Paralegal Studies

Career Opportunities

Paralegals perform legal and factual research, draft legal documents and correspondence, interview clients and witnesses, assist in trials and court hearings, maintain and organize files, and coordinate the use of technology in law practice settings.  They work under an attorney's supervision and can be employed by private law offices, government agencies, corporations and legal service groups.

Employment Outlook: 2020-2030

• The number of jobs for paralegals and legal assistants is expected to grow by 12%

These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.

Paralegal Studies at De Anza

De Anza's Paralegal Studies program has been approved by the state of California since 1970 and by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1991. The program has been re-approved by the ABA three times, with complimentary statements about its quality.

The college offers certificates and degrees that combine basic legal instruction with practical training in the skills that students need to successfully find employment. These include communication skills, legal research, legal writing and civil litigation procedures, among other subjects.

De Anza's paralegal programs satisfy requirements of state law. Graduates are employed in private law offices, public agencies and corporate law offices.

Paralegal Studies

• Paralegal Studies - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Paralegal Studies

  The Paralegal Studies Certificate of Achievement-Advanced program prepares students to work in the legal field as paralegals under the supervision of attorneys. This program provides graduates with a well-rounded education in a range of legal practice areas, including litigation and corporate law, and elective courses that include intellectual property and other legal practice specialties. Paralegal duties include performing factual and legal research; drafting legal documents and correspondence; interviewing clients and witnesses; assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis, and at trials and hearings; organizing and maintaining case files; and coordinating the use of technology in the legal work.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Paralegal Studies - Associate in ArtsDetails for Associate in Arts - Paralegal Studies

  The Paralegal Studies A.A. degree program prepares students to work in the legal field as paralegals under the supervision of attorneys. This program provides graduates with a well-rounded education in a range of legal practice areas, including litigation and corporate law, and elective courses that include intellectual property and other legal practice specialties. Paralegal duties include performing factual and legal research; drafting legal documents and correspondence; interviewing clients and witnesses; assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis, and at trials and hearings; organizing and maintaining case files; and coordinating the use of technology in the legal work.

  Requirements

  Certificate/Degree Map

• Paralegal Studies - Corporate Law - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Paralegal Studies - Corporate Law

  The Paralegal Studies - Corporate Law Certificate of Achievement-Advanced sequence prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in a corporate law practice, including in-house legal departments, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Paralegal duties in a corporate practice include performing factual and legal research; drafting legal documents and correspondence; interviewing clients and witnesses; organizing and maintaining case files; coordinating the use of technology in legal work; and assisting lawyers with substantive legal work related to mergers and acquisitions, company formation, technology transactions, securities transactions, venture funds, startup enterprises and other specific corporate practice legal work.

  Requirements

• Paralegal Studies - Intellectual Property - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Paralegal Studies - Intellectual Property

  The Paralegal Studies - Intellectual Property Certificate of Achievement-Advanced sequence prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in an intellectual property law practice, including in-house (corporate), government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Paralegal duties in an intellectual property practice include performing factual and legal research; drafting and preparing correspondence and documents for filing with the U.S. and foreign governments; preparing information disclosure statements; interviewing clients and witnesses; organizing and maintaining case files; coordinating the use of technology in legal work; assisting attorneys with work related to due diligence; and in an intellectual property litigation practice, assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis, and during trials and hearings.

  Requirements

• Paralegal Studies - Litigation - Certificate of Achievement-AdvancedDetails for Certificate of Achievement-Advanced - Paralegal Studies - Litigation

  The Paralegal Studies - Litigation Certificate of Achievement-Advanced sequence prepares students to work under the supervision of an attorney in a litigation practice, in-house (corporate) legal department, government agency or nonprofit organization. Paralegal duties in a litigation practice include performing factual and legal research; drafting legal documents and correspondence; interviewing clients and witnesses; assisting attorneys in pretrial work, including document discovery and analysis; assisting attorneys at trials and hearings; organizing and maintaining case files, and coordinating the use of technology in legal work.

  Requirements

In addition to the programs listed above, you may be able to apply courses in this department toward General Education requirements.

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