Welcome to the Paralegal
Studies Department

Fullerton College's American Bar Association approved Paralegal Program was created to provide the education and skills necessary for a student to perform the tasks required of paralegals.

Paralegal studies help prepare you for the following careers, among others; Paralegals and Legal Assistants, Law Clerks, Other Legal Occupations, Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers.

What is a Paralegal?

A paralegal plays an important role in working as a team member along with the lawyer and clerical personnel in a legal environment. His or her job responsibilities can be as varied or as specialized as the law practice in which the paralegal is employed. California Business & Professional Code, Section 6400, governs paralegals and specifies:

• Paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney
  
• Perform tasks normally performed by an attorney with the exception of giving legal advice, setting fees or representing clients in adversarial proceedings (court)
  
• Assignments frequently performed by paralegals include:
  
  
  1. Performing initial client interview.
     
  2. Directing investigations and witness interviews.
     
  3. Representing clients in select administrative hearings.
  4. Conducting extensive legal research in all sources of law and secondary authority.
     
  5. Drafting legal briefs, memoranda, pleadings, and other legal documents based on the research conducted.
     
  6. Initiating discovery.
     
  7. Managing witness preparation for trial and a plethora of other tasks associated with litigation and transactional law.
     
  8. Additionally, the paralegal is bound to follow the code of ethics imposed by state law on attorneys as it relates to client confidentiality, the unauthorized practice of law, solicitation, and advertising.

Members of Fullerton's Paralegal Studies Advisory Board Fullerton College's Paralegal Studies Advisory Committee is composed of prestigious practicing attorneys, paralegal/legal assistants, state bar employees, faculty, community representatives, and court personnel, including judges.

The Advisory Board ensures that the curriculum is responsive to the needs of the growing profession and requirements of the ever-expanding legal community.

With semi-annual meetings, the committee actively assists in on-going program reviews and content evaluations.

Employment Facts

Demand for paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow almost 30% in the next five years. Entry level positions in the field have one of the highest wages for occupations requiring just an associate’s degree. A growing number of firms in business and industry employ paralegals to assist in case research and preparation in liability proceedings, in conjunction with their own retained legal counselors. Many paralegals continue with their education to obtain a bachelor’s degree, and, ultimately, their law degree, while working in the field.

Disclaimer

This Program is not intended to prepare students for law school or the practice of law. "No person shall practice law in this state unless he/she is an active member of the State Bar." California Business and Professional Code, Section 6125.

Learn more about our Degree and Certificate programs

Fullerton College’s Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association. Curriculum leads to the Associate of Science Degree and/or Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Studies lead to employment in a paraprofessional capacity as an assistant to an attorney in private practice, in a governmental agency, or in private industry.

Paralegals may perform many tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney including preparation of forms and pleadings, client interviews, researching and writing legal documents, managing a law office, and preparing word processing forms and documents. This program is not intended to prepare students forthe practice of law.

Download a Brochure - includes Program and Certificate Information
(All are in .pdf format. Must have Adobe Reader to view properly.)