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Paralegal Certificate Course Self-Study

Paralegal 1    

Paralegal 2

Students have six months to complete the Self-Study format course.

Note: Both sessions must be taken consecutively.

Paralegal Certificate Course: Part 1

Welcome to Paralegal Part 1, the first half of the Paralegal Certificate Course © offered in an independent study format. This course represents the culmination of thirty (30) years of “live” classroom instruction of this course for liberal arts and pre-law students at major universities across the United States. To serve foreign students and law firm employees overseas, as well as people residing far from our live classroom lecture locations, we began offering this course in a video format in 1987. Now, with this self-study format, we are overcoming the boundaries of distance and time by bringing the classroom into your office or living room.  Students who successfully complete both halves of the course will receive a Paralegal Certificate of Completion from their chosen, sponsoring college or university.

Once registered, your password and access information will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation.

Paralegal 1:

Introduction to Paralegal Studies provides the foundation for the study of paralegalism. During the first half of the course, you will gain an understanding of the American legal system and learn how you can be of assistance in the exciting field of law. Coursework in Paralegal 1 is equivalent to 45 class hours of study.

This course is the first of two courses leading to a Paralegal Certificate. Successful completion of both halves of the Paralegal Certificate Course © will result in a Paralegal Certificate issued from the sponsoring college or university of your choice. (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced coursework to meet the requirements of new legislation, California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information . New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional education requirements as set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information . The course is designed to train students to work as paralegals, provide advanced legal workers with additional skills, and educate students in the American legal system.

Paralegal 1 Objectives:

After successfully completing the tests and assignments for the first half of this course, you will know:

• The origins and history of the American legal system
• The meaning and application of important legal terminology
• Attorney and paralegal ethics
• Techniques of jury selection and the jury selection process
• How to prepare legal documents including demand letters, pleadings, discovery documents, motions and memos
• Significant elements of the substantive law of torts, contracts
• The important rules of civil procedure and evidence
• How to conduct a legal interview
• How to conduct legal investigation
• How to conduct legal analysis and perform legal problem solving

Expectations

You will be expected to spend an average of 6-7 hours per lesson module reading and completing writing assignments. There are no set deadlines for your assignments but all coursework must be finished in the six month enrollment period.

Please note that one month extensions are available to purchase for $150 a month if you are unable to complete the course in the six month limit and need additional time.  Students are allowed a maximum of three extensions for the entire course.

Every assignments must be completed with a 70% or better to pass the course.

The entire course, Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2, must be completed within 6 months from your registration date. NOTE: To receive your Paralegal Certificate, students must enroll in, and successfully complete both halves of the course (Paralegal 1 and Paralegal 2). Paralegal 1 is a prerequisite for Paralegal 2.

Course Books

The following texts are available to order from CLS by BARBRI. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended. Please note that these same texts will also be used for the second half of the course: Paralegal 2.

• Paralegal Career for Dummies , 2nd Edition. Hoboken: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2019 by Scott A. Hatch and Lisa Zimmer Hatch.
• Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook , Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2010 by Margaret J. Kirk.
• Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course© , Golden: CLS by BARBRI, 2013
• Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills , 8th Edition. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning, 2016 by William Statsky.
• Federal Civil Rules Booklet , most recent edition, Dahlstrom Legal Publishing, Inc.
• Uniform System of Citation (aka “The Bluebook”) , most recent edition, Harvard Law Review.

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law , 4th Edition, by Daniel Oran. Clifton Park: Delmar Cengage Learning

For more information, call CLS by BARBRI at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Paralegal Part 1: Reading Assignments for Lesson Modules:

Module One: Introduction to the American Legal System

• Read Chapter 4 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).
• Review the legal terms on pages 315-336 of PCD (pages 309-334 if you have the first edition).
• Read Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, concentrating on Rules 1-56.
• Read Chapter 6 in Introduction to Paralegalism (“Statsky”)

Module Two: Beginning the Lawsuit and the Discovery Process

• Read Chapter 6 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).
• Read Chapter 7 pages 101 up to and including Rule 56 on page 111 in PCD (pages 99-108 if you have the first edition).

Module Three: Torts and Contracts

• Read Chapters 5 in PCD.
• Read Chapter 2 in Legal Document Preparation Manual (“Legal Doc Prep”)

Module Four: Ethics

• Read Chapter 5 in Statsky.
• Read Chapters 15, & 19 in PCD.

Module Five: Introduction to Legal Analysis

• Read Chapter 7 in Statsky
• Read pages 162-168 in PCD.

Module Six: Legal Documents

• Read Chapter 12 in Statsky
• Read Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD
• Read Chapters 1 & 3 in Legal Doc Prep

Module Seven: Discovery Documents

• Read Chapter Chapter 9, pages 401-423 (pages 405-420 in e-book edition) in Statsky
• Read Chapter 4 in Legal Doc Prep
• Review Chapters 10 & 16 in PCD

Module Eight: Legal Interviewing

• Read Chapter 8 in Statsky
• Read Chapter 12 in PCD

Module Nine: Evidence

• Read the rest of Chapter 9 & all of Chapter 10 Statsky
• Read Chapter 11 in PCD
• Read Chapter 7 pages 111 – 116 in PCD (pages 109-114 if you have the first edition)
• Read Federal Rules of Evidence

Module Ten: Hearsay

• Review Chapter 7 pages 111 – 116 in PCD (pages 109-114 if you have the first edition)
• Review Federal Rules of Evidence

Module Eleven: Legal Investigation

• Review Chapter 11 in PCD
• Review Chapters 7 & 9 Statsky
• Review “Introduction to the Law” Chapter 6 pages 287-293 (pages 291-297 in e-book edition) in Statsky

Module Twelve: Sources of Information, Handling Tangible Evidence, and the Regulation of Paralegals

• Read Chapters 1 & 4 in Statsky

There are six 50-point short answer/essay tests covering two modules at at time.

Writing Assignments:

Your writing assignment is to prepare two interoffice memos in which you analyze legal issues. Each memo is worth 100 points.

Reflection Assignments:

You will also post your responses to six 10-point reflection assignments.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two memos, and six reflection assignments The tests, writing assignments, and reflection assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all assignments.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• Two interoffice memos are 100 points each and comprise 30% of your grade.
• The six reflection assignments are 10 points each and comprise 10% of your grade.

Withdrawal Policy

Students have 15 days from the date date they register for the Self-Study course to drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $100 administrative fee.  Written notice must be sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] before midnight on the 15th day after registration. If students drop the class after 15 days from the registration date, no refund will be issued.

Please NOTE: If you registered for a CLS course directly with the college or university, you are subject to the school’s refund/drop policies.

Paralegal Certificate Course: Part 2

Welcome to Paralegal Part 2, the second half of the Paralegal Certificate Course © (Core Courses) offered via independent study. This course represents the culmination of twenty (20) years of “live” classroom instruction of this course for liberal arts and pre-law students at major universities across the United States. To serve foreign students and law firm employees overseas, as well as people residing far from our live classroom lecture locations, we began offering this course in a video format in 1987. Now, with this independent study format, we are overcoming the boundaries of distance and time by bringing the classroom into your office or living room. Students successfully completing both halves of the course will receive a paralegal certificate from their chosen, sponsoring university.

Once registered, your password and access information will be emailed to you in time for the start of class.

This course will provide you with a working knowledge of legal authority: how it is used in the litigation process and how to locate it through legal research. You will also learn the basics of law office management, substantive law (such as criminal law, domestic relations, real property law, and bankruptcy), and informal and formal advocacy.

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Paralegal I.

Paralegal 2:

The second half of the course builds on the skills learned in Paralegal 1. You will learn the advanced skills of legal research and writing, formal and informal advocacy, and appellate procedure. Coursework in Paralegal 2 is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study.

This course is the second half of the course leading to a Paralegal Certificate. Successful completion of both halves of the Paralegal Certificate Course © will result in a Paralegal Certificate issued from the sponsoring university of your choice.  (California paralegals may need to complete Advanced coursework to meet the requirements of new legislation, California Business and Professional Code §6450. Please click here for more information. New Mexico paralegals need to fulfill additional education requirements as set forth in Rule 20-115 NMRA. Please click here for more information .) The course is designed to train students to work as paralegals, provide advanced legal workers with additional skills, and educate students about the American legal system.

Paralegal 2 Objectives:

After successfully completing the tests and assignments for the second half of this course, you will know:

• The importance of precedence
• What legal authority is, and which authority is the most important
• How to conduct legal research and learn how to use the 4 most effective legal research tools found in virtually every law library
• How to Shepardize your authority
• How to properly cite your authority
• How to conduct computerized legal research used extensively in law offices throughout the country.
• Proper and effective legal writing style
• The basic documents for several important substantive areas of law
• Advocacy techniques for usage in formal or informal settings, and
• How to begin your job search and perhaps begin a freelance paralegal business after your education

Prerequisites

Paralegal 1

Please note that 1 month extensions are available to purchase for $150 a month if you are unable to complete the course in the six month limit and need additional time. Students are allowed a maximum of three extensions for the entire course.

The following texts are available to order from CLS. Some of the texts may be available in libraries, but most students prefer to own these texts because they are great references even after the course has ended. The following texts are required: Please note that these are the same texts you used for the first half of the course (Paralegal 1).

• Paralegal Certificate Course© Workbook, Golden: CLS by BARBRI , 2010 by Margaret J. Kirk.
• Legal Document Preparation Manual for the Paralegal Certificate Course©, Golden: CLS by BARBRI , 2013
• WESTLAW , legal research access, available during the online session (maximum of seven weeks) for only $89. Order Online Now

For more information, call CLS at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Paralegal 2: Reading Assignments for Lesson Topics:

Module One: Legal Authority

• Read Chapter 8 in Paralegal Career for Dummies (“PCD”).

Module Two: Introduction to Legal Research

• Read Chapter 11 in Introduction to Paralegalism (“Statsky”).

Module Three: Secondary Sources and Finding Tools

• Review Chapter 11 in Statsky
• Read Chapter 13 in PCD

Module Four: Case Law Application

• Review Chapter 13 in PCD

Module Five: Citation Format

• Review Chapter 11 in Statsky, concentrating on Citation on pages 506-513 (pages 498-507 if you have the e-book edition)
• Review Chapter 13 in PCD, concentrating on pages 214-216 (pages 208-210 if you have the first edition)

Module Six: Appellate Procedure

• Read Chapter 12, Appellate Brief section on pages 542-546 (pages 534-535 in the e-book edition) and Chapter 10, Litigation Assistant: Appeal Section on pages 483-484 (page 477 in e-book edition) in Statsky
• Read Chapter 5 in Legal Document Preparation Manual (“Legal Doc Prep”)
• Review “Appealing the decision” in PCD on pages pages 87-89

Module Seven: Legal Research

• Review Chapter 11 in Statsky

Module Eight: Legal Analysis

Module Nine: Legal Writing and Analysis

• Read Chapter 12 Statsky
• Read Chapter 16 in PCD

Module Ten: Legal Writing and Analysis continued

• Review Chapter 12 in Statsky
• Review Chapter 16 in PCD

Module Eleven: Law Office Administration, Administrative Agencies & Informal and Formal Advocacy

• Read Chapters 13, 14 & 15 in Statsky
• Read Chapters 17 & 18 in PCD

Module Twelve: Job-Hunting Techniques & Course Wrap-up

• Read Chapter 1, 2, & 3 in PCD
• Read Chapters 2 & 3 in Statsky

WESTLAW Research Exercises:

You will complete 3 WESTLAW Research exercises to hone your research skills and help you prepare to research your appellate brief assignment. Each exercise is worth 10 points. Deadlines are posted within your course.

Your writing assignment for this course is to complete an Appellate Brief based on a hypothetical case. This assignment is worth 100 points.

Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two memos, WESTLAW research exercises and six reflection assignments. The tests, writing assignments, and reflection assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities in the course. All assignments must be submitted to pass the course. 70% is the minimum passing score on all assignments.

• The WESTLAW research assignments are 10 points each and comprise 15% of your grade.
• The appellate brief is 100 points and comprises 15% of your grade.

Students have 15 days from the date date they register for the Self-Study format course to drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $100 administrative fee.  Written notice must be sent to CLS by BARBRI by email at [email protected] before midnight on the 15th day after registration. If students drop the class after 15 days from the registration date, no refund will be issued.

* WESTLAW access is available for a maximum of 90 days for only $89.00. Please read the WESTLAW User Agreement for more information.

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A Paralegal’s Study Guide

Tips to take and pass the two most popular paralegal certification exams.

By Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS, and Ann Price, RP

(Originally appeared in print as "Back to the Books")

January/February 2007 Table of Contents

Professional certification lends credibility to any profession, and the paralegal profession is no exception. Although paralegal certification is voluntary, an exam is often part of the certification process.  Nationally, Nals … the association for legal professionals has offered various exams in the legal field since 1960, adding one specifically for paralegals, the Professional Paralegal exam, in 2004. On a local level, several states have their own paralegal certification exams, including California , Texas , Ohio , Louisiana , North Carolina and Florida .

According to the Legal Assistant Today 2006 Salary Survey, the two most widely taken exams are also the two oldest: the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Certified Legal Assistant exam, created in 1976, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations’ Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam, created in 1994. What are these exams all about and how can you prepare for them? In this article, two veteran paralegals give you all the background information, requirements and study tips you need to hit the books and get started on your next professional journey.

The CLA Exam: 30 Years and Still Going Strong

By Stacey Hunt, CLA, CAS

The “granddaddy†of voluntary certification examinations for paralegals is the CLA program offered by NALA. The examination has recently added a second designation, Certified Paralegal, for those who prefer the paralegal title. As of June 1, 2005, 12,883 paralegals had earned the CLA/CP designation. There is a 45 percent to 50 percent pass rate.

Design of the Examination

To earn the CLA/CP designation, paralegals must take a comprehensive two-day examination on federal law and procedure, consisting of the following five sections:

Communications, which covers grammar, composition, writing, vocabulary, professional and social contacts with clients, attorneys and co-workers, and skills for interviewing clients and witnesses.

Ethics, which covers confidentiality, unauthorized practice of law, conflict of interest, advertising, identifying oneself as a nonlawyer to the public, professional integrity, attorney codes and discipline.

Legal Research, which covers sourc­es of law, primary and secondary authority, citing, Shepardizing, citation rules and research problems.

Judgment and Analytical Ability, which  covers analyzing facts and evidence, reading comprehension, data interpretation and logical reasoning. Examinees also must write a research memo.

Substantive Law, which is a general section that covers the American court system, including structure and jurisdiction, branches of government, sources of law, the appellate process, and sources and classifications of law.

Examinees then are tested on four subsections of their choice from the following areas of law: administrative, bankruptcy, business organization, civil litigation, contracts, criminal law and procedure, estate planning and probate, family law or real estate.

To be eligible to take the CLA/CP examination, a legal assistant must meet one of the following requirements:

Graduate from an American Bar Association-approved legal assistant program, associate degree program or a post-baccalaureate certificate program in legal assistant studies; or graduate from a bachelor’s degree program in legal assistant studies or from a legal assistant program that consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours, of which at least 15 semester hours are substantive legal courses.

Earn a bachelor’s degree in any field, plus have one year of experience as a legal assistant. Successful completion of at least 15 semester hours of substantive legal assistant courses will be considered equivalent to one year of experience as a legal assistant.

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent plus seven years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a member of the bar, plus evidence of a minimum of 20 hours of continuing legal education credit to have been completed within a two-year period prior to the examination date.

The CLA/CP examination is offered in locations around the country three times a year, in March or April, July and December.

NALA has a two-day testing schedule, always starting on Friday, and you should know it ahead of time so you can be mentally prepared. On Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. you will be tested on communications. After a 90-minute lunch break, the judgment and analytical ability portion of the test will be given from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. That evening you will have a chance to review for Saturday’s sections: ethics from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and legal research from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. After a lunch break on Saturday, you will sit for the final section, substantive law, from 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

One of the most difficult sections is the judgment and analytical ability portion, which requires you to write (not type) a research memo.

Studying for the Examination

There are many ways to study for the CLA/CP examination. If you like to study independently, NALA has published three guides through Thomson Delmar Learning/West Legal Studies to help paralegals prepare for the examination. The first, the CLA Review Manual, is practically a must-read if you want to pass the examination. Each chapter covers a different section of the examination with sample questions and practice tests.

The second guide, the NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, covers general skills on which you will be tested during the examination, including the American legal system, research, ethics, judgment and analytical ability, interview techniques and other topics such as pretrial litigation skills, discovery and assisting at trial.

The guide book is the CLA Mock Examination and Study Guide, which consists of a two and a half hour mock examination. This guide is useful to help you find out where your strengths lie in the four substantive legal areas so you can sign up for those you are best in. The books can be ordered from the NALA Web site at www.nala.org. NALA also offers online self-study programs for eight different test areas. These are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be taken at your own pace. The programs are available through NALA Campus (www.nalacampus.com).

If you would rather study with others, many state and local paralegal associations offer review programs for their members, or you also can form your own study group. Study groups usually meet once a week for three to four months before the examination, and they are a great way to keep up your enthusiasm and commitment.

Twice a year, NALA provides examination review programs. In October, the CLA Short Course is offered at a central location. (The October 2006 Short Course was taught in Denver .) The Short Course is a two and a half day program focusing on topics that you will be tested on during the examination. Every July at the NALA annual conference, the Essential Skills program is offered. The July 2007 Essential Skills program will be offered in New Orleans from July 11 to July 14.

NALA also offers live Web-based presentations of its Short Course programs through NALA Campus Live. The programs are interactive and participants are able to ask the instructors questions and discuss matters with other students. A telephone and a computer with high-speed Internet access are required. You can find more information at www.nalacampus.com.

CLE After the Exam

Once you have earned your CLA or CP designation, congratulations, but the work doesn’t stop here. To maintain your certification, you are required to complete 50 hours of CLE every five years. This must include at least five hours of legal ethics.

There are many ways to earn these hours, including attending conferences, seminars and workshops, taking NALA Campus Live courses, researching and writing articles in legal publications, and teaching or passing a NALA Advanced Specialty course.

Taking the Plunge

Studying for the CLA/CP examination requires a large time commitment, and some expense for the study materials, the examination fee and travel to the examination site and lodging. Will all this time and effort be worth it? The results are mixed on compensation.

NALA conducts a National Utilization and Compensation Study biannually. The results of the 2004 survey showed that average compensation for a non-CLA was $45,651, while the average compensation for a CLA was $47,331. The figures reported in Legal Assistant Today’s 14th Annual Salary Survey (see “Taking Off,†March/April 2006 LAT) show an average salary of $51,078 for all paralegals as compared to an average salary of $45,108 for CLAs.

For some, the CLA designation has translated into additional compensation, but money alone is not the major draw for a lot of CLAs. Many report feelings of personal satisfaction and accomplishment after successful completion of the examination. Others find it provides a tremendous boost to their self-esteem and added prestige at their jobs.

PACE Registered Paralegal: Recognizing Excellence in the Paralegal Profession

By Ann Price, RP

A relative newcomer, PACE was created when delegates from the member associations of NFPA voted to develop a voluntary, advanced-level competency exam. PACE was designed to establish a national standard of paralegal excellence for experienced paralegals and to test critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The resulting exam is neither state- nor practice-specific. Today, 11 years after its inception, there are more than 500 PACE Registered Paralegals in the United States . The most recent scoring run indicates a 63 percent pass rate.

PACE was created to provide a means for the general public and the legal community to evaluate paralegal expertise. If employers or clients see the designation “RP†after a paralegal’s name, they know that the paralegal has risen to a national standard of excellence, competence and experience, and passed a demanding national certification examination that tests basic legal principles and ethics and their practical application.

Exam Eligibility

PACE is not an entry-level certification exam. It’s an exam of advanced competency with strict eligibility guidelines. Candidates must submit applications, supported by college transcripts and affidavits attesting to the nature and duration of substantive paralegal work experience. Candidates also must meet character requirements. An independent testing agency reviews applications to ensure eligibility.

To be eligible to take PACE, a candidate must have one of the following:

a bachelor’s degree in any area of study (institutionally accredited or ABA approved) and three years of substantive paralegal experience;

a bachelor’s degree (institutionally accredited or ABA approved) plus completion of a paralegal program (the paralegal program can be included in the bachelor’s degree if applicable) and two years of substantive paralegal experience;

an associate’s degree in paralegal studies (institutionally accredited or ABA approved) and six years of sub­stantive paralegal experience; or

no degree and four years of substantive paralegal experience that must have been completed on or before Dec. 31, 2000 (grandfather clause).

PACE candidates don’t need to travel long distances or wait several months to take the exam. Approved candidates can schedule the location, date and time for their exam at their convenience, at any one of the more than 200 Prometric (formerly Thomsen Prometric and Sylvan Learning Centers) testing facilities. The convenience of the exam’s availability is one factor distinguishing it from other certification exams.

For NFPA members, the exam costs $225 plus a $25 application fee. For non-NFPA members, the exam costs $250 plus a $75 application fee.

Most of the exam fee covers the costs to administer the exam. NFPA procedures require that half of any profits are directed to the Foundation for the Advancement of the Paralegal Profession, an independent nonprofit foundation created to promote the paralegal profession. Although created by NFPA, the Foundation is separate from NFPA with its own independent board of directors.

Exam Makeup

PACE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have up to four hours to complete the exam, although most finish within two hours. PACE is computer based and taken under controlled testing conditions at a Prometric testing facility. Prometric centers are located in most major cities in the United States. They are accessible, and many large cities have multiple locations. Candidates are not allowed to take any personal items into the testing room, and examinations are videotaped to ensure there isn’t any wrongdoing. Preliminary test results are provided within minutes of completing the exam, although they will not be official until the test scores are validated in June and December of each year. The validation process includes a detailed review to analyze trends and identify potentially troublesome questions. One must know legal principles and have experience to succeed on PACE.

Areas that are tested throughout the exam include:

administration of client legal matters;

development of client legal matters;

factual and legal research;

factual and legal writing;

office administration;

technology; and

terminology.

A paralegal meeting the minimum criteria for the exam should be able to use logical thought processes, elimination of incorrect answers and their expertise in the basic legal principles to correctly answer the test questions.

NFPA has developed many study tools to assist candidates preparing for the exam. Even an experienced candidate should thoroughly review the PACE Study Manual published by NFPA (available at www.paralegals.org) prior to taking the exam. Each chapter includes sample test questions with detailed explanations of the logical process to deduce the correct response.

Examinees also should review other sources, including paralegal textbooks, seminar materials, flash cards and bar charts for law students, and para­legal journals such as The National Paralegal Reporter and Legal Assistant Today. In addition, NFPA offers a 50-question online practice exam that simulates test conditions.

NFPA encourages candidates to participate in a study group if possible. Study groups are organized at the local level, although NFPA can assist by providing sample guidelines, a sample syllabus and other information to help the study groups prepare for the exam. Study groups can be as formal or informal as the participants want. NFPA recommends that study groups meet at least once a week and follow the suggested syllabus over a seven- to eight-week period, although they can meet more often or less often. The group can be taught by members taking turns on the various study areas, or the group leader can solicit speakers from the legal community.

NFPA also encourages local member associations to designate an individual as a PACE Ambassador. The local PACE Ambassador can be an invaluable resource in linking candidates to RPs in their local areas, mentoring candidates, offering review courses and facilitating study groups. Many local PACE Ambassadors have developed their own study tools. For example, the National Capital Area Paralegal Association in Washington, D.C., has compiled notebooks of additional study materials, notes from prior study groups, articles from legal publications and more to help candidates prepare for the exam. Also, NCAPA has developed flash cards for legal terminology. Each association maintains its own resource materials in addition to the Study Manual. If you are not a member of a local paralegal association and would like to contact a PACE Ambassador in your area, you can contact NFPA headquarters at [email protected] or (425) 967-0045.

Study groups don’t work for all paralegals. Many find it impossible to study any other way but individually. Recognizing that study groups are not an option for many paralegals, NFPA partnered with the American Institute for Paralegal Studies to offer a seven-week, online study course for PACE. This review course includes mentoring, discussions, homework assignments and online lectures, and ultimately provides a structured form of study. It also encourages a disciplined approach to study that many paralegals find difficult to maintain if they study on their own. The online course is available to anyone with an Internet connection and can be accessed any time. Many RPs credit the course for their success on the exam. The review course is offered several times a year, and more information is available at www.paralegals.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=125.

After the Exam

RPs must meet CLE requirements, which include ethics training, to maintain their certification. RPs must renew their certification every two years and provide evidence of at least 12 hours of CLE (approved by the CLE coordinator on a case-by-case basis unless the CLE credits were obtained from a previously approved provider, e.g., bar associations, colleges and universities, etc.). At least one hour of CLE must be in ethics.

Making the Commitment

The single most important resource a PACE candidate can take into the test facility is the desire to become an RP. Making the commitment to take PACE is not something to be taken lightly or forced on anyone. The exam is voluntary, and candidates must be in the proper frame of mind to succeed. They must be confident of their skills and knowledge, but shouldn’t approach the exam in an overconfident manner either.

Why should a paralegal take PACE? The reasons are as varied as the 500 plus RPs who have passed the exam to date, but they generally fall into the following categories:

Career paralegals want to validate their expertise by taking a nationally recognized certification exam;

In the absence of regulation, or with regulation on the horizon, paralegals want to establish their own identifiable standards of professional excellence;

National certification provides a sense of professional accomplishment;

Certified paralegals can gain recog­nition and respect from peers;

Certified paralegals can enhance their marketability and stand apart from the rest of the uncertified paralegal workforce; and

Some employers offer higher salary levels or bonuses for certification.

There are many reasons why a paralegal might not want to take PACE, and indeed it’s not an exam for everyone. Many candidates don’t meet the education and experience criteria, or another national certification exam might be better suited to their background. Some paralegals might worry about how to fit studying for the exam into their schedule or be unsure of how exactly to study for the exam. And some paralegals resist taking the exam simply because of the fear of failure. No one, especially an experienced para­legal, likes to face the possibility of not passing a national competency exam. If you are a paralegal who is eligible for the exam but have some of these concerns, contact me or any future vice president and director of PACE at [email protected] . We might be able to help you work around some of these obstacles.

Paralegals who face their fears and pass the exam gain a huge sense of professional pride and accomplishment. They are authorized to use the trademarked phrase “PACE Registered Paralegal†or “RP.†Some RPs enjoy increased pay, promotions or new job opportunities. Some find themselves in positions of additional responsibility within their place of employment and take on leadership roles within the paralegal community. At a minimum, many new RPs note the increased peer recognition that comes almost instantly with the announcement of their certification.

One of the most important reasons to become an RP is that you want to become certified. Having a positive attitude is as critical to passing this exam as work experience and  study. There are many resources to help prepare for the exam. With proper preparation and the right motivation, it’s possible to pass PACE. For more information about PACE, please visit the NFPA Web site at www.paralegals.org and click on “PACE/RP.â€

When it comes to test time, if possible, find a place to stay near the exam site the night before the exam so you don’t have to rush in on the morning of the test. Allow yourself the luxury of being able to do some last minute review the night before without staying up late.

Here are some additional recommendations:

 Take vacation time the week before the test to prepare.

 Transcribe handwritten notes from study group classes and create flash cards for quick and easy review.

 Study a little at a time and don’t focus on the whole exam.

 Be prepared physically as well as mentally by getting plenty of sleep before the exam and eating well.

Stacey Hunt , CLA, CAS, is a freelance paralegal in the San Luis Obispo , Calif. , area. She is the co-author of “Hot Docs and Smoking Guns: Managing Document Production and Document Organization†(Clark, Board­man, Callaghan, 1994) and “The Successful Paralegal Job Search Guide†(West, 2000). Hunt taught legal writing and ethics for the para­legal studies program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo , and is a past president of the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations. She is working on a new book for Delmar Publishing on evidence management for paralegals, due out in July 2007.

Ann W. Price , RP, is the vice president and director of PACE and serves on the board of directors for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. She is employed as a litigation case manager in the Washington , D.C. , office of Patton Boggs. Prior to election to the national board, Price served as the assistant coordinator for PACE Ambassadors for three years and was the National Capital Area Paralegal Association’s PACE Ambassador for six years. She is a member of the International Paralegal Management Association, serving on the IPMA Task Force on Paralegal Utilization. Price received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Old Dominion University in Norfolk , Va. , and her para­legal certificate from Merritt College in Oakland , Calif.

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This is my very first paralegal post lmao. I am currently studying to be a paralegal after being a legal assistant for about a year (only did legal research, never drafted legal documents).

Currently on the topic of Discovery and I'm supposed to draft interrogatories as my homework assignment for the chapter. If my client wants to sue the HOSPITAL for negligence (not the doctor herself), who do I address in my interrogatories? What is the direction of questioning here? Cuz if I'm not addressing the Doctor, how do I go about questioning... the hospital? Not sure if my question made sense but it's basically like how is it different when suing an entity vs suing an individual?

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Legal Studies (Paralegal Studies) (A.S.)

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Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals (Aspen Paralegal) (Paperback)

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Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals emphasizes the skills and issues that paralegals encounter in practice. Thoroughly up-to-date, the Ninth Edition continues to combine clear text with visual aids, writing samples, tips, and pointers. Designed specifically for paralegal students, Deborah Bouchoux's classroom-tested approach teaches cutting-edge research skills, writing style, and proper citation form--to equip students with an essential skill set and well-founded confidence.

The author's logical and comprehensive approach enhances students' understanding. Part I covers Primary Authorities, Part II discusses Secondary Authorities, and Part III covers the basics of Legal Writing. In addition, Bouchoux integrates writing strategies into each research chapter to demonstrate the link between the two processes. Thorough coverage of electronic research includes chapters on both internet research and fee-based services. Bouchoux thoroughly explains proper citation form and the process of updating/validating legal authorities. The Legal Writing section includes samples of legal writing, such as letters, a court brief, and a legal memorandum.

New to the Ninth Edition:

• New "Sidebar" feature in all research chapters that provides quick tips showing how the material in that chapter applies to computer-assisted legal research systems, such as Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.
• Discussion of GovInfo, which provides free public access to official and authenticated publications from all three branches of the federal government.
• Coverage of new tools used for cite-checking, including EVA and Bestlaw.
• Discussion of Westlaw Edge, Westlaw's new research platform.
• Extensive new coverage of the increasing use of artificial intelligence in legal research and writing.
• Discussion of new sources that provide free public access to the law, including Harvard's Caselaw Access Project and CourtListener.
• New sections on preparing email letters and email memoranda, including assignments.
• All new Research Questions and Internet Legal Research Assignments have been included for each chapter.

Professors and students will benefit from:

• Pedagogy designed to enhance the accessibility of the material, including helpful charts and diagrams that synthesize complex topics, Practice Tips offering realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success, and Ethics Alerts in every chapter.
• Targeted and ample exercises help students learn how to use a wide range of research sources.
• Charts and practice tips, updated for this edition, that help students apply what they have learned.
• Tips on how to effectively use electronic resources are included throughout the text.
• Conscientious revision ensures that the book has the most up-to-date material, presented in a readable and accessible format.
• Legal Writing
• Paralegals & Paralegalism

PARL: Paralegal Studies: Homework Help & More

• Books to Borrow
• Reference Books
• Westlaw Help
• Periodicals
• Evaluating the Quality of Information
• Understanding Legal Citations
• Help with Briefs
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Citing Sources in APA Format
• Citing Sources in MLA Format
• Citing Sources in Chicago Style
• Citing AI-Generated Content

Constitutional Law & U.S. Supreme Court Cases

Legal Research Toolbox

1) How do laws get passed in Pennsylvania?  In Pennsylvania's legislative process, what's the differenc e between a bill and an act ? For the answer to this question, and a basic overview of how the General Assembly works, read this pamphlet from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Making Law: Pennsylvania .

2) How can I find the calendar date when a law was passed in the Pennsylvania General Assembly?  It is not always possible to find the calendar  date when a state statute is current when searching in Westlaw .   Once you have located the document, click the link directly below the citation that says " Currentness ." This will send you to the bottom of the page, where you will often see only the number of the act most recently passed by the General Assembly, but not the actual date when it passed (in Westlaw, it looks like this: Current through Regular Session Act 2013-72 ). To find out when a particular act was passed, go to the " Legislation Enacted " page of the General Assembly's web site, then use the search feature to find the act number for the appropriate year. This will show you the actual date the act was passed.

3) How can I find the calendar date when a law was passed in the U.S. Congress?    The process for finding the date when a federal statute is current  is similar to using state documents. First, search for the citation or title of the document in Westlaw. Directly below the citation at the top of the document, click the link that says " Currentness ." This will send you to the bottom of the page, where you will see the most recent Public Law that was passed when the statute was current (in Westlaw , it looks like this:  Current through P.L. 114-219 ).  Then go to www.Congress.gov and browse through the list of public laws passed during the relevant session of Congress. For example, the 115th Congress convened in the years 2017-2018, so the public laws beginning with "P.L. 115" would have been passed during that session. The list on the Congress.gov website will show you the exact calendar date that the bill became law. 

4) What do all of these abbreviations mean?   You will encounter hundreds of abbreviations for the titles of legal materials , especially while using Westlaw . For help in decoding abbreviations commonly used in Pennsylvania, try the Pennsylvania Legislator's Municipal Deskbook . You can also use NCC Library's list of titles you'll see often in Westlaw   (see PDF document, below).

• Abbreviations for Legal Publications

What's that acronym?

A = Application

C = Conclusion

FAQ: Legal Resources

• West's Pennsylvania Digest 2d
• Where is the Pennsylvania Constitution?
• Title Numbers Missing From Pennsylvania Statutes
• New Title Added to U.S. Code!
• Why is there no Title 53 in the U.S. Code?

If you're looking for the publication  West's Pennsylvania Digest 2d ,  please be advised that it is  not  able to be searched directly in the Westlaw database. It is part of the West Key Number System, where it is combined with digests from other states, and cannot be searched on its own.

To answer homework questions using  West's Pennsylvania Digest 2d , you must go to the Northampton or Lehigh County law libraries and use the print books.

The  Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  can be located in print at the end of the  Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes  set (use the General Index to find specific topics). The Constitution is also available on the  Westlaw  database, in the "State Materials" section, under "Statutes & Court Rules." You may also read it at the  Pennsylvania General Assembly  website.

Please be advised that as of January 2002,  Titles 19 and 76  of the Pennsylvania Statutes are not in current use. This includes the unofficial version,  Purdon's Pennsylvania Statutes Annotated . This is why there are no volumes for Title 19 or 76 on the shelf!

A new Title has been added to the  United States Code  (and, of course, the  U.S. Code Annotated ).  Title 34  covers  Crime Control & Law Enforcement , and contains information that has been moved from a number of other locations in the Code, such as Titles 18, 28, and 42. For more details about this reorganization, visit the U.S.  Office of the Law Revision Counsel  website. You can also browse the contents of the new Title 34 by using the  Westlaw  database. 

When you browse through the print volumes of the  U.S. Code Annotated  (USCA), you may notice there is no book for Title 53. The books skip from Title 52 to Title 54! You'll see the same thing when you browse through the  USCA  table of contents in the  Westlaw  database. Why?

According to the  Office of the Law Revision Counsel , which is part of the U.S. House of Representatives,  Title 53 is reserved  at the moment. This means that the title number "53" may be assigned to a new category of information added to the  U.S. Code  in the future. Stay tuned!

Other Libraries

To use legal research materials that are not available at NCC, students in the Paralegal Studies program are encouraged to visit the Northampton County Law Library , located in Easton. The Law Library is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the County Law Librarian, phone 610-559-6751.

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• Last Updated: Jul 18, 2024 5:59 PM
• URL: https://libguides.northampton.edu/Paralegal

Established in 1980, the  Idaho Association of Paralegals, Inc.   is an organization formed to promote the paralegal profession by:

• Encouraging a high order of ethical attainment among its members;
• Facilitating networking opportunities among its members;
• Sponsoring continuing legal education in a variety of formats;
• Promoting goodwill and cooperation with local bar associations; Networking with regional and national paralegal associations on professional issues;
• Addressing statewide issues through membership in the Idaho Alliance of Paralegal Associations

Benefits of Membership

• Continuing Education
• Fundraisers
• Bi-monthly Newsletter
• Membership Directory

Standards for Membership

• 6-point Membership Criteria
• 6 Hours of Continuing Legal Education Required Annually

Idaho State Bar Association

In 1994, IAP worked successfully with the Idaho State Bar Association in adopting the American Bar Association’s definition of a paralegal and model utilization guidelines (ISB Deskbook).   The ABA defines a paralegal as:

  A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Idaho Association of Paralegal Members

• Served as adjunct faculty for the Boise State University Paralegal Studies Program.
• Served on the Advisory Board of the Boise State University Paralegal Studies Program.
• Serve as faculty for nationally sponsored educational seminars.
• Serve as mentors to aspiring paralegals.

Membership Statistics

Work Sectors

• 51% Private Law Firms
• 39% Corporations
• 9% Government

Credentials

• 73% hold Bachelors Degree or higher
• 59% hold Paralegal Certificate

What’s New:

• 2023-2024 Board
• Check the Job Bank
• Membership Form
• IAP By-Laws

The  Idaho Association of Paralegals wishes to thank you for taking the time to visit our website!

The Association recently celebrated 40 years as an organization in Idaho, with its primary mission to promote excellence in our field. We strive to provide opportunities for continuing legal education and volunteer work in the local community, and our members work in a wide capacity across areas of government, corporate entities, and private firms.

For more information about the Association, membership or to inquire about opportunities to attend or present at one of its continuing legal education events please contact the Association through one of its officers or members.

For more information contact:

Idaho Association of Paralegals, Inc. P. O. Box 1254 Boise, I daho   83701

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