Paralegal Studies

Program Objectives:

This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to work under the supervision of an attorney in all areas of the law including administrative, bankruptcy, civil litigation, corporate, criminal, domestic, employment, environmental, estate planning, health care, and real estate.  Graduates will investigate, interview, research, organize, analyze, draft case documents and materials, and generally assist attorneys in all phases of client representation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate understanding the rules of ethics and the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements for working on corporate legal matters, which may involve preparing contracts, maintaining records, and ensuring that a corporation has complied with various statutes and government regulations.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of property law, including general property cases, the preparation of mortgage agreements, and other documents relating to real estate transactions and assisting at closings.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of criminal law, including instruction on the preliminary factual investigation and other pre-trial work, in-depth education regarding constitutional and statutory standards for law enforcement practices, as well as plea negotiation, trial, sentencing issues, and appellate practice.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of procedure for both civil and criminal court, as well as the rules of evidence.
6. Display understanding of case law related to interpreting procedural and evidentiary rules.
7. Identify basic differences between state and federal jurisdictions
8. Explain how a case proceeds from beginning to end in both criminal and civil courts
9. Identify the specific functions a paralegal may perform at each stage in the legal process.
10. Outline the structure of the state and federal governments
11. Explore specialized legal issues in family law and estate planning including marriage, divorce, custody, property division, and wills
12. Complete a legal internship, including conducting an effective job search, demonstrating interviewing skills, and creating an appropriate resume and cover letter.
13. Demonstrate an understanding of the qualities of professionalism required of a paralegal, such as reliability, pride in work product, integrity, competence, and resourcefulness.
14. Demonstrate the professional skills necessary for a paralegal assisting in the delivery of legal services through knowledge of the latest business technology
15. Operate technologies specific to the legal field including legal researching platforms and common billing software
16. Operate electronic legal filing systems
17. Prepare discovery and e-discovery documentation
18. Perform practical functions like bill collection, time keeping standards and methods, and preparation of legal documents and demand letters
19. Apply principles of legal research germane to the State of Idaho.
20. Locate, analyze, and apply those rules, as well as the interpretative decisions regarding ethics, and other ethical guidelines
21. Prepare to interview prospective clients, engage in relevant legal research, prepare court documents, and assist at trial.
22. Develop oral and written communication skills necessary for a paralegal.
23. Present legal research in both written and oral settings.
24. Demonstrate capacity for interviewing clients and witnesses.
25. Use law libraries and online research tools to locate primary authority, use secondary sources, update research sources, and utilize specific legal materials.
26. Utilize the process and structure of proper legal analysis on both case law and statutory authority
27. Prepare to deliver high quality legal services through the competent and efficient creation of legal documents including pleadings, motions, briefs, memorandums of law, contracts, estate planning documents, correspondence, and case briefs.