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The relationship between the attorney and the paralegal is essential and critical within a law office or any other type of legal department.Attorneys are responsible for violations of ethical rules.Paralegals are also not lawyers and cannot practice law and may not give legal advice.Paralegals can be reliable for negligence or for causing harm tothe clients.Attorneys, however, are liable as well due to the vicarious liability doctrine which states that employers are responsible for the acts of their employees that are carried out within their employment.There have been numerous cases where attorneys have be disciplined for failing to supervise their paralegals which includes improper execution of documents. Due to the fact that attorneys are liable for their staff, the paralegal/attorney relationship is crucial for the success of the firm.The attorney needs to be able to trust the paralegal and vice versa.Once a relationship and understand is formed between the two, the firm can function to its highest standard.