Paralegals aid attorneys in preparing cases.
A paralegal assists attorneys to bring a case to court. She may prepare legal documents, research case law, type correspondence and file legal documents. A paralegal also organizes files and maintains accuracy of documents. Paralegals train to perform these tasks by seeking a two-year or four-year college degree.
English and Composition
Good writing and spelling skills are essential for a paralegal. This means she will need to take at least two years of college English if seeking an associate degree or three to four years of college English if seeking a bachelor's degree. These English classes should have a focus on writing research papers and essays as well as making proper citations.
Introduction to Legal Studies
An introductory course to the field of legal studies is mandatory. This class will discuss laws and how they are made and interpreted. It will provide a future paralegal with information such as how court cases flow through the legal system. It will also give students knowledge of what courts have jurisdiction over certain matters and which cases have authority.
Legal Research
One of the major duties of a paralegal will be conducting legal research, so courses in research cases and statutes is a must. Legal research classes will introduce students to the use of a law library and databases such as Westlaw. Students may be given fictitious scenarios and asked to research applicable case law in preparation for real-life research.
Legal Writing
A paralegal will be required to produce various types of correspondence unique to law firms. A course in legal writing will introduce him to these documents and give practice in preparing them. Some of the legal documents a legal writing class will cover include memorandums, opinion letters, case briefs and different types of contracts
History and Government
Legal students should be familiar with United States history and American government. Knowing the history behind the law will help a paralegal interpret the law. Being familiar with American government and the way it operates will lay a foundation for interpreting the United States Constitution as well as knowing how the branches of government interact with private citizens.
Legal Areas
A law office may deal with a wide array of legal topics in its day-to-day practice. Some of the areas a paralegal will need to have training in include criminal law, real estate law, torts, bankruptcy and civil litigation. Some specialized areas may include environmental law, copyright law and international law.
Externships
Students paralegals are highly encouraged to complete an externship before graduation. An externship is a short-term assignment in a private law office. This will give the student a feel for the day-to-day operations of a law office as well as valuable on-the-job training. A paralegal externship can also be a valuable networking tool for future job prospects.
Tags: legal documents, paralegal will, years college English, American government, class will, college English