Paralegal

www.laguardia.edu/paralegalstudies/

Paralegals, or legal assistants, assist lawyers in a wide range of activities. Lawyers remain responsible for paralegals’ work (in general, paralegals may not themselves give legal advice, set fees or represent clients in court). In the litigation area, for example, paralegals may interview prospective clients, research the law, prepare court documents and assist at trials. Paralegals who work on corporate legal matters may prepare contracts, maintain records and ensure that a corporation has complied with various statutes and government regulations. Paralegals who work on real estate matters may prepare mortgage agreements and other documents relating to real estate transactions and assist at closings.

While the major employers of paralegals are private law firms, there are also job opportunities with government agencies, including district attorneys’ offices, and a variety of other employers. In addition, the curriculum may be highly suitable for students who contemplate pursuing other law-related careers, such as careers in law enforcement, or who seek a broad, practical knowledge of the law for its own sake. The Paralegal Studies curriculum has been carefully designed to balance paralegal specialty and related courses with a broad liberal arts background. Students gain valuable practical experience through internships. Paralegal specialty courses are taught by experienced attorneys.