Paralegal Studies
The Paralegal Studies program prepares students to become attorneys' assistants in legal, judicial and corporate settings. The paralegal (or legal assistant), working under the direction of a lawyer, performs such substantive legal tasks as legal research, interviewing clients, drafting court pleadings and legal documents, and assistance in litigation, probate, real estate transactions, estate planning and taxation.
The paralegal field is among the fastest growing in the United States through 2006, offering graduates of Paralegal Studies programs many career opportunities in law firms, corporations and government agencies.
The paralegal needs very strong writing skills, as well as good oral communication skills, a love for detail, and the ability to think critically, analyze and synthesize information. She/he must possess the personal characteristics of maturity, tact, discretion and objectivity.
The AA, BA and Certificate in Paralegal Studies are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Paralegal
Legal assistant
Manager of paralegal department
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Employment of paralegals is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016. Employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. Paralegals are performing a wider variety of duties, making them more useful to businesses. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm)
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS
Banks
Corporations
Government agencies
Insurance companies
Law firms
Paralegal firms
Title companies
Trust companies
Utility companies
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books (* denotes books available in the Career Center Library)
- *Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, Vol. 4, Chicago, IL: Ferguson Publishing Co., 2000.
- Fins, Alice. Opportunities in Paralegal Careers. Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Career Horizons, 2005.
- *Fogg, Neeta, et.al. The College Majors Handbook, Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works, Inc., 2004.
- Pitz, Mary E. Careers in Government, Lincolnwood, IL: VGM Professional Careers Series, 1999.
Professional Associations
- Cincinnati Paralegal Association, P.O. Box 1515, Cincinnati, OH 45201, http://www.cincinnatiparalegals.org.
- National Association of Legal Assistants, 15165 Boston Avenue, Suite 200, Tulsa, OK 74119-4013, http://nala.org.
- National Federation of Paralegals Association, P.O. Box 2016, Edmonds, WA 98020, http://www.paralegals.org.
- National Paralegal Association, P.O. Box 406, Soleburg, PA 18963-0406, www.nationalparalegal.org.
- Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610, www.abanet.org/legalservices/paralegals/home.html.
Web sites