Why should I use PLS³?
PLS³ provides professional results to individuals, small business owners, attorneys, and other professionals, handling workloads in the shortest amount of time. Overhead is reduced because costs for hiring full time staff, such as training, equipment, and benefits, are eliminated. Fees are also incurred only on an as-needed basis. Clients are assured top quality work from a paralegal with over 13 years combined experience in the paralegal and administrative support field.
What does PLS³ provide?
We offer free-lance, temporary legal support and secretarial services for individuals, small business owners, attorneys, and other professionals.
How does your service work?
Potential clients contact PLS³ to arrange for an initial consultation. Upon contracting our services, a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly meeting will be arranged to discuss ongoing project details. PLS³ will pick up and drop off project materials, as needed. If the client is out of town, information can be emailed or mailed to us. We will mail or email back the project.
How can a Freelance Paralegal benefit me?
For attorneys, the use of an experienced contract paralegal can bring better service to the client and decrease your workload, all the while providing the attorney a higher profit margin. You remain competitive and are able to serve more clients. For individuals, using our document preparation service can decrease your out of pocket legal expenses.
How much does it cost?
Projects are assessed individually and quotations are created based on the client's budget and complexity of the project. Services will be billed hourly or clients will be given a flat fee, plus cost for materials. The hourly rate agreed upon will be billed on the quarter hour following the first full hour. If services are needed on a continual basis, a monthly retainer can be set up at a reduced rate (25 hour minimum). The monthly rate will be based upon the type of services required.
What does a paralegal do?
Paralegals generally work side-by-side with attorneys, judges, prosecutors, or public defenders. They assist with research, preparation and analysis of documents, client and witness interview and investigation. Many paralegals are joining a growing trend, working independently or freelancing. Freelance paralegals provide support on an "as needed" basis, helping attorneys meet deadlines on special reports.
What does the American Bar Association say about Paralegals?
"Legal Assistant (Paralegal) Associate: Persons qualified through education, training, or experience who are retained by a lawyer, law office, or government agency or other entities for specifically delegated legal work which requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts that otherwise would be performed by an attorney in the absence of a legal assistant."
What do the courts say about Paralegals?
"We conclude that given the appropriate instructions and supervision, paralegals, whether employees or independent contractors, are valuable and necessary members in the effective and efficient practice of law. In re: Opinion 24 of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law, 128 N.J. 114 (1992 ). Encouraging the use of lower cost paralegals rather than attorneys whenever possible "encourages cost-effective delivery of legal services..." Source: Missouri v. Jenkins, 491 U.S. Ct. 2463, 2471, n. 10 (9) .
How do I get my projects to PLS³?
For transcription services , your dictation tapes, along with a 50% deposit in the form of cashier's check or money order only, may be sent via US Postal Service or Federal Express. Local pickup is available in Southwest Dallas County or select areas of Tarrant County.
For all other services, a meeting should be set up to discuss the project details, including completing a client initial intake form. An initial consultation fee of $75, in the form of cashier's check or money order only , will be collected prior to any discussions. Depending upon the project details, the meeting should last from thirty minutes to an hour. Should the meeting last more than an hour, an additional $25/hr consultation fee will be charged.
Methods of Delivery
All completed work will be delivered via courier, facsimile, e-mail attachment, Federal Express, or US Postal Service always keeping in mind the need for confidentiality. Local hand-delivery is available in Southwest Dallas County only. For more information about our services, you can contact PLS³ at (972) 835.8297 or e-mail us at info@paradisesecretarial.com.
