NCJ Number
56997
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 59 Dated: (JUNE 1973) Pages: 45-48
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PROGRAM TRAINS LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONALS--SECRETARIES, ASSISTANTS, AND ADMINISTRATORS. THE PROGRAM'S REQUIREMENTS, STRUCTURE, AND CONTENT IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE CURRICULUM OF THE PARALEGAL PROGRAM IS MULTILEVEL, OFFERING A 1-YEAR SEQUENCE FOR LEGAL SECRETARIES, A 2-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS, AND A 4-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM FOR LEGAL ADMINISTRATORS. THE PROGRAM IS OPENENDED SO THAT A STUDENT MAY PROGRESS TO THE LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS AND ABILITIES. A CURRICULAR MODEL WAS PREPARED AFTER ONE RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND INCLUDED FOUR COMPONENTS--GENERAL EDUCATION, RELATED BUSINESS COURSES, SPECIFIC TECHNICAL LEGAL COURSES, AND INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. COURSES INCLUDE NATURAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, COMMUNICATIONS AND HUMANITIES, BASIC ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES, BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE, DATA PROCESSING, AND THE TRADITIONAL BUSINESS LAW SEQUENCE OF CONTRACTS, AGENCY, AND NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS, REAL ESTATE LAW, LITIGATION AND TRIAL PRACTICE, ESTATE PLANNING, LEGAL RESEARCH, TAXATION, DOMESTIC RELATIONS, AND CRIMINAL LAW. SPECIAL COURSES IN LEGAL ADMINISTRATION ARE TAUGHT BY PRACTICING LAWYERS. PLACEMENT OF INTERNS FOR THE FOURTH PROGRAM PHASE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM, SINCE MANY FIRMS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO EMPLOY HELP TEMPORARILY, MONITOR THE INTERNS' PROGRESS, AND PROVIDE EVALUATION REPORTS. ALTHOUGH ENROLLMENT INTEREST AND INSTITUTION SUPPORT FOR THE TRAINING PROGRAM CONCEPT ARE ENCOURAGING, PROGRAM SUCCESS CANNOT BE CALCULATED UNTIL RESULTS ON PLACEMENT OF GRADUATES IN CAREERS ARE AVAILABLE. NO REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DAG)