Conflict of
interest is a
very serious
matter for all
attorneys, but
it is also very
serious for all
paralegals. It
is very
important for
the paralegal
to know all of
the facts which
surround the
subject as you
will be bound
by the same
regulations as
the attorney.
You do not want
to make any
mistakes as you
could end up in
serious trouble
so it is always
best to be
extra
cautious.
If
you are an
attorney,
conflict of
interest is
usually used in
reference to
representing
two (or even
more) opposing
parties in
court, or
actually any
legal matter.
For example,
you would not
be able to
represent both
the husband and
wife in a
divorce
settlement, or
a buyer and
seller in a
house sale. You
may think that
being a
paralegal, this
does not affect
you but there
are still a
number of ways
in which
conflict of
interest can
happen.
A
common, and
big, mistake a
paralegal can
make is when
he/she works
for more than
one attorney.
This could
occur in the
same law firm,
or when the
paralegal is
working for
more than one
law firm. It is
usually not
intentional,
but conflict of
interest can
occur if these
two separate
attorneys are
representing
opposing
clients in a
case. The
regulations
surrounding
conflicts of
interest are
very strict,
but this is
because it
would not be
fair for the
paralegal to
know
confidential
information
about each
client in a
case.
It
is very rare
for it to occur
within the same
law firm,
although it can
happen. The
situation is
much more
likely to
happen if the
paralegal is
working for two
different law
firms and
therefore
he/she should
make sure that
this never
happens and
that they are
very careful
and tell the
attorney as
soon as
possible if
this does ever
happen. All the
paralegal would
need to do is
inform the
attorney of the
situation and
make it clear
that he/she
cannot help
with the
case.
If
you want to
become a
paralegal, but
are thinking
about
freelancing,
you must keep
this in mind at
all times. The
situation must
never occur but
if it does, you
must be
completely
honest. If you
are not, you
could face
losing your job
and the right
to work in the
legal field and
you could also
put the
attorney at
risk and they
could even lose
their
licence.
The rules and
regulations
surrounding
conflict of
interest are
not difficult
to understand.
They are
actually very
clear and
concise and
should always
be followed
with the
strictest
understanding.
It is one of
the most
serious
offences a
paralegal can
make in her job
and carries
very harsh
penalties. The
facts are out
there for you
to read and it
should be one
of the first
things that you
do otherwise
you could risk
ruining your
career
completely.
Paralegal's Dates With Defendant Throw Curve Ball at Assault Case Law.com (registration), CA - Nov 10, 2008 Francisco Superior Court Judge Marla Miller to release the defendant, Pounloeu Chea, on his own recognizance and nearly led to a conflict of interest for ... Bigger isn't better - Legal Week
Bigger isn't better Legal Week, UK - Nov 20, 2008 For example, didn?t these pressures lead to overstaffing, unwarranted markups for paralegals and young associates ? work that an inside department could ...
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