Education has played and continues to play a vital role in the development of the paralegal profession. Although "on the job training" remains an important element in developing successful paralegals, the role of higher education and formal paralegal education is increasingly important in the growth and development of the paralegal profession.
In only three decades, paralegal education has evolved from a handful of programs to several hundred across the United States, from brick and mortar institutions to on-line and hybrid programs. Paralegal education is recognized in several foreign countries including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This dynamic growth has been marked by great diversity -- in terms of the type of educational
Peter Paralegal is employed by Honest Law Firm and has been instructed by his supervising attorney to prepare and conduct initial interviews with two potential clients to see if a conflict of interest is present. Big Box and Value Mart are competitors and are requesting representation by Honest Law Firm on matters that are unrelated to one another. Peter Paralegal was also asked to perform tasks related to the cases such as; prepare questions and conduct initial interviews, explain legal fees arrangements, establish the attorney-client relations, draft initial pleadings and responses, interview witnesses, draft and sign initial case evaluation letters.
Paralegals are professionals who assist or support lawyers with their work (Westwood College). Supporting qualified lawyers includes a variety of tasks. When an attorney’s case goes to court, paralegals prepare motions and pleadings, in addition to organizing and cataloguing relevant trial documents (Westwood College). Paralegals also locate and interview witnesses; conduct investigations; conduct legal research; and summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony (The National Association of Legal Assistants). In addition, the Business and Professions Code Section 6450(a) states that “Tasks performed by a paralegal include, but are not limited to, case planning, development, and management; legal research; interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information; drafting and analyzing legal documents; collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and recommendation to the supervising attorney; and representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute, court rule, or administrative rule or regulation” (Business and Professions Code Section 6450(a)).
Many people think a lawyer's job is knowing the law. It is true but there is more to lawyering than knowing what the law reads. In fact, most lawyering duties require a strong set of analytical ability. According to the MacCrate Report in 1992, a task force was assigned to define basic lawyering skills and what skills are necessary for a student should possess by the time they begin practicing law (Natt Gantt, 2007). These basic skills and values include: (1) problem solving; (2) legal a...
In this essay we will discuss the process of legal research, writing, and analysis. The subject matter will be presented in a clear, concise and objective manner. The textbook that we will be referencing is "Gilbert Law Summaries: Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis" 10th ed, BarBri Group, 2006.
Becoming a Paralegal can be a difficult task if you do not spend time researching your career choice. Enjoying researching and preparing for trial is just a few of the responsibilities needed to become a criminal paralegal.
The paralegal industry has changed over the last thirty years, and according to Kane, “Is one of the fastest-growing professions on the globe”. There is a predicted growth rate of 28% between 2008 and
Professionals are people who have equipped themselves with the knowledge and skills in a given field. The interest of improvement of the professional identity is an evidence of how high standards are placed upon the professionals in the community (Johnson et al., 2012). Each profession creates its norms, values and scope of practice that distinguishes it from any other profession. Different legal ethics are upheld and everyone needs to work as per the stipulated ethics in the field to be part of the profession. People in the field are expected to be knowledgeable and independently use decision
Although the legal profession is a single discourse community, it is made up of many smaller discourse communities. This is so because while all lawyers share the same broad goals of the legal profession and have a general knowledge and expertise in all areas of the law, most lawyers after graduating from law school and passing the bar exam specialize in a particular area of law. This specialization requires the lawyer to go beyond the broad concepts of law as a whole and to become knowledgeable and proficient in the sometimes minute details of a more specific area of law. Even then, some lawyers will go even further to focus on one aspect or another of that particular area of law. This results in most lawyers being members of many even smal...
My major is Paralegal Studies and I expect to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a county agency, I was introduced to the legal field. Recently, I was awarded the opportunity to attend college, so I decided I wanted to reenter the legal profession as a paralegal. The paralegal profession appeals to me, because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from the beginning to the end; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client’s trial or the settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or a small firm in my local area who represent clients in different areas of the law.
My paralegal education will allow me to be more effective and efficient in my goal to provide the best possible recommendation to the court in placing the child in a loving environment. This will give the child the best chance for success to live a full and happy
The Paralegal Professional, A reference to the source of legal information chapter 1 and lettures from class powerpoints.
A good way to decide what area of law to specialize in is to look at your interests and evaluate which areas of the law most closely relates to the things that interests you. Are you willing to working with families and help individuals? Are you a lover of the outdoors with an interest in the environment, or do you binge watch “Law and Order” and day dream about being a criminal defense? No matter what your interests are, there are areas of law that will meet the interests that you have. According to a blog on a paralegal website titled Specialties: Picking your path as a paralegal “Being a paralegal is a rewarding occupation in which you can stretch yourself, earn an excellent living and have an impact on the world around you, no matter which field of law you choose for your
Introduction Lawyers’ duties are relevant not only to their clients, for there is also a “public interest that the duty should be performed” [1P3]. Lawyers are, in society, in the unique position of quasi-state actors. Although not formally part of the state, they are vital in the smooth operation of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government [1P3]. Several features of lawyers’ duties and responsibilities are distinct from the legal profession. The justification for such features resides in this function lawyers are required to perform in society.
In the legal system and real world, people are faced with many decisions and or situations. Most people probably do not give a second thought, or bat an eye, as to the type of decision or situation they are making or are in. The first category thought about is legality and the second is ethicality. Most people think that if it’s illegal, it’s unethical, and if it’s legal, it is ethical. This is not always the case. As shown in Counsellor at Law, sometimes these categories do not overlap as initially thought.
Blackstone’s paralegal program is a convenient way for adult learners who work, have families or live in a rural area to study online anytime, anywhere. A challenging opportunity, each day brings new challenges and experiences. Growing opportunities, the demand for paralegals will continue to grow for many reasons but particularly because they play an essential role in keeping legal costs in check.” She has decided that a paralegal career is right for her. She is interested in law and loves the idea of getting paid to do research and learn more.