Service 03
Legal Research & Drafting
Research that's thorough. Documents that don't need three rounds of edits. Fresh eyes on everything before it goes out.
What this covers
Conducting thorough legal research, drafting memos and correspondence, preparing documents that don't need three rounds of edits, proofreading everything with fresh eyes.
Legal research and drafting support is most valuable when it comes from someone who understands the legal context, not just the words. As a Licensed Paralegal, I can read the material, understand what matters, and produce work that's actually usable rather than something that needs to be rebuilt from scratch.
Specific work I handle
- Legal research across Canadian jurisdictions: case law, statutes, secondary sources
- Research memoranda: organized, properly cited, written to be used not filed away
- Drafting correspondence: client letters, demand letters, routine legal communications
- Document preparation: agreements, memos, standard form documents
- Proofreading and editing with attention to accuracy, citations, and formatting
- Summarizing case files and discovery materials
Who this is for
Solo attorneys with more research and drafting on the go than time to do it themselves. Small firms that want a reliable paralegal for document work without the overhead of another employee. Any practice that needs careful, trained eyes on materials before they go to clients or court.
"Not a general VA. A paralegal who knows what your docket means."
— Thomas Hatherly
Common questions
What kinds of legal research can a contract paralegal handle?
I handle case law research, statutory research, and secondary source research across Canadian jurisdictions. I can produce organized research memos with citations, summarize relevant authorities, and flag issues that need attorney-level judgment. The work is meant to be usable, not a raw dump of search results.
Do you handle documents across different Canadian jurisdictions?
Yes. I have experience working across Canadian jurisdictions and understand that legal standards, citation formats, and procedural requirements differ between provinces. I account for that in research and drafting and flag anything jurisdiction-specific that requires attorney review before use.
What is the difference between hiring a paralegal and a general VA for legal drafting?
A general virtual assistant can format documents and follow templates. A licensed paralegal understands the legal context: what a motion requires, why a clause matters, what a proofreading error could cost. The difference shows up in work quality and in how much attorney time is needed to review and correct the output.
How do you handle proofreading for legal documents?
I review documents with attention to legal accuracy, citation format, internal consistency, and formatting, not just grammar. For client-facing documents I also look at clarity and tone. The goal is to catch what would embarrass the firm or require re-work after the document leaves the office.
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