A Paralegal's Role in the Nonprofit Sector

    The world of business includes both for-profit and nonprofit entities; and nonprofits must follow many of the same regulations as for-profit companies--both must report to the IRS and maintain records demonstrating that they are complying with statutory requirements; both participate in business transactions and negotiate agreements; and both types of companies need legal help to run efficiently and effectively. All types of businesses have experienced an increase in the need for, and an increase in the cost of,  legal counsel to administrate, maintain,  and advise them. Many companies choose to increase the  size and quality of  in-house counsel to reduce costs associated with increased legal fees. Paralegals have become a valuable asset because many businesses prefer to hire extra  paralegals instead of associate attorneys for routine tasks. For the price of one attorney, a company can hire two paralegals and benefit from the fact that  her education is based on the practical side of the law. She is used to drafting and filing documents, meeting deadlines, and performing legal research. While she still needs attorney supervision, the cost savings in billable hours justifies the arrangement.

Within this world, paralegals perform many tasks that fall into the broad spectrum of assisting in the formation of a corporation and maintaining the legal status of the corporation. Typical jobs paralegals perform in a corporation include:

1. Preparing and filing the articles of incorporation and researching state statutes to determine special requirements for naming corporations; drafting by-laws; ordering corporate supplies such as the minute book, stock certificates, and seal.
   
2. Researching special provisions a state may have regrading the formation of a corporation.
3. Preparing tax forms for the corporation and applying for tax-exempt status for nonprofit corporations.
4. Preparing notices of meetings and minutes of meetings; maintaining a tickler system for meeting dates and sending out reminders.
   
5. Preparing summaries of depositions and drafting subpoenas.
   
6. Organizing documents for document productions; as well as generally maintaining files and documents.
   
7. Researching the application of Sherman, Clayton, Hart-Scott-Rodino, and Federal Trade Commission Acts.
   
8. Drafting agreements to purchase or sell goods, as well as performing Uniform Commercial Code research and related filings.
9. Preparing trademark and copyright applications; monitoring the use of trademarks and advertising materials; drafting trade secret policies.
   
10. Researching and preparing lease agreements; docketing dates for termination and renewal of lease agreements.
11. Assisting with drafting employee benefit plans.

     In short, paralegals can do much of the work associate attorneys in outside firms used to handle. With skyrocketing costs, companies can save time and money by hiring paralegals. Paralegals experience a broad range of duties and opportunities in the business world. Jobs in the nonprofit sector may not pay as well as those in the for-profit sector, but if personal fulfillment means as much as a paycheck, maybe the nonprofit sector is for you.