Rule 3-1005 Nonlawyer assistants.

This rule makes clear that people who aren't lawyers, like paralegals or legal assistants, can still do legal work as long as a licensed lawyer is supervising them. It doesn't change or limit what these assistants are already allowed to do under the state's professional conduct rules.

In simple terms, this rule protects the normal working relationship between lawyers and their support staff. Lawyers can ask paralegals and assistants to help with tasks like drafting documents, doing research, or preparing case files. As long as the lawyer is overseeing the work and takes responsibility for it, this setup doesn't count as the assistant illegally practicing law.

This matters for regular people because it explains why someone other than your actual lawyer might help with parts of your case. It's normal and legal, as long as your lawyer is checking the work and staying in charge of the important decisions.