Could attorneys use a law student or a young lawyer to do the work attorneys would delegate to a paralegal?
Yes. However, the firm risk the law student or young lawyer becoming dissatisfied. Using a law student or young lawyer to do work which can be delegated to a paralegal is a short-term approach. Paralegals have more education and training in procedural aspects than law students or young lawyers. In addition, the firm risks having its fees reduced by case law if the work is not delegated to a person with the lowest billing rate, and the law student and young associate will move on, leaving a gap in the case knowledge.
