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Legal Assisting

Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies)

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Train in a Fast-Growing Legal Position

Our legal system is constantly evolving. Judges, lawyers and countless supporting staff members all contribute to the shaping of our laws and governance in a way that directly impacts every citizen. Maybe it was your favorite legal TV shows that influenced you to get involved in the law, or perhaps it was simply a desire to help others. Whatever your reasons for wanting to pursue a career in the legal field, Broward College will help you achieve your goals. Join our Legal Assisting program for a rewarding, challenging curriculum that will ensure you have the tools and training today’s paralegals and legal assistants need. 

 

Paralegals (often referred to as legal assistants) are persons knowledgeable in certain areas of law who perform delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. They work side by side with attorneys performing such vital functions as:
  • Assisting with trial preparation
  • Conducting legal and factual research
  • Meeting with clients and witnesses
  • Drafting legal documents and legal correspondence
  • Monitoring deadlines

 

Paralegals/legal assistants cannot engage in the actual practice of law by doing such activities as giving legal advice, rendering legal judgment, setting fees, negotiating settlements or representing clients in court. Learn more about our program and when you’re ready, start applying today. 
  
 
 
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​Helpful Paralegal Links
​Dictionaries​
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Legal Dictionary
  
Findlaw’s Legal Dictionary
  
Merriam-Webster
  
 
​Florida Legal/Business Sites​
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​Lawyers & Law Firm Directory​
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This is the site of the Martindale-Hubbell legal database.  At this site you can research law firms and individual lawyers.  This site also has a career center as well as links to articles, press releases, conferences, and webinars.
​Legal Assisting & Paralegal Associations​
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Classroom Experience

The development of our curriculum is assisted by local industry leaders to ensure your education and training consists of current, real-world applications. Some of the topics and training you will experience as a Legal Assisting student include: 
  • Legal writing
  • Immigration law
  • Criminal and civil litigation
  • Real estate closing procedures
  • Legal software program training
  • Traditional and computerized legal research 
 
Broward College conveniently offers Legal Assisting courses on the North Campus in Coconut Creek and the South Campus in Pembroke Pines. Class sizes are between 25 to 30 students, and offer a diverse setting to practice intercultural communication. Classes are available in the evening, offering maximum flexibility to working professionals. We also offer internships and career services to help you put your degree and training to work.
 
By the time you complete the program, you will be able to: 
  • Prove an ability to think critically
  • Utilize law office technology effectively
  • Understand the ethical obligations of legal professionals
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrate practical paralegal skills required in the workplace
  • Prove a grasp of substantive legal knowledge in a variety of subject areas
  • Qualify to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) exam  
View full Legal Assisting program.​

Career Path

The paralegal/legal assistant profession is one of Broward County’s fastest growing occupations. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation anticipates an average of 151 new positions to open annually in Broward County alone. The projected 2016 employment figures show an impressive 4.5 percent growth in the profession. 

 

Nationally, paralegals/legal assistants can expect a much faster than average employment growth, with an 18 percent increase expected through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  As of May 2009, the annual mean salary for legal assistants/paralegals in Broward County was $47,140, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages.  Starting salaries may be lower and salaries for very experienced paralegals may be higher than this mean average.
 
 
Graduates of Broward College’s Legal Assisting AS program will find an abundance of career opportunities upon completion of their degree. Some of the employers who hire legal assistants include:
 
  • Adoption agencies
  • Lending institutions
  • Insurance companies
  • Mortgage companies 
  • Non-profit institutions
  • Corporations with in-house counsel
 

Is This Program Right for Me?

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a paralegal or legal assistant, you should:

  • Be an organized individual
  • Have a keen interest in the law
  • Display excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Accreditation

Broward College is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award associate’s degrees in Legal Assisting.
 
The program itself is approved by the American Bar Association.

Faculty

The faculty members who teach Legal Assisting courses are established local attorneys and judges. They greatly contribute to your success in this program by bringing their knowledge from the courtroom into the classroom. You will be learning directly from influential professionals who know what the demands of today’s paralegals entail.

Courses

The Legal Assisting program takes approximately two years to complete if you are enrolled as a full-time student.

 

Browse Legal Assisting courses.
Broward College's Legal Assisting Program honors credits for courses taken at other institutions that are fully accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education that participate in the Florida statewide course numbering system and are judged by the appropriate common course designation and numbering system faculty task forces to be academically equivalent to legal specialty courses offered at Broward College.  All other legal specialty courses that are completed and transcripted from either an accredited institution or an ABA-approved program will be evaluated by the Program Manager for specific course equivalencies and how accepted credit will be applied toward specific degree requirements.​

Contact Us

Program Advisors  

 

Judson A. Samuels South Campus
Carolinda Williams
954-201-8111
Building 70, Room 202
7200 Pines Blvd.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
North Campus
Tahnese Flournoy
954-201-2270
Building 46, Room 238E
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd.
Coconut Creek, FL 33066
 
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Legal:
Copyright © 2013, Broward College
SACS COC Accreditation | Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Institution

111 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954.201.7350
Broward College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies may be directed to: Denese Edsall, Associate Vice President, Human Resources, 6400 NW 6th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33309, (954) 201-7502, dedsall@broward.edu