Pasco-Hernando Community College

Pasco-Hernando Community College

Become a paralegal specialist at Pasco-Hernando Community College

If you have an appreciation and interest for the laws that govern our society, you may be suited for a career as a legal assistant. Many of the duties that were handled at one time by attorneys are now dealt with by legal assistants or paralegals. These include:

• conducting interviews
• drafting legal documents
• investigating facts
• doing legal research
• and assisting attorneys with the preparation for their cases.

You'll also preserve and categorize information that is relevant to your assigned cases and provide aid at depositions, hearings, mediations and trails. Since technology is growing more and more vital to legal research and litigation support, a good paralegal must know how to use a computer. Necessary attributes in this field are strong organizational skills, an eye for details, and a courteous manner in dealing with the public.

Additionally, legal assistants should enjoy the study of law and keeping abreast of new developments affecting their area of practice. The main goal of this program is to get students ready for employment as legal assistants for lawyers, government agencies, insurance companies and many other types of businesses. This program also aims at furthering the education of those already working as paralegals.

Job Outlook

The past several years have seen dramatic increases in litigation, bringing the highest demand ever for legal assistants. Lists ranking the country's fastest-growing professions are perpetually dominated by the paralegal profession. In the next decade, as per the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, legal assisting jobs are expected to increase by 21% to 35%. \ Potential Earnings Annual salaries for paralegals range from $32.000 to $51.000, according to the Market Statistics by the Florida Agency of Workplace Innovation. Normal salary levels are about $45,000.