Why the Traditional Paralegal Doesn't Stand a Chance August 2014 | Page 4

The Empowered Client The client has become empowered. It’s guidance by clicks. Search google - find out what you need to know and eliminate pricey teleconference calls to lawyers who in turn do not need to call upon paralegals. Virtual Paralegals & eLawyering This trend may also be a result of years of new working methods: telecommuting. Either way, it is a new way to reach clients. No longer is it necessary for lawyers to have bricks and mortar law firms. Clients simply reach out through the Internet. The Net Generation A hot arena now is the Virtual The twenty-something Paralegal. Paralegals can work from home for any law firm in the country. generation has grown up with computers while Baby Boomers did not. It’s important to realize that the Net Generation is used to communicating via online communities while Baby Boomers are used to communicating oneon-one, face-to-face. eLawyering is another viable resource for clients and law firms alike and is becoming more popular. This may be a result of the recession when many law students (no matter what law school attended), could not get jobs and turned to virtual lawyering.