Our Blog

What Are Certified Paralegals and How Does Elk + Elk Support Them?

Posted in Firm News on April 16, 2025

Law

Paralegals play a vital role in the dynamic and intricate field of law, even though their work often goes unnoticed. At Elk + Elk, we understand that proficient and knowledgeable paralegals are essential to a successful legal team. They manage case details and communicate with clients, making legal services more accessible, efficient, and compassionate.

Why Paralegal Certification Matters

In Ohio, paralegals are not required to follow a standardized educational path or obtain a license, unlike some other professions. To address this, the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) offers a voluntary credentialing program that sets higher standards for training, experience, and performance. Certification through this program indicates that a paralegal has met rigorous criteria and is dedicated to ongoing professional development.

Elk + Elk proudly supports this initiative by providing OSBA membership and certification opportunities for our paralegals. By investing in this program, we enhance the quality of service our clients receive and promote the professional growth of our team.

Tailored to Real Cases and Clients

To better support our paralegals, we offer a series of in-house continuing legal education (CLE) seminars led by our attorneys. These sessions focus on topics directly related to our daily work and aim to help our team develop the most relevant skills for our clients.

The topics include:

  • Ethical considerations in personal injury law
  • Collaborating with medical experts in malpractice cases
  • Preserving issues for appeal
  • Legal research and writing
  • Mediation practices
  • Documenting and supporting damages in injury and wrongful death claims

Empowering Our Paralegals

Paralegals often serve as the first point of contact for clients. They explain complex processes, gather important information, and ensure that clients feel heard and informed. This role not only supports attorneys but also humanizes the legal experience, making it more approachable.

By equipping our paralegals with certification and providing ongoing education, we enhance our efficiency while reinforcing our commitment to client care. We aim to set a standard for other firms across Ohio: when we invest in the people who support our clients, everyone benefits.