Paralegal
Students successfully completing this program receive the associate in applied science degree and will be well-prepared for a career as a legal assistant. The National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., has defined the legal assistant: “Under the supervision of a lawyer, the legal assistant shall apply knowledge of law and legal procedures in rendering direct assistance to lawyers, clients and courts; design, develop and modify procedures, techniques, services and processes; prepare and interpret legal documents; detail procedures for practicing in certain fields of law; research, select, assess, compile and use information from the law library and other references; and analyze and handle procedural problems that involve independent decisions.” | Faculty: | | | | Full-Time: | | Adjunct: | Dr. Carrie McFerron Instructor, Legal Assistant T-333 903-510-2498 cmcf@tjc.edu | | Jim Williams | Paralegal Career options Paralegals assume a growing range of tasks in the nation’s legal offices, such as: - Prepare for hearings, trials, closings, and corporate meetings
- Identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other material relevant to assigned cases
- Prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled
- Draft pleadings and motions to be filed in court
- Prepare legal arguments
- Obtain affidavits
- Assist attorneys during trials
- Organize and track files of all important case documents
- Draft contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, and trust instruments
- Prepare tax returns and planning estates
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