Union County College

Union County College

Become a paralegal specialist at Union County College

The Paralegal Studies program has the mission of recognizing the essential role played by paralegals in law practice, both in the private and in the public sector. Students will be prepared to gain employment in the legal profession with the required skills, or to transfer to a 4-year college or university to complete their baccalaureate. Those students that already have a B.A., or who are already in employment in the field of law, will also find this program suitable and of benefit to them.

The following are the specific objectives of the program that graduates must attain:

• To understand the role that paralegals have in the American legal system, with particular regard to the practice of non-lawyers in law, and the ethical responsibilities of paralegals
• Show an ability to think critically and develop good problem solving skills
• Communicate effectively with other people within a diverse society, while maintaining a professional demeanor and securing client confidence
• Use existing and new technology to gather facts from client interviews and other investigations, and also to carry out other legal research
• Be able to write clearly and concisely, with a high degree of accuracy as required by the standards of the legal profession
• Develop the ability to understand the differences and similarities among the various areas of law
• Discuss the principles and define the legal terminology of the various areas of law
• Assess and appraise the relevant issues in law that are presented in various fact patterns
• Carry out the preparation of pleadings, discovery requests, motions and prepare the various forms required for the preparation of litigation and post-trial practice
• Apply computer technology to data compilation and law office management systems, including the maintenance of client databases and maintenance of file libraries