with the client. A paralegal cannot represent a client in court or act as an advocate for a client.
5. The task must not involve giving out legal advice or judgement (unless said advice/judgement was provided directly by the attorney).
   • Legal Advice is defined as an independent professional judgement based on knowledge of the law, the facts of a particular case, and given for the benefit of a client. Only an attorney can give legal advice.
   • A paralegal can give factual information that is a matter of public record and must not require an exercise of legal judgement.
6. The task was given a final approval by an attorney.
7. A paralegal cannot do the following: accept or reject cases for the firm, split legal fees with an attorney, solicit cases for a lawyer, or set any fee for representation of a client.
8. Observe client confidentiality at all times. Unless with written permission from the client, a paralegal should not reveal any client information to anyone outside the office.

Mutual respect and loyalty between employer and employees is vital in this industry. This is also true with defense clients who deserve the utmost courtesy, respect, and every effort to preserve their dignity. A paralegal is to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity and avoid any dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice and does not substitute advice from a professional legal counsel. Always seek a professional legal counsel for your specific legal matter.

Date Published: May 14, 2025