While working under the supervision of a lawyer, a legal assistant is capable of originating work and making decisions in a legal environment. Graduates of the program find challenging careers working as legal assistants in law offices, government agencies and corporate legal departments. The Legal Assistant program was first offered at Capilano College in 1974 with the support of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of British Columbia. The program was designed to enable experienced legal secretaries to study on a part-time basis and attend evening classes. More than 25 years later, the evening option certificate program continues to emphasize the acquisition of legal skills, such as legal research and interviewing as well as an understanding of substantive law.
Students acquire an understanding of legal procedures through their work experience.
A comprehensive diploma program was developed in 1976 for students who had completed at least two years of university academic transfer courses with a 3.0 average. Students in this program study on a full-time basis and attend daytime classes at the North Vancouver campus. Courses offered in the diploma program emphasize the acquisition of legal skills and the study of procedural as well as substantive law. Students are required to complete a practicum with a law firm prior to receiving their diploma. In 1976 the Law Society of British Columbia and the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association issued a joint policy statement concerning legal assistants that recognized the occupation of legal assistant and encouraged the development of a professional association.