PARALEGALS AND ASSOCIATE LAWYERS - SUBSTITUTABILITY WITHIN THE LAW FIRM, 1977-87

This article investigates changes over time in the substitutability of paralegals for other employees within the law firm. The substitutabil ity between paralegals and associate lawyers does not seem to have inc reased over time: if anything, the increased role for paralegals has b een accompained by increased specialization of tasks performed. In fac t, in the largest legal markets and the legal practices employing the most specialized attorneys. paralegals and associates appear to be com plementary inputs. In contrast, there is some evidence that secretaria l and clerical workers have become more substitutable for professional workers in the law firm.