John (not his real name) never realized how difficult it was to find a legal representative until he required one. He was looking for a family law lawyer. Asking his friends and relatives should have been easy but his friends at the time did not know anyone in that area of law. His friends were single. And, you guessed it, his family members were happily married. What are the odds? It took him several calls on his lunch hours and after work before he found one he felt comfortable with.

Have you ever tried to look for a legal representative, whether a lawyer or a paralegal, only to find that the website lists the legal services offered and very little else, if anything, about their background? Unfortunately, this happens all too often and makes it difficult to choose a paralegal, or lawyer, based on his or her training and experience.

When you are searching for a paralegal, look for the following:

1. A detailed description of the paralegal. This would include who they are, their length of experience, their work history, and what legal services they offer, especially the area of expertise you require. For example, if you were injured in a minor accident or your property was damaged then you would require a paralegal with litigation experience in Small Claims Court.

2. A list of credentials. This is important because it shows that the paralegal has met the necessary paralegal skills and may include non-legal skills as well. Paralegals come from all walks of life and bring with them their own unique set of skills and experiences. These other skills and experiences may also be beneficial to your matter.

It is also important to know that since 2007, when the Law Society of Upper Canada began regulating paralegals in Ontario, the public has been assured that the paralegal has met all the academic requirements from an accredited institution, has passed the Law Society’s intense 3.5 hour exam (this has doubled in 2015), and is properly insured. Those who worked as a paralegal prior to 2007 and wished to remain in practice were required to write the Law Society exam and carry the required insurance before being grandfathered in. All members of the Law Society are also required to participate in continuing professional development programs on an annual basis. This ensures that the paralegal remains up-to-date on the law and their practice management skills.

1. Examples of a paralegal’s case studies or scenarios. This is important as it indicates the paralegal’s accomplishments and competence. This can be done by naming the case and giving a brief description, or by offering a generic description of the case. If your matter involves a legal proceeding, you want to know if the paralegal has trial experience. If you have a provincial court offences matter or a criminal summary offences matter, then you want to know if the paralegal has court experience in those areas. It is important to note that a paralegal (or lawyer) cannot guarantee that you will be successful in your case because there are simply too many variables that could change the outcome. However, a paralegal (or lawyer) can advise you, after carefully examining all the facts, whether or not you stand a good chance of a favourable outcome and one that may result in an early settlement.

2. Articles and blogs they have written. These provide examples of a paralegal’s communication style. This is important because you want to make sure the paralegal is able to communicate in a professional manner and to various audiences. Articles also provide an in-depth knowledge of the paralegal’s area of legal expertise and service.

3. Testimonials or references. These are important because they help you to know what the clients have experienced with the paralegal. If there are no testimonials or no case studies, simply give the paralegal a call and ask for them, but do so only after you have made a short list and you are serious about considering retaining the paralegal.

There are many directories that can help you source out a legal representative. For example, the Law Society of Upper Canada offers a paralegal and lawyer directory, as well as a referral service. You can reach them at http://www.lsuc.on.ca.

And one final tip. There are many articles on the internet based out of the United States about paralegals. It is important to note that paralegals in the United States are not licensed to give legal advice and representation, but are supervised by lawyers and perform similar work that law clerks and senior legal assistants do in a law firm here in Ontario. Be sure that what you are reading pertains to the rules and regulations of Ontario when sourcing out your legal representative.

Bettina Worth, Paralegal, provides mediation and legal services to individuals and small businesses on matters before the Smalls Claims Court, Landlord and Tenant Board, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, and other Tribunals. Bettina also provides litigation support to her legal community. In addition to being a licensed paralegal, Bettina is a certified law clerk and legal assistant, with more than 25 years' experience in litigation. Bettina also acted as paralegal for her former business of more than 10 years and was successful in various small claims court matters and several contract and settlement negotiations. Bettina can be reached by phone at 647-340-3352 or by email at bw_paralegal@yahoo.ca. For more information about Bettina Worth, Paralegal, and her services, connect with her on Linkedin and like her on Facebook.