PAL 102 - Paralegal Orientation

1. Define the role of a Paralegal in the law office environment.
2. Identify various areas of specialization in the legal profession and the skills necessary to succeed in these environments.
3. Identify ethical issues arising in a law office environment.
4. Develop a strategy for meeting educational and professional goals in pursuing a career as a legal assistant professional.

1. What is a Paralegal – history and development.
2. Certifications and professional associations now and in the future.
3. Ethics and professional responsibility including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, unauthorized practice of law.
4. Various working environments – the small law firm to corporate legal departments and public service.
5. Importance of clients and dealing with clients.
6. Need to develop interpersonal and communications skills within the office setting – dealing with other professionals in the office.
7. Importance and role of research skills.
8. Function, tasks and assignments expected of Paralegals in specific concentrations of law, overview of tasks required in areas of law including Litigation, Family Law, Estates and Trust, Law of Real Property, Research Assistants, Criminal, Appeals process.
9. Importance of assembling a representative collection of academic work during pursuit of the Certificate or Associate Degree.

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