Prepare to gain the formal training needed for a career as a paralegal. You will learn to take on a variety of tasks ranging from legal research to drafting legal documents, in traditional law office settings and in corporate, government, and public arenas.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 12 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Office (not included in enrollment).
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online. The following digital textbooks for the Certified Paralegal course are accessed via links in the course lessons:
- Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems, and Skills (eBook)
- Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work (eBook)
Paralegals play a vital role in the legal profession. These qualified professionals take on a variety of tasks ranging from legal research to drafting legal documents in traditional law office settings and in the corporate, government, and public arenas. Obtaining formal training is a critical part of preparing for a career as a paralegal.
The Certified Paralegal course will help you gain the skills you need to enter the paralegal workforce. You will learn how to conduct legal research and legal interviews, how to perform legal analyses, and more. As you prepare for your paralegal career, you will also receive soft skills training to increase workplace effectiveness.
This paralegal certification course includes the development of a professional portfolio of legal deliverables. Your portfolio will include a variety of memos, an analysis brief, a settlement brochure, a client intake report, and documentation of your research conducted using the Westlaw platform. You will learn how to refine your resume and LinkedIn profile to encompass your specialized skill set and showcase the impact you can make for your next employer.
Upon completion of the Certified Paralegal program, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) upon eligibility. Please review the exam requirements prior to registering for this course. Through a partnership with NALA, you will also receive membership and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Review courses, should you choose to take the NALA CP exam.
This paralegal course offers enrollment with or without a voucher. The voucher covers the cost to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.
- How the U.S. Legal System Really Works
- Staying in Bounds: Ethics for Paralegals and Attorneys
- Mastering Legal Research and the IRAC Method
- Legal Writing That Works: Memos, Briefs, and More
- Investigating the Facts: Interviews, Evidence, and Strategy
- Litigation Start to Finish: How Cases Move Through the System
- Contracts That Hold Up: What Every Paralegal Should Know
- Injury Law in Action: Torts and Consumer Protections
- Crime and the Courtroom: Criminal Law Essentials
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Property Law Made Practical: Real Estate for Paralegals
- Debt, Credit, and Bankruptcy Explained
- Legal Tech 101: Tools Every Paralegal Must Master
- Beyond the Courtroom: Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Workplace Law in Action: Labor, Employment, and Compliance
- Running the Office: Timekeeping, Billing, and Best Practices
- Digital Law: E-Discovery and Electronic Evidence
- Stand Out in the Field: Legal Marketing and Professional Networking
- Crack The Exam: NALA Study Strategies That Work
- Test Yourself: Exam Practice and Portfolio Polishing
- Final Challenge: Knowledge Exam and Legal Writing Simulation
What you will learn
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system, including court structures, legal terminology, and procedural processes
- Conduct effective legal research using industry-standard tools, including Westlaw, and apply proper citation methods
- Perform client and witness interviews using appropriate legal and ethical guidelines
- Apply essential litigation communication skills, including drafting legal documents and professional correspondence
- Exhibit workplace soft skills such as professionalism, time management, ethical conduct, and effective collaboration within a legal environment
- Identify and apply core competencies required for success in the legal industry, including legal writing, document review, and case organization
How you will benefit
- Strengthen your legal writing, research, and technology skills, including proficiency in legal research and the ethical use of AI tools
- Develop a professional resume and portfolio that demonstrates legal knowledge, research competency, and practical skills
- Build the confidence to perform effectively in professional legal settings
- Prepare for the Certified Paralegal (CP) certification exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
- Receive a membership to the NALA and access to NALA's Certified Paralegal Exam Review and Practice Exam
Casey Thompson
Casey Thompson is a licensed attorney in Texas. Before he started teaching, his major areas of practice were business and corporate law, entertainment law, and intellectual property rights. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University and holds a law degree from the Texas A&M School of Law. Along with his online paralegal courses, Thompson also teaches at the college level in the areas of state and federal government.
Trina Brown
Trina Brown is an accomplished paralegal with over three decades of experience in the field. Since 2013, she has also been providing education to aspiring paralegals. In addition to her educational role, Trina serves as a court-appointed mediator for the Dallas and Tarrant County courthouses and is a mediation panelist for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Trina has made significant contributions to the legal community, including her work on the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Ethics Handbook and articles published in The Legal Educator magazine. Furthermore, she is a Certified Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Her extensive qualifications have been recognized in the Texas Bar Journal, showcasing current mediation credential holders in the state.
Trina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational dynamics from Immaculata University and a Master of Professional Studies in paralegal studies from The George Washington University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in mediation. Her commitment to service is further demonstrated by her membership in the Paralegal Division of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, an honor society chartered by the Supreme Court of Texas.