Legal Assisting Program

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Welcome to the Web Site of the Legal Studies Department & Legal Assisting Program at Columbus State Community College

Due to the explosive growth of legal services now being requested in all sectors of our economy, there is a continuous demand for well trained personnel in all facets of the legal assisting process.  The need for legal assistants is so great that it is estimated that one paralegal will assist every three or four attorneys and in some areas of practice, such as corporate legal departments, there will be one legal assistant hired for every attorney.

The nature of the Legal Assistants position in the legal community requires individuals with a well rounded educational background.  Critical thinking and excellent communication skills are essential competencies of a Legal Assistant and are included in courses in English, Humanities, Social Science and Basic Science.

The technical curriculum has been designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in the areas of: the role of a legal assistant, ethical requirements, legal research, analysis, the preparation of legal documents, litigation practice and procedure, real estate transactions, family law, administrative law, criminal law, and probate law and practice.

Associate Degree Program: Approved by American Bar Association

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Legal Assisting, the graduate will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in manual and computer assisted research of legal questions and incorporate the same into properly cited memoranda of law.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of a legal assistant. (Legal assistants may not sign legal documents, appear in court or give legal advice.  All activities in legal matters must be supervised by a licensed attorney.)
• Demonstrate an ability to use municipal, county, state, and federal clerks of court and other recording offices.
• Prepare deeds, notes, and other documents for residential real estate transfer.
• Draft documents required to complete family law matters.
• Draft pleadings, motions, and other documents within the applicable rules of evidence and procedure to prepare and complete civil and criminal litigation.
• Prepare documents for use in corporate, partnership, and other business related matters.
• Draft wills, trusts, and other documents necessary for estate administration.
• Describe the legislative and judicial functions of administrative agencies. The legal assisting field is a diverse profession. There is no generic paralegal. Legal Assistants are ages 20 through 70, male/female, people with degrees, changing careers; the vast majority have families. Therefore, we encourage you to consider enrolling in one of our courses of study and becoming a life-long LEARNER at Columbus State as we strive to set a new national standard for legal assisting education and to provide effective delivery of legal services for the 21^st Century. Use this Website to explore the world of Columbus State, THE LEGAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, and to interact with our faculty, our students and the new virtual legal world.

Contact :Information    Request Form

Columbus State Community College Justice and Safety Programs Department 550 East Spring Street Columbus, Ohio  43215

Phone:  (614) 287-2592 Fax:      (614) 287-5363 LegalAssisting Web Coordinator::hadjoua@cscc.edu

© 1999 Columbus State Community College, Legal Studies Department.  All rights reserved.