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 handle a variety of tasks, from conducting legal research to drafting legal documents across traditional law offices, corporations, government agencies, 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, including generative AI and AI-assisted legal technologies. 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 program, you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Paralegal exam through the NALA – The Paralegal Association, 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, and are not included.
Certified Paralegal
Lesson 1: How the U.S. Legal System Really Works
- What Is Law, and Where Does It Come From?
- Understanding Legal Authority
- Structure of Government in the United States
- The U.S. Court System and the Progress of a Case
- The Legal Team and the Role of the Paralegal
- Lesson 1 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 2: Staying in Bounds: Ethics for Paralegals and Attorneys
- Foundations of Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- The Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)
- Confidentiality, Communication, and the NALA Code of Ethics
- Ethics in Law Office Practice
- Consequences of Ethical Violations and Professional Liability
Lesson 3: Mastering Legal Research and the IRAC Method
- Foundations of Legal Research
- Legal Research Tools and Resources
- Digital Legal Research and Source Evaluation
- Legal Citation and Writing Standards
- Applying the IRAC Method to Legal Analysis
Lesson 4: Legal Writing That Works: Memos, Briefs, and More – Including Ethical Use of AI in Legal Writing
- Foundations of Legal Writing
- Writing Interoffice Memos
- Writing for Clients and Courts
- The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Legal Reasoning and the IRAC Method
- Editing and Citation
Lesson 5: Investigating the Facts: Interviews, Evidence, and Strategy
- The Role of the Paralegal in Legal Investigations
- Preparing and Conducting Client and Witness Interviews
- Evaluating and Categorizing Evidence
- Organizing Investigations With Checklists and Forms
- Writing Effective Investigation Reports
- Lesson 5 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 6: Litigation Start to Finish: How Cases Move Through the System
- The Parties and Legal Prerequisites
- Jurisdiction and Civil Suits
- The Complaint
- The Defendant's Answer
- The Discovery Phase of a Civil Case
- Lesson 6 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 7: Contracts That Hold Up: What Every Paralegal Should Know
- What Is a Contract?
- Classifying Contracts and UCC Applications
- Interpreting and Analyzing Contract Terms
- Breach of Contract and Defenses
- Remedies and Enforcement
- Lesson 7 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 8: Injury Law in Action: Torts and Consumer Protections
- Understanding Torts and Their Role in Civil Law
- Negligence and the Reasonable Person Standard
- Strict Liability (Specifically Product Liability)
- Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations
- Remedies and Legal Action in Tort and Consumer Claims
- Lesson 8 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 9: Crime and the Courtroom: Criminal Law Essentials
- Foundations of Criminal Law
- Criminal Offenses
- Criminal Procedure and Constitutional Rights
- Trials, Sentencing, and Appeals
- Criminal Defenses and Paralegal Practice
- Lesson 9 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 10: Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Establishing a Valid Will
- Probate Administration and Intestate Succession
- Trusts and Their Role in Estate Planning
- Specific Types of Trusts and Non-Probate Transfers
- Lesson 10 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 11: Property Law Made Practical: Real Estate for Paralegals
- Real Estate Contracts and Transactions
- Real Estate Finance and Mortgages
- Land Use and Zoning
- Landlord-Tenant Law
- Lesson 11 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 12: Debt, Credit, and Bankruptcy Explained
- Overview of Debtor-Creditor Law
- Secured Transactions and Liens
- Bankruptcy Fundamentals
- Rights and Duties in Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy Litigation and Ethics
Lesson 13: Legal Tech 101: Legal Research, AI-Assisted Tools, and Digital Workflows
- Case and Document Management Systems
- Legal Research Platforms
- E-Filing and Court Interface Tools
- AI-Assisted Research Tools
- Cloud Storage and Collaboration Platforms
- Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Tools
Lesson 14: Beyond the Courtroom: Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Understanding ADR
- The Legal Framework of ADR
- The Paralegal's Role in ADR
- Strategy in Negotiation and Mediation
- Applying ADR
Lesson 15: Workplace Law in Action: Labor, Employment, and Compliance
- Foundations of Employment Law
- Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation in the Workplace
- ADA, FMLA, and Employee Rights in Practice
- Wage and Hour Compliance
- Workplace Investigations, Terminations, and Documentation
- Lesson 15 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 16: Running the Office: Timekeeping, Billing, AI, and Best Practices
- Applying Billing Procedures Using Timekeeping Software
- Ethical Rules for Managing Client Trust Accounts
- Billing, Invoicing, and Avoiding Unauthorized Billing Practices
- Ethical and Practical Considerations for Using AI in Client Relations and Marketing
- How Law Firms Are Paid and Related Ethical Issues
Lesson 17: Digital Law: E-Discovery, Electronic Evidence, and Emerging Technology
- A Brief History of Documentary Evidence
- Electronic Records and the Digital Shift
- Federal and State Rules For E-Discovery
- Practical Applications for Paralegals
- The Future of Electronic Evidence
- Emerging Technology Through AI
- Cybersecurity, Deepfakes, Big Data, and Future Evidentiary Challenges
- Lesson 17 Practice NALA Style Multiple-Choice Test
Lesson 18: Stand Out in the Field: Legal Marketing and Professional Networking
- Building an Identity in the Legal Field
- Networking in Legal Communities
- Developing Employer and Attorney Relationships
- Ethical Considerations in Paralegal Marketing
- Creating Your Networking Plan
Lesson 19: Crack the NALA Exam: Study Strategies That Work
- Applying for and Understanding the NALA CP Exam
- Building Your Study Plan
- Mastering Multiple-Choice and Skills Exam Strategies
- Legal Research, Writing, and Practical Tools for Success
- Preparing for Exam Day and Beyond
Lesson 20: Test Yourself: Exam Practice and Portfolio Polishing
- Full-Length Exam Experience and Its Value
- Practice NALA-Style Multiple-Choice Test 1
- Reviewing and Debriefing Results
- Practice NALA-Style Multiple-Choice Test 2
- Building Your Portfolio
- Practicing Practical Skills: Timed Writing and Research
- Reflection, Integration, and Exam-Day Readiness
Lesson 21: Final Challenge: Legal Writing, AI-Supported Practice, and Exam Simulation
- Preparing for the Final Challenge
- Mastering the Sample Knowledge Exam
- Legal Writing Essentials for the Skills Exam
- Using AI to Build Confidence Through Simulation
- Using AI to Support Legal Writing Practice
- Creating Effective Prompts for Writing Feedback
- Using AI to Review a Practice Legal Memo
- Evaluating AI Feedback for Accuracy and Usefulness
- The Final Challenge
- 120-Question NALA-Style Multiple Choice Test
What you will learn
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the U.S. legal system, including court structures, legal terminology, ethics, and procedural processes.
- Conduct effective legal research using industry-standard platforms such as Westlaw and AI-assisted research tools, while validating sources and applying 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 an understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with AI, including confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate human oversight
- 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), subject to eligibility requirements
- 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 legal educator and legal professional with more than 30 years of experience in the legal field. Since 2013, she has dedicated her career to educating and mentoring aspiring legal professionals. Trina has contributed extensively to university education through professorial appointments and service on multiple advisory boards, where she shaped paralegal curricula. Her published work includes her longstanding contribution to the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Ethics Handbook and her article, How to Become a High-Potential (HiPo) Paralegal, which was featured in The Legal Educator, the journal of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).
Trina earned a Master of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Dynamics from Immaculata University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in mediation, further expanding her expertise in conflict resolution and legal education. In addition to her professional and educational experience, Trina is a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator and has previously served as a court-appointed mediator for the Dallas and Tarrant County courthouses.