Finger Lakes Community College

Find a job as a paralegal professional

There has been a dramatic growth in demand for paralegals over recent years, due partially to an increase in litigation by the population in general and partially by the legal system becoming more accessible to the ordinary person. There are other reasons, but the upshot is that qualified attorneys have been coming under increasing pressure to spend more time of tasks for which only they are qualified, and less on the tasks that could be carried out by paralegals.

Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, assist attorneys in mainly substantive legal work. Paralegals become involved in interviewing witnesses and clients, drafting legal document, legal writing, closing real estate deals, conducting investigations and carrying out legal research. The paralegal's work is carried out under supervision by an attorney, who is ultimately responsible for the work, but is then more available to carry out tasks related to procedural rather than substantive law.

The Paralegal course provided by Finger Lakes Community College has been designed to provide a high quality paralegal program for students, to ensure that they have the skills to competently assist attorneys after graduation. It has sought has been given the approval of the American Bar Association. This approval, although not obligatory, signifies that the Paralegal program offered by the college is providing the highest quality of paralegal education. Not only that, but the program is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, whereby high standards have to be maintained to obtain and maintain status as a member.

The Program: options and opportunities

The Associate in Applied Science Paralegal degree course at Finger Lakes Community College has been designed to enable you to gain employment as a paralegal immediately after graduation. The American Bar Association guidelines were used in developing the program, and qualified attorneys and other legal experts in the area were consulted in its development. Emphasis is placed upon the practical skills and knowledge of the law needed in many common specialties such as estate and real property law, family law, and trust law.

The paralegal degree course, approved by the American Bar Association (A.B.A.) places emphasis on office management and modern office skills, as well as the legal theory and practice needed by the paralegal. Finger Lakes Community College provide small classes with individual attention for students.

On successful completion of the paralegal course at Finger Lakes Community College, students will be qualified to gain paralegal employment in many types of law office, such as the legal department of banks, insurance companies, title insurance firms, banks and corporations. Not only that, but graduates will be able to find employment with consumer organizations, local, state and federal agencies, community legal services programs and anywhere else that provides legal services.

A student who successfully completes the Paralegal Program at Finger Lakes Community College is well prepared to find employment as a paralegal in law firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate development companies, title insurance firms and banks. In addition, our graduates are prepared to find jobs with community legal service programs; consumer organizations; federal, state and local agencies; and other public organizations needing or providing legal assistance.