What is the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal?

There is a big difference between a lawyer and a paralegal. Lawyers are legally trained individuals who have gone to law school and passed the bar exam. They can practice law in the state in which they are licensed and represent clients in court. Generally, a lawyer’s job is to advise a client on their legal rights and responsibilities, as well as how to make sure all legal documentation is done accurately. Paralegals, on the other hand, do not have to have a law degree to work in the legal profession. Paralegals work alongside attorneys to help them prepare legal documents, research case law, and draft contracts and other legal documents. They may also be responsible for transcribing court proceedings, gathering evidence, summarizing documents, and organizing files. They often act as a support system for attorneys, helping them to be more efficient in their work. Additionally, paralegals cannot engage in the same type of legal advice as lawyers. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent clients in court, accept payment for legal services, or set legal fees. This means that if you are looking to hire a lawyer in South Carolina, you need to be sure to only hire a lawyer who is licensed to practice in the state. Hiring a paralegal to provide legal advice would be against the law and could result in serious legal ramifications.

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What is the difference between a lawyer and a paralegal?

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