Associates are lawyers. The difference between an associate and a partner is the same as the difference between an employee and a founder in a startup: the emp

Associates are lawyers. The difference between an associate and a partner is the same as the difference between an employee and a founder in a startup: the employee gets paid a salary, the founder might get a salary but primarily draws his income from the success of the business. Paralegals and office staff are not lawyers. Paralegals are allowed, by law, to draft legal documents. However, they cannot offer legal advice, and any documents they draft must be reviewed by a practicing lawyer.