A legal assistant is a trained specialist who can manage a law office operation, relieving a practicing attorney of those routine sections of cases that require knowledge of the legal process, and assisting the attorney with handling of complicated legal problems. The legal assistant also assists the attorney in legal research and in the design and development of new procedures, techniques, services, and processes for the law office. The legal assistant can also prepare and interpret legal documents and analyze procedural problems through the selection, compilation, and use of technical information from various legal references. The curriculum provides the graduate with basic skills in legal research, legal writing, interpersonal communication skills, and legal interviewing and investigating techniques. Competency is developed in at least two areas of substantive law selected by the student.
Instruction is offered in law office administration.
The legal system, the role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services, legal ethics, authorized practice, and the code of professional responsibility are studied. A certificate is awarded upon successful completion. Students may elect CJ 221 or any paralegal course above LA 104. Refer to course description pages to identify courses with prerequisites. Courses in italics meet General Education requirements.