| LEGAL
ASSISTING (PARALEGAL) |
| EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAM |
| The legal
profession has expressed a need for personnel to combine some
of the duties of the legal secretary with those of the attorney.
These personnel are highly trained in various facets of the
law, and function under the supervision of the lawyer. This
new profession is the Legal Assistant, or Paralegal, who performs
duties which include legal research, client interviewing,
preparation of briefs and other documents, conducting investigations,
drafting wills and deeds, and researching tax matters. Legal
Assistants also specialize in specific areas, such as probate,
torts, family law, personal injury, insurance claims, civil
litigation, and real estate law. Previously these tasks were
beyond the training of the legal secretary and therefore,
had to be performed by the attorney. A recent survey showed
that a law office could save 50% of the cost of a simple incorporation
by assigning the job to a legal assistant. The student may
choose an Associate of Arts Degree in Legal Assisting or an
occupational certificate. The following classes are required
for both career options. |
|
| |
| ASSOCIATE
IN ARTS - LEGAL ASSISTING FIRST SEMESTER |
|
| |
| REQUIRED
COURSES |
UNITS |
| Law
1 |
Business
Law I |
3 |
| Law
2 |
Business
Law II |
3 |
| Law
10 |
Intro
to Legal Assisting I |
3 |
| Law
11 |
Intro
to Legal Assisting II |
3 |
| Law
12 |
Tort
Law & Claims Investigation |
3 |
| Law
13 |
Wills,
Trusts & Probate Administration |
3 |
| Law
16 |
Civil
and Criminal Evidence |
3 |
| Law
17 |
Legal
Writing |
3 |
| Law
18 |
Marriage
and Family Law |
3 |
| Law
19 |
Property
and Creditor Rights |
3 |
| Law
20 |
Basic
Probate Procedure |
3 |
| Law
34 |
Legal
Research Lab |
3 |
|
| REQUIRED
TOTAL |
36 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| RECOMMENDED |
|
| Law
14 |
Law
Office Management |
3 |
| COA
84 |
Microcomputer
Office Applications: Word Processing |
3 |
| Coop
Ed |
Field
Practice in Law Office |
3 |
| English
101 |
College
Reading and Composition 1 |
3 |
| Off
Adm 1 |
Typewriting
1 |
3 |
|
| RECOMMENDED
TOTAL |
15 |
|
| |
| Students
interested in earning an Associate Degree must also
complete General Education requirements and total a
minimum of 60 units. Since Legal Assistants may find
work in other career fields, electives for the A.A.
degree should be considered in accounting, business,
finance, and/or real estate, although none of these
disciplines is specifically required. See Graduation
Requirements. |
|
|
|
