Group E Group E Productions Productions

PresentsPresents

Legal ED : Legal ED :

Paralegals & the Paralegals & the ProfessionProfession

* A History of the Profession* A History of the Profession

*An Overview of the Profession*An Overview of the Profession

*What to expect as a Paralegal*What to expect as a Paralegal

*Educational Groups for Paralegals*Educational Groups for Paralegals

History of ParalegalsHistory of Paralegals

*Relatively new field*Relatively new field

*Began in 1960’s*Began in 1960’s

*Established itself in 1970’s*Established itself in 1970’s

JOB GROWTHJOB GROWTH

* Considerable * Considerable Growth Growth through 2008through 2008

* Provides job * Provides job securitysecurity

Paralegals Niche in Paralegals Niche in Law FirmLaw Firm

* Research the law* Research the law

* Draft court papers* Draft court papers

* Track files & keep ready * Track files & keep ready for attorneyfor attorney

* Investigate facts of the * Investigate facts of the casecase

Tasks Not Performed Tasks Not Performed By The ParalegalBy The Paralegal

* Give Legal Advice* Give Legal Advice

* Deciding what to charge* Deciding what to charge

* Present cases in court* Present cases in court

Critical SkillsCritical Skills

* Computer knowledge* Computer knowledge

* Organization* Organization

* Confidentiality* Confidentiality

* Communication Skills* Communication Skills

Other Avenues for Other Avenues for ParalegalsParalegals

* Corporate legal departments* Corporate legal departments

* Banks* Banks

* Trust, Title, Loan Companies* Trust, Title, Loan Companies

* Government Offices* Government Offices

* Free Lance* Free Lance

Associations forAssociations for Paralegals Paralegals

*ABA American Bar Association*ABA American Bar Association

*NALA National Association of Legal *NALA National Association of Legal AssistanceAssistance

*NFPA National Federation of *NFPA National Federation of Paralegal AssociationParalegal Association

*AAFPA The American Association *AAFPA The American Association for Paralegal Educationfor Paralegal Education

*The Arkansas Association of Legal *The Arkansas Association of Legal AssistantsAssistants

Consider an Consider an Education with Education with

Options Options Consider a Career Consider a Career

as a Paralegalas a Paralegal