Members of the Gainesville Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., are bound by a Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Any violation of this code is cause for removal of membership.
The Code is as follows:
Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
A legal assistant must adhere strictly to the accepted standards of legal ethics and to the general principles of proper conduct. The performance of the duties of the legal assistant shall be governed by specific canons as defined herein so that justice will be served and goals of the profession attained. (See NALA's Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants, Section II.)
The canons of ethics set forth hereafter are adopted by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., as a general guide intended to aid legal assistants and attorneys. The enumeration of these rules does not mean there are not others of equal importance although not specifically mentioned. Court rules, agency rules and statutes must be taken into consideration when interpreting the canons.
Definition: Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.
Canon 1.
A legal assistant must not perform any of the
duties that attorneys only may perform nor take any actions that
attorneys may not take.
Canon 2.
A legal assistant may perform any task which
is properly delegated and supervised by an attorney, as long as
the attorney is ultimately responsible to the client, maintains a
direct relationship with the client, and assumes professional
responsibility for the work product.
Canon 3.
A legal assistant must not: (a) engage in,
encourage, or contribute to any act which could constitute the
unauthorized practice of law; and (b) establish attorney-client
relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice or represent
a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that
court or agency; and (c) engage in conduct or take any action which
would assist or involve the attorney in a violation of professional
ethics or give the appearance of professional impropriety.
Canon 4.
A legal assistant must use discretion and
professional judgment commensurate with knowledge and experience
but must not render independent legal judgment in place of an
attorney. The services of an attorney are essential in the public
interest whenever such legal judgment is required.
Canon 5.
A legal assistant must disclose his or her
status as a legal assistant at the outset of any professional
relationship with a client, attorney, a court or administrative
agency or personnel thereof, or a member of the general public. A
legal assistant must act prudently in determining the extent to
which a client may be assisted without the presence of an attorney.
Canon 6.
A legal assistant must strive to maintain
integrity and
a high degree of competency through education and training with
respect to professional responsibility, local rules and practice,
and through continuing education in substantive areas of law to
better assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to
provide legal service.
Canon 7.
A legal assistant must protect the confidences
of a client and must not violate any rule or statute now in effect
or hereafter enacted controlling the doctrine of privileged
communications between a client and an attorney.
Canon 8.
A legal assistant must do all other things
incidental,
necessary, or expedient for the attainment of the ethics and
responsibilities as defined by statute or rule of court.
Canon 9.
A legal assistant's conduct is guided by bar
associations' codes of professional responsibility and rules of
professional conduct.
GALA is an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. NALA's study of the professional responsibility and ethical considerations of legal assistants is ongoing. This research led to the development of the NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants first adopted in 1984. Under constant revision, this guide summarizes case law, guidelines and ethical opinions adopted by the various states affecting legal assistants. It provides an outline of minimum qualifications and standards necessary for these professionals to assure the public and legal profession that they are, indeed, legal assistants.