A paralegal is an individual who has acquired special knowledge of legal concepts and procedures through education and experience and who is qualified to perform certain tasks associated with legal representation under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney.

North Carolina adopted a Plan for Certification of Paralegals on October 6, 2004, which is a voluntary program to assist in the delivery of legal services to the public. A certified paralegal is an inpidual who has demonstrated through experience, education, or examination that he or she possesses the knowledge, skill, and proficiency to perform substantive legal work under the direction and supervision of a licensed lawyer. A certified paralegal must have a minimum of 6 hours of continuing paralegal education each year.

Paralegals may be involved in a case in a number of important ways, including:

• Investigating facts;
• Producing first drafts of pleadings, correspondence, discovery requests, and other documents;
• Conducting in-depth client interviews;
• Interviewing witnesses;
• Conducting preliminary legal research;
• Evaluating and summarizing discovery documents, client materials, and other case papers;
• Organizing case materials and exhibits for mediation, arbitration, or trial
• Attending discovery depositions and court hearings to coordinate the appearance of witnesses and the presentation of exhibits, to transcribe notes on the testimony of witnesses, and to assist the attorney in other ways;
• Communicating information between attorneys and their clients; and,
• Keeping clients informed of the status of the case.