Paralegals - also called legal assistants - continue to assume a growing range of tasks in the nation's legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers.
In addition to this preparatory work, paralegals also perform a number of other vital functions such as drafting contracts, mortgages, separation agreements, and trust instruments. They also may assist in preparing tax returns and planning estates. Some paralegals coordinate the activities of other law office employees and maintain financial office records. Various additional tasks may differ, depending on the employer.
Paralegals are found in all types of organizations, but most are employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices. In these organizations, they may work in all areas of the law, including litigation, personal injury, corporate law, criminal law, intellectual property, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, family law, and real estate.
Platt College has developed a comprehensive curriculum in the Paralegal Studies program that includes lower division courses in: Criminal Law, Research and Writing, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Family Law, Torts, Legal Writing, Legal Terminology, Paralegal Ethics, and Computerized Office Environment. Upper division coursework includes: Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning, Criminal Law II /Advanced Trial Procedures, Civil Litigation II, Family Law II, Research and Writing II, Labor Law/Workers' Compensation, Intellectual Property, Entertainment Law and a Paralegal Externship. Students are introduced to various legal-related computer programs and online research tools during their courses.
Platt College provides each student with a valuable education and highly marketable skills. Technological advances, such as form preparation software, online legal research programs, and the internet, will create even more roles for paralegals in assisting attorneys in the future.
