Paralegal Studies

Full-time students generally enroll in the internship in their second year of the paralegal program.

As an intern, students may be asked to complete a variety of tasks such as maintaining files, answering phones, making copies, filing documents, and more. Interns who prove to be diligent and reliable may be entrusted with additional tasks.

The key to success is to view each task as an opportunity to learn something new. Conscientious interns will learn the skills necessary for success in the paralegal field, including organization, communication, filing, writing, research, investigation, legal technology, multi-tasking, teamwork, and attention to detail. Students participating in the internship program can expect to:

• Gain invaluable hands-on work experience in the legal field
• Apply classroom learning to real world job tasks
• Acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for professional success
• Develop a professional network in the legal community and clarify career goals
• Fulfill the experience requirement associated with many job openings

Paralegal Interns can expect to spend about 12 - 15 hours a week at an internship for about fifteen weeks. The exact number of hours and days will depend on the employer. Generally, internships will take place Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Internships may be renewed by the mutual agreement of the student and the employer.

Skyline College will help students develop professional resumes and cover letters, find internship opportunities, and make connections with employers who have previously provided internships for Skyline College students. Previous internships have been hosted at the organizations listed below. Skyline College does not guarantee placement for student interns.

• Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO)
• Bay Area Legal Aid
• Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA)
• Huff Law
• Law and Mediation offices of Margaret S. Tillinghast
• Law Office of John L. Burris
• The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo
• Martin Family Law Firm in San Mateo
• San Mateo County Law Library
• San Mateo Superior Court
• San Francisco Superior Court

Paralegals work side by side with attorneys and other legal professionals. Most paralegals work under the direct supervision of an attorney drafting various documents, assisting the attorney with trial preparation, and working directly with clients. Some experienced paralegals work as independent contractors working for many different attorneys on specific projects on a contract basis.

Paralegals perform the same functions as an attorney except those prohibited by unauthorized practice of law statues (See California Business and Professions Code Section 6450 (a)). General duties are limited only by statute or a supervising attorney's determination of a specific paralegal's competency.

Some examples of typical paralegal duties are:

• Factual and legal research.
• Organization of client matters.
• Drafting correspondence, pleadings, and discovery for attorney review.
• Legal calendaring.
• Preparing subject matter databases.
• Interaction with clients, court personnel, and opposing attorneys.
• Reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing medical, business, commercial, and other records for attorneys.
• Reviewing legal documents (contracts, insurance policies, etc.) to spot controversial issues.

Paralegals work everywhere. The traditional law office remains the most popular choice for beginning paralegals but it is not the only choice. Paralegals are defined by the nature of their work and not only their job title. You will find paralegals in corporate legal departments, banks, government agencies, real estate offices, public interest and legal aid organizations, and private industry.

Paralegals can also work as non-lawyer advocates representing persons before administrative agencies. The career path for paralegals in the 21st Century is still evolving. Law firms continue to try to find ways to meet client needs and lower the costs involved with running a business. Paralegals are a cost effective way to serve client needs and increase revenue for a law firm.

While employer expectations for hiring paralegal vary, most large firms require a BA and a Paralegal Certificate for all positions as career paralegals. Some employers will hire case clerks without a BA who have completed an academic paralegal certificate program. Some “non-career” paralegal jobs are available for college graduates with BA degrees.

California Business and Professions Code Sections 450-6456 has been the law governing paralegals for several years now, and its effect can be seen in all aspects of the legal community from hiring criteria for paralegals, to salaries and the economic benefits of billing clients for fee generating legal work. There are many law firms and corporations that have learned the hard way, through denial of a fee award for paralegal work for example, just how important it is to hire a paralegal who is qualified pursuant to the specifics of the Code.

The most important section for a working paralegal is 6450(d), as amended in May 2008 to state that, "every two years, commencing January 1, 2007, any person ... working as a paralegal shall be required to certify completion of four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in ethics and four hours of mandatory continuing legal education in either general law or in an area of specialized law."

The Code goes on to say that certification of these requirements shall be made to the paralegal's supervising attorney and also that the paralegal is responsible for keeping a record of their CEU certifications. In most cases this is easily accomplished by turning in CEU certificates to the HR person at your employment. It is vital for all paralegals to keep track on a CEU log of all their courses, and to also keep copies of the actual certificates. If the continuing education criteria are not met by the paralegal, then the paralegal is in violation of the code.

For a course to count, it must meet the requirements of Business and Profession Code section 6070, be offered by an approved MCLE provider, and that provider's State Bar MCLE number should appear on all certificates. SF State has met the stated requirements and has been designated MCLE provider number 5079 by the State Bar of California.

Skyline College recognizes the importance of making continuing education courses affordable and convenient for working paralegals. Each semester there are several Saturday courses offered for MCLE credit. We have been an approved MCLE provider for several years and offer reasonable fees and a convenient downtown location.

Interested in attending law school? Skyline College can help. Check out our law school preparation checklist below and begin your journey from a two-year institution to a four-year institution to law school.

The strategy for getting into law school is to study hard, plan ahead, and keep your GPA up. In addition to working hard, do the following while you are at Skyline College:

• Meet with a Counselor to develop a Student Educational Plan
• Make an appointment at the Transfer Center to confirm that you are on track to transfer
• Research the LSAT and the Law School Admissions Process