Online Class: Paralegal Studies 101 — Career Overview
no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
-
16Lessons
-
34Exams &
Assignments -
15Hours
average time -
1.5CEUs
Course Description
The paralegal field is highly rewarding for those who seek to be a part of the justice system. On a daily basis, the paralegal is the lawyer's right hand. From the perspective of the law, paralegals are almost like junior lawyers in so far as they must know a lot of what the lawyers know as they will create and present documents for execution upon their lawyer's approval. Paralegals are detail-oriented people, and they will follow up on communications, confirm court dates, check client backgrounds, smooth client relations, help law office to law office relations, and check every detail and every reference in all of their lawyer's documents. In addition, they'll research applicable laws and case references, prepare all court documents, and generally keep their lawyer moving forward.
Trial paralegals also prepare the case interrogatories, file with opposing counsel for discovery, prep the client for deposition and accompany the attorney to court. Although the work is quite detailed, in practice, a paralegal's work is anything but secretarial and many have equal use of their attorney's secretary. Some paralegals also have legal assistants [junior paralegals] to whom they delegate details of their responsibilities.
This introductory Paralegal Studies course is designed to give you information you need to become a successful paralegal. It will take you through a survey of what is needed to become a paralegal, how you may choose to go about it, all of the business details which are generally not known until you are within a firm, and some of the social skills and information you will need to survive and thrive in a firm. If you already have your paralegal certification, then this course will be beneficial if you are seeking your first firm position. You will get an insider's scoop on common mistakes and pitfalls, and you will know how to avoid or overcome common faux pas.
Course Motivation
DO YOU ENJOY?
Here is a short check list of things that a paralegal personality type will generally enjoy:
- Details, detailed work, and follow up
- Discretion and keeping the secrets of others
- Operating from a humble position, yet entrusted with a fair amount of power
- Overtime and going beyond the call of duty
- Letting others have "the last word"
- Research and a certain amount of private investigating
- Case research and referencing case law for your attorney
- Client relations and soothing client concerns
- Deadlines and court appointments
- Hot-headed attorneys and those who need to be the center of attention and always right.
DO YOU HATE?
Here is a short list of things that a paralegal personality type will generally hate:
1. Tardiness
2. Sloppiness
3. People who make excuses for everything
4. Gross injustice
5. People who seek to get one over on everyone they meet
6. Arrogance [although a certain amount from attorneys must be tolerated]
7. Presumptuousness and those who think everyone owes them something
8. Prideful and boastful personalities
9. Indiscretion
10. Intolerant people
CAN YOU PROSPER UNDER A BOSS WHO…
Here is a short list of personality traits and quirks and behaviors common to many attorneys. You must be able to accept these things, not just tolerate them. You must be comfortable putting your own preferences or needs in second place to these things in order to get along well in a law firm.
- Must always be right regardless of what you think, or if you are actually right
- Must have the last word in everything large and irrelevant
- Argues at the drop of a hat
- Curses and perhaps blasphemes when he is angry at other attorneys
- Yells frequently and loudly throughout the firm
- Does not expect you to grovel or always apologize about your errors
- Does not want to hear excuses for anything; he only wants to hear solutions from you regardless of what the nature of the error happens to be
- Will tell you he never expects you to stay late, but he expects you to stay late
- Will brag on you to other attorneys if he is extremely pleased, and you may never know it, except by the way other attorneys respect you
- Gives rare kudos, but very sweet-year end bonuses
BEFORE YOU START INTO LAW
AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN A PARALEGAL FOR A WHILE
The alternative to changing within a firm, or from firm to firm, is to take the next step up to law school. It is estimated that approximately 5 percent of those who begin as paralegals in their mid to late 20s eventually take steps to go to law school and become lawyers. This is a great way to move into a career as a lawyer. It is also one factor that will make you an excellent lawyer, since you already know and understand the paralegal's position/disposition. It also makes you more likely to treat your paralegals well.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
Course Lessons
Lesson 1: So You Want to Be A Paralegal?
- Lesson discussions: Paralegal Studies Course; Reasons for Taking this Course
- Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
- Complete Assignment: An Introduction
- Assessment: Lesson 1: So You Want To Be A Paralegal?
Lesson 2: Qualifying, Education, and Certifications
- Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 2: Qualifying, Education & Certifications
Lesson 3: Making the Cut: Getting Hired and Negotiating Your Salary
- Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 3: Making the Cut: Getting Hired & Negotiating Your Salary
Lesson 4: Unspoken Expectations and How to Get Promoted at Your Firm
- Lesson discussions: Getting Promoted
- Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 4: Unspoken Expectations & How to Get Promoted at Your Firm
Lesson 5: Attorneys, Attitudes, Egos, and Your Managing Attorney
- Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 5: Attorneys, Attitudes, Egos and Your Managing Attorney
Lesson 6: Language and Business Philosophy That Brings Favor From Attorneys
- Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 6: Language and Business Philosophy That Brings Favor From Attorneys
Lesson 7: Things Paralegals Get Burned Over: Protocol and Scapegoats
- Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 7: Things Paralegals Get Burned Over: Protocol & Scapegoats
Lesson 8: Pecking Order Among Paralegals: How to Get Along With Your Interoffice Competition
- Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 8: Pecking Order Among Paralegals - How to Get Along with Your Interoffice Competition
Lesson 9: Managing Your Case Load: Priorities and Management Styles
- Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 9: Managing Your Case Load: Priorities and Management Styles
Lesson 10: Research, Attorney Support, and Lexis Nexis
- Lesson discussions: Attorney Support
- Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 10: Research, Attorney Support and Lexis Nexis
Lesson 11: Your Firm's Case Tracking Systems; eCase, Paradox, etc.
- Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 11: Your Firm's Case Tracking Systems; eCase, Paradox, etc.
Lesson 12: Email, Phone Calls, and Filing
- Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 12: Email, Phone Calls & Filing
Lesson 13: Client Relations and Office-to-Office Relations
- Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 13: Client Relations & Office to Office Relations
Lesson 14: Attorney/Client Privilege and Your Role in It
- Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 14: Attorney/Client Privilege & Your Role in It
Lesson 15: Office Politics, Downsizing, and Firm Mergers
- Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 15: Office Politics, Downsizing & Firm Mergers
Lesson 16: Year End Bonuses, Fringe Perks, Parties, and Dinners
- Lesson discussions: Perks; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
- Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
- Assessment: Lesson 16: Year End Bonuses, Fringe Perks, Parties & Dinners
- Assessment: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define what a paralegal is.
- Describe attorneys, attitudes, egos and your managing attorney.
- Describe language and business philosophy that brings favor from attorneys.
- Describe things paralegals get burned over - protocol and scapegoats.
- Summarize how to get along with your interoffice competition.
- Summarize priorities and management styles.
- Describe research, attorney support and Lexis Nexis.
- Describe email, phone calls and filing procedures.
- Summarize client relations and office to office relations.
- Describe attorney/client privilege and your role in it.
- Summarize office politics, downsizing and firm mergers.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Choose Your Subscription Plan
No Certificate / No CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate | X |
Includes CEUs | X |
Self-paced | |
Instructor support | |
Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate | |
Includes CEUs | |
Self-paced | |
Instructor support | |
Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate | |
Includes CEUs | |
Self-paced | |
Instructor support | |
Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate | |
Includes CEUs | |
Self-paced | |
Instructor support | |
Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "THE INSTRUCTOR IS VERY EXCELLENT" -- MONTAS R.
- "Instructor is excellent. She corrected me when i needed it." -- Delia F.
- "What a terrific instructor and very helpful!!" -- Elizabeth I.
- "Taking this course has changed my life and has inspired me to continue learning. What was most helpful was the comprehensive course content." -- Alexandria B.
- "This course painted a vivid picture of the working environment at a law firm." -- Karen R.
- "The whole course was a plus!" -- Sidney P.
- "Thank you for all the comments and recommendations." -- Ramona E.
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