Business Services & Operations
Paralegal
Career Option
While lawyers have ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals – duties other than those considered to be the “practice of law.” One of a paralegal’s most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. For example, paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They may also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After the information is organized and analyzed, paralegals may prepare written reports that can attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. Whereas attorneys decide and file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys.
In addition to this preparatory work, paralegals perform a number of other functions. For example, they may help draft contracts, mortgages, and separation agreements. They also may assist in preparing tax returns, establishing trust funds, and planning estates. Some paralegals coordinate the activities of other law office employees and maintain financial office records.
Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but most are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices. The tasks of paralegals differ widely according to the type of organization for which they work, but may include litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, employee benefits, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate.
Employment Trends
- Roughly seven out of ten paralegals work for law firms. The remaining three typically work for corporate legal departments and government agencies.
- Employment of paralegals is projected to grow much faster than average as many firms try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once handled by lawyers.
- The best employment opportunities will be won by experienced individuals with formal training.
PGCC Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- Skills development and preparation for potential hire as an intern
Most practicing paralegals have an associate degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies, such as the academic program offered at PGCC.
You can also consider an alternate career approach…
- Take this six-course series to build your basic paralegal skills.
- Seek employment as a paralegal intern to gain professional experience.
- Then, transfer into PGCC’s academic degree program --
Paralegal, Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)
Program Curriculum
This noncredit program is experiential only and does not lead to a professional certification or a degree. However, if you are interested in becoming a paralegal, this program is an excellent “stepping stone” along that path.
| Crs # |
Course Name |
Hrs |
| LAW350 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 1 |
28 |
| LAW351 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 2 |
28 |
| LAW352 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 3 |
28 |
| LAW353 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 4 |
28 |
| LAW354 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 5 |
28 |
| LAW355 |
Paralegal Certificate Program 6 |
28 |
|
Program Total |
168 |