In many law offices the attorneys began to realize the importance of computer technology and the value of technology-savvy paralegals and legal secretaries. Today, all paralegal curricula in the St. Louis area include at least one computer technology course based on the afore-described model. In some curricula, advanced courses are available that cover a host of sophisticated software concepts such as macros, merging, table of authorities, table of contents, indexing, and cross-referencing in word processing programs. In addition, many programs now supplement their traditional legal research courses with computerized components that include online and CD ROM research, as well as researching on the Internet. The Internet Courses that teach the use and possibilities of Internet research and discovery are the latest that demonstrate the continuing impact of technology on the practice of law.
Paralegals learn that the Internet is more than a legal research tool.
They learn that properly used, the Internet is a powerful investigative tool, allowing the location of and communication with a variety of people and organizations. The Internet should also be thought of as a marketing tool with the design, construction, and utilization of law firm web sites. Today no graduate of a paralegal program should leave school without an understanding of the administrative requirements of networks including the most important security issues. So today a typical paralegal curriculum might include courses such as Advanced Computer Utilization and Legal Administration, CD-ROM Legal Research, Online Legal Research, Legal Research on the Internet, Computerized Case Management, Computer Assisted Litigation Support, Introduction to Networking, or Network Administration. Clearly, such programs have come a long way since 1983.