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.”

• Paralegal Degree Plan

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