 Dorothy Secol and Peggy
Stalford, experienced legal assistants, knew they could succeed producing legal work outside of the traditional law office for a wide range of practitioners. In 1986 the two paralegals formed
Paralegal Services, a freelance paralegal business in Allenhurst, New
Jersey, providing legal assistance in all areas of law to
attorneys. As the demand for delivery of legal services became more economically
competitive, Paralegal Services
grew.
Pioneers in the
industry, Dorothy Secol and Peggy Stalford were petitioners in the case of
In re Opinion 24 of the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of
Law, 128 N.J. 114 (1992). The case validated the fact that "there is no distinguishable difference between an in-house and freelance paralegal working under the direct supervision of an attorney."
"We conclude that given the appropriate instructions and supervision, paralegals, whether as employees or independent contractors, are valuable and necessary members of any attorney's team 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). |
Today, the
number of attorneys utilizing paralegals has grown
tremendously and law office practices are changing rapidly.
Continuing to meet the demand and expand the
roles of paralegals, Dorothy Secol and Peggy
Stalford are pioneers once again, as Paralegal
Services USA, offering franchises
across the country.
|
Dorothy
Secol, CLA
Peggy
E. Stalford, LA |
