Paralegal support provided to attorneys, corporate legal departments, organizations, government entities and individuals is an important function in providing quality service. The legal profession would have a hard time operating without the help of paralegals. Hiring a paralegal with sufficient education and experience can be a daunting task, especially in time-sensitive cases. Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) is on the rise and highly beneficial for companies looking to improve processes and reduce costs. The information age has revolutionized the world’s ability to do business; however, in the legal profession there is a level of responsibility for lawyers. Many law firms and legal departments have outsourced services abroad due to cheaper labor rates; however, hiring domestic paralegals would be in the company’s best long-term interest through the development of an ongoing business relationship. My motto is: “If you do it right the first time, there is no need to repeat the effort.” In essence, you get what you pay for. Service quality is a valuable asset. Five Reasons to Outsource Paralegal Support Services Nationwide:
1. Time and Cost: The fundamental question during the decision-making process is whether or not there is enough time for the project to be outsourced. Time is a valuable commodity. A domestic relationship allows plenty of time for the project to be completed efficiently. Who becomes the responsible party in case of production failure of the outsourced project?
2. Quality: Experience matters. The legal profession is complex; specialization in a particular topic is desirable for the provision of service with the high degree of excellence that every client deserves. Trained and experienced staff must be a prerequisite. The credentials of most paralegals can be verified through the college or technical school they have attended, paralegal associations, and bar associations.
3. Communication: Communication is the bridge that connects worlds; however, not all people speak the same language. Most telcos have a call center abroad and I know you have received or called and talked to a representative who couldn’t get your message across or vice versa. The battle can be quite annoying and the moment you can’t get the intended result, the line of communication is cut off. Communication is key. The job performance objective should be outlined in detail and home legal assistants are well versed in this field and can assess your needs.
4. Skills and Resources – The paralegal firm performing the subcontracted work must have appropriate training and knowledge of federal, administrative, state, or local laws and regulations. Assess your provider to ensure they have access to the necessary resources and the ability to perform the task that includes primary and secondary resources. Anyone can tell you that they can perform a particular task, but delivery speaks volumes. Staffing capacity also plays an essential role in delivery. A due diligence check can give you all the answers you’re looking for. It is much easier to consult your national provider.
5. Confidentiality, Privacy, Accountability: The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the leader of the paralegal profession, developed a Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility Guidelines to enforce rules of professional conduct. Paralegals have an ethical responsibility to the legal community to maintain the character and integrity of their profession.
A vendor agreement or any other contractual agreement between companies within the United States may be enforced and enforced under applicable law. At its core, it comes down to relationships, responsibility, and reputation. The cost savings of in-house outsourcing relative to offshore outsourcing can be discounted once management costs, review time, error frequency, process efficiency, and liability have been taken into account. Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) to national paralegal firms will not only increase your bottom line, but will also improve the economic climate for the legal industry nationwide.