In our case, I called a meeting for Ruth and Cally and me to meet at my office, and we gathered in the large conference room with copies of the documents ready to go. I asked my assistant, Pat, to join us and take notes. I’d been working with Pat for over fifteen years, and she knew how I liked to document my files. So . . . we were all present. We had the paperwork in front of us. And, after the standard small talk, I began the review process.

Pointing to the first few paragraphs, I wanted the team to know how the contract was structured: the main agreement plus three attachments, which are incorporated by reference into the whole. I began with a statement confirming that Cally had been advised to seek her own lawyer on this matter, which had been her prerogative. Since she declined, I had her initial that part, for our own protection.

“Are you sure you don’t want a lawyer?” Ruth leaned closer to Cally and scrutinized her face for any clues of discomfort. Cally seemed fine to me.

“I’m fine,” said Cally. “My manager at the dog daycare helped me. Her sister was a paralegal, and she walked me through it.”

I furrowed my brow. A paralegal giving legal advice would contravene the rules of professional responsibility. And constitute the unlawful practice of law. “What’s her name?” I was ready to jot it down, in case there was a dispute.

“Gwen,” said Cally.

“Last name?” asked Pat. Good ol’ Pat. She knew I’d want the full name for the file.

“I don’t know,” said Cally, and we watched Pat frown.

“Does she have the same last name as your manager, maybe?” asked Ruth. Ruth was clever and a good investigative journalist. She was trying to be helpful.

“I don’t know if she’s married or what,” said Cally. “But she’s a paralegal, so . . .”

“I see,” I said, disappointed. I’d already offered to pay for Cally to consult a licensed attorney. In fact, I’d repeatedly offered that, but you can lead a horse to water . . .

I looked over the table at Ruth. She seemed agitated. I half expected her to ask Cally to disclose the “advice” she had received. Had the unnamed paralegal urged Cally to seek more money? Or to change the deal? We didn’t want to change the deal at this juncture, so it was best to move on. I could tell from Ruth’s expression that she was having similar thoughts.

“All right,” I said, “but a paralegal cannot give legal advice, just so you’re aware of that.”

“Yeah, I know,” said Cally.