Legal assistants, also called paralegals, have become an important part of the professional legal team. Although the field of legal assisting is only about 30 years old, it is one of the fastest growing occupations. Career opportunities are expanding as attorneys and the legal community better utilize the capabilities of legal assistants.

Many legal assistants work for private law firms under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Legal assistants conduct research and draft documents. They may also conduct client interviews, locate and interview witnesses, conduct investigations, and do statistical documentary research. Additionally, legal assistants draft correspondence and pleadings, summarize depositions, interrogatories, and testimony, and assist the attorney in preparing for trial.

Employment opportunities are not limited to law firms. Legal assistants may choose to work in such organizations as banks, real estate development companies, and insurance companies. Or they may choose to work for a governmental entity. Employment opportunities with the public sector in community legal service programs, as well as in federal, state, and local governmental agencies, are expected to increase over the next few years.

Legal assistants must be able to handle legal problems systematically and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. They must have good research and investigative skills. Computer skills are necessary in almost every position held by legal assistants.

The Legal Assistant program is designed to give the legal assistant a broad background in many different areas of the law. The legal assistant courses are practical, how-to courses. Students learn about the legal system, acquire skills used in law offices, and are taught the professional and ethical responsibilities of a legal assistant.

Graduates of the Legal Assistant program are eligible to apply to take the national certification examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants. Those who successfully complete this two-day exam are designated Certified Legal Assistants (CLA).

General Requirements

Related Requirements

Technical Requirements

Faculty

Elizabeth Ann Gutierrez J.D.

Part-Time Faculty

Dennis Candelaria J.D.

Cynthia Clark J.D.

John Dickey J.D.

Peter Ossorio J.D.
 

Degree Requirements

Note: Students must pass ENGL 111G and all OELA courses with a minimum grade of C.

General Education Requirements 19 credits

Related Requirements 13 credits

[ TOP ]

Technical Requirements 34 credits

*NOTE: OELA 221 and 222 are restricted to OELA majors; a maximum of six credits of OELA 221 and 222 may be applied toward a degree. All OELA classes must be passed with a "C or better" or have to be retaken.

[ TOP ]