About Us
Purpose
To promote the interests of paralegals, foster relationships with
the legal community, serve the public, advocate the Code of Ethics
and Professional Responsibility, and endorse the individual missions
of PACO and the Columbus
Bar Association (CBA).
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Paralegal definition
A paralegal is a person, qualified through education, training,
or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires
knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively,
performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by
a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may
be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to
perform this work.
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History
Legal Assistants of Central Ohio was (LACO) incorporated in June
of 1973 as a professional association for legal assistants. It is
the first Legal Assistant Association in Ohio.
In October 1979, LACO became a voting member of the National Federation
of Paralegal Association (NFPA).
On September 18, 1995, the association changed its name to the
Paralegal Association of Central Ohio ("PACO").
The name PACO accurately reflects the growing market to recognize
the term "paralegal" as being synonymous with the education,
experience and substantive services provided by paralegal. PACO
began with 6 members and now has over 400.
PACO is an active member of NFPA and keeps its membership informed
on both local and national issues of importance to the profession.
In 2004 PACO and the Columbus Bar Association (“CBA”)
negotiated and entered into an agreement whereby CBA would provide
management and other services to PACO. Prior to this agreement,
the PACO Executive Board was so was solely responsible for all administrative
matters.
If you have questions about PACO’s history contact secretary@pacoparalegals.org.
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Canons
CANON 1 A PARALEGAL1 SHALL ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A HIGH
LEVEL OF COMPETENCE.
A paralegal shall achieve competency through education, training,
and work experience
A paralegal shall participate in continuing education to keep informed
of current legal, technical and general developments
A paralegal shall perform all assignments promptly and efficiently.
CANON 2 A PARALEGAL SHALL MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF PERSONAL
AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY.
A paralegal shall not engage in any ex parte2 communications involving
the courts or any other adjudicatory body in an attempt to exert
undue influence or to obtain advantage for the benefit of only one
party.
A paralegal shall not communicate, or cause another to communicate,
with a party the paralegal knows to be represented by a lawyer in
a pending matter without the prior consent of the lawyer representing
such other party.
A paralegal shall ensure that all timekeeping and billing records
prepared by the paralegal are thorough, accurate, and honest.
A paralegal shall be scrupulous, thorough and honest in the identification
and maintenance of all funds, securities, and other assets of a
client and shall provide accurate accountings as appropriate.
A paralegal shall advise the proper authority of any dishonest or
fraudulent acts by any person pertaining to the handling of the
funds, securities or other assets of a client.
CANON 3 A PARALEGAL SHALL MAINTAIN A HIGH STANDARD OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
A paralegal shall refrain from engaging in any conduct that offends
the dignity and decorum of proceedings before a court or other adjudicatory
body and shall be respectful of all rules and procedures.
A paralegal shall advise the proper authority of any action of another
legal professional, which clearly demonstrates fraud, deceit, dishonesty,
or misrepresentation.
A paralegal shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
CANON 4 A PARALEGAL SHALL SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY
CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES AND THE IMPROVEMENT
OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM
A paralegal shall be sensitive to the legal needs of the e public
and shall promote the development and implementation of programs
that address those needs.
A paralegal shall support bona fide efforts to meet the need for
legal services by those unable to pay reasonable or customary fees;
for example, participation in pro bono projects and volunteer work.
A paralegal shall support efforts to improve the legal system and
shall assist in making changes.
CANON 5 A PARALEGAL SHALL PRESERVE ALL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION3
PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT OR ACQUIRED FROM OTHER SOURCES BEFORE, DURING,
AND AFTER THE COURSE OF THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP.
A paralegal shall be aware of and abide by all legal authority
governing confidential information.
A paralegal shall not use confidential information to the disadvantage
of the client.
A paralegal shall not use confidential information to the advantage
of the paralegal or of a third person.
A paralegal may reveal confidential information only after full
disclosure and with the client's written consent; or, when required
by law or court order; or, when necessary to prevent the client
from committing an act which could result in death or serious bodily
harm.
A paralegal shall keep those individuals responsible for the legal
representation of a client fully informed of any confidential information
the paralegal may have pertaining to that client.
A paralegal shall not engage in any indiscreet communications concerning
clients.
CANON 6 A PARALEGAL TITLE SHALL BE FULLY DISCLOSED.
A paralegal's title shall clearly indicate the individual's status
and shall be disclosed in all business and professional communications
to avoid misunderstandings and misconceptions about the paralegal's
role and responsibilities.A paralegal's title shall be included
if the paralegal's name appears on business cards, letterhead, brochures,
directories, and advertisements.
CANON 7 A PARALEGAL SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN THE UNAUTHORIZED
PRACTICE OF LAW.
A paralegal shall comply with the applicable legal authority governing
the unauthorized practice of law.
CANON 8 A PARALEGAL SHALL AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
AND SHALL DISCLOSE ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICT TO THE EMPLOYER OR CLIENT,
AS WELL AS TO THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS OR CLIENTS.
A paralegal shall act within the bounds of the law, solely for the
benefit of the client, and shall be free of compromising influences
and loyalties. Neither the paralegal's personal or business interest,
nor those of other clients or third persons, should compromise the
paralegal's professional judgment and loyalty to the client.
A paralegal shall avoid conflicts of interest which may arise from
previous assignments whether for a present or past employer or client.
A paralegal shall avoid conflicts of interest which may arise from
family relationships and from personal and business interests.
A paralegal shall create and maintain an effective recordkeeping
system that identifies clients, matters, and parties with which
the paralegal has worked, to be able to determine whether an actual
or potential conflict of interest exists.
A paralegal shall reveal sufficient non-confidential information
about a client or former client to reasonably ascertain if an actual
or potential conflict of interest exists.
A paralegal shall not participate in or conduct work on any matter
where a conflict of interest has been identified.
In matters where a conflict of interest has been identified and
the client consents to continued representation, a paralegal shall
comply fully with the implication and maintenance of an Ethical
Wall.5
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