Paralegal Students (Expectations)

Overview

Paralegal students are expected to be ready to engage in field training with respect to their professional development. Field training means learning the methods needed to file and respond to various civil, and administrative proceedings. The focus of field training is learning specific methodologies needed to engage in the provision of legal services.

Paralegal students who start out in placements are already expected to be able to demonstrate the following core skills

• Digest a fact situation given by the placement supervisor or a client and be able
  • to identify the legal issues at play,
  • research and locate the leading caselaw on the legal issues,
  • identify the most appropriate adjudicative body to resolve the issues at play
  • locate the rules of procedure for the appropriate adjudicative body
  • Identify the relevant statutes that influence the outcome of an adjudicated resolution.
  • Identify available remedies that are possible through the relevant adjudicative body.

What students can expect from a placement host:

• Instruction on the process of client management, including guidance on a standard client life cycle.
• Instruction on best practices for case preparation and presentation before an adjudicative body.
• Instruction on best practices for legal research and legal writing.
• Instruction on best practices for client and witness interview methodologies.
• An opportunity to observe live hearings.