Paralegal
Beginning in Fall 2012, the Paralegal program will relocate to West Campus. The move is a result of the program’s recent transition into the Technical Careers Division and will allow faculty and staff to institute a new strategy to better serve its students.
Those affected by the move include current students, faculty, staff, support services and any person doing business with the program. The Technical Careers Division is working on a plan to continue to serve all parties with minimal disruption throughout the transition.
As more information on the relocation becomes available it will be posted to http://www.lcc.edu/ legal_asst/move. Anyone with questions should contact Sandy Walsh, Lead Support for the Paralegal program , at 517-483-5228 or walshs3@lcc.edu.
Lansing Community College is proud to offer two excellent Paralegal education programs: The Associate Degree in Business and the Post-Bachelor Certificate. Both are approved by the American Bar Association. The approval of the American Bar Association is a designation that is recognized by members of the legal community as an indicator of quality and is respected by leaders in the field of paralegal education.
The Associate Degree curriculum consists of in-depth legal specialty classes along with a general basic education. Students in this curriculum may be in college for the first time or may have some previous college experience. A student with no previous college can usually complete the curriculum in two years, attending full-time.
The Post-Bachelor certificate program is offered for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. These students can usually complete the program in one year, attending full-time.
Program Goals:
The primary program goal is to educate students to become career paralegals who can perform effectively in a variety of legal settings and can adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice.
The overall program goal is to prepare students for careers as paralegals working under the supervision of lawyers in the public and private sector.
The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes they need to become competent and ethical professional paralegals working in the delivery of legal services.
Program Objectives:
Upon completion of the associates program, graduates should be able to:
- Enter the legal profession as a paralegal.
- Prepare legal documents
- Perform legal research.
- Apply principles of legal ethics.
- Work as a team member.
Upon completion of the post-baccalaureate program, graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the law, the legal and paralegal professions, and the legal process, including the use of technology, appropriate to their expected role in the legal community.
- Demonstrate the acquisition of practical, technical skills as well as basic knowledge of legal theory.
- Demonstrate competence in legal research and writing, problem analysis, and critical thinking.
- Display an awareness of ethical, moral, and social issues that contain legal implications.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the standards of conduct expected of the
legal profession in general and the paralegal in particular.
Role of a Paralegal:
Paralegals are professionals who provide non-clerical services under the supervision of an attorney. Tasks that might be performed by paralegals include maintenance of important documents relating to lawsuits or business transactions, preparation of trial exhibits, legal research and investigation, drafting of court pleadings and legal documents, and completion of form documents. The actual practice of law is restricted to licensed attorneys. Work performed by paralegals allows attorneys to commit more time to activities that specifically require the expertise of a trained lawyer. Use of paralegals results in lower costs for legal services and greater efficiency and economy for all concerned.
Student Profile:
The students in the program are as diverse as the opportunities that await them upon graduation. Many enter the program directly from high school. Some bring with them significant work experience or other educational background. Some students have used this training as a springboard to law school and a career as an attorney.
Public Service Careers
West Campus, Room M127
Phone: (517) 483-1570
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