Rule 20-102 Definitions.
Rule Text
As used in these rules:
A. a "paralegal" is a person who:
(1) contracts with or is employed by an attorney, law firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity;
(2) performs substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney who assumes professional responsibility for the final work product; and
(3) meets one or more of the education, training or work experience qualifications set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA of these rules; and
B. "substantive legal work" is work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. Examples of substantive legal work performed by a paralegal include: case planning, development and management; legal research and analysis; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is authorized by law. Substantive legal work performed by a paralegal for a licensed attorney shall not constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
Amendment history: Approved, effective September 1, 1981; as amended, effective April 1, 1993; January 30, 2004.