Who is a litigation paralegal?

A litigation paralegal is defined as a professional who specializes in providing support to lawyers during the litigation process. This role includes various responsibilities that are critical to the preparation and trial of cases, such as conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and ensuring compliance with court procedures. This specialization is crucial because litigation involves specific rules and timelines that differ significantly from other legal fields like corporate law, estate planning, or business operations.

By focusing on litigation assistance, these paralegals develop expertise in practices relevant to trials, mediations, and arbitrations, allowing them to effectively support the legal team. Their skill set is tailored to the demands and nuances of litigation, which includes understanding procedural rules, evidence handling, and trial preparation techniques. This specialization ensures that the lawyers they assist are well-prepared to present their cases in court.

Other roles mentioned, such as providing corporate legal advice, focusing exclusively on estate planning, or managing business operations, do not align with the primary functions and focus of a litigation paralegal.