Paralegal Studies - Lake Superior College

Paralegal Studies from Lake Superior College is a Campus Certificate Paralegal degree that prepares you for a Legal career. Program Description: The Paralegal Studies program is a course of study for those interested in becoming non-lawyer legal professionals. A paralegal (sometimes called a legal assistant) is, in the words of the American Bar Association, a person ?who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work, for which a lawyer is responsible.? Paralegal employers prefer applicants who have completed a formal training program. Lawyers employ new paralegals in a variety of settings. In addition to traditional law firm positions, paralegals assist attorneys in businesses and corporations, financial institutions, title and escrow companies, and government institutions. Paralegals may also qualify for positions as trust officers, title examiners, contract clerks, legal investigators, and law firm administrators. Typical paralegal job duties include: Conducting legal investigations Performing legal research Drafting legal documents Conducting interviews of clients and witnesses Collecting, retrieving, analyzing, and summarizing data Managing and organizing cases and other complex legal tasks. While specific assignments depend on the training, education, and experience of the paralegal, a paralegal may not give legal advice or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law. Successful paralegals share many characteristics: they are knowledgeable in their field of law; they are well-organized and attentive to detail; they have excellent computer skills and are adept in the use of most common office applications; they are able to communicate in a clear, grammatically correct manner, both orally and in writing; and they have superior analytical skills. Program outcomes include: Demonstrate knowledge of legal terminology, the American legal system, and state and federal court rules and procedures. Describe the ethical obligations governing attorneys and paralegals. Demonstrate proper methods for conducting interviews and factual investigations with clients and witnesses. Demonstrate ability to determine relevant facts and conduct legal research in specific areas of law and the application of cases, statutes, regulations, and other sources of legal authority. Demonstrate ability to draft and properly format specific legal documents and correspondence. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal principles and procedures that determine the legal rights and duties of businesses. Demonstrate knowledge of legal principles and procedures in at least three of the following specialty areas: constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, family law, bankruptcy law, real property law, torts and personal injury law, wills and probate, victim advocacy, or alternative dispute resolution. Develop a portfolio documenting professional skills and knowledge in the paralegal field. View more details on Lake Superior College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Paralegal courses.