Paralegal

1. Paralegal At Minnesota State University Moorhead

2. What are Paralegals • Legal Assistant • Assist lawyers in variety of cases and settings • Perform many tasks lawyers do • Conduct legal research, draft legal pleadings and documents, meet with clients, and gather and organize info.

3. Where Will I Work • Wherever lawyers work • Majority work in private law firms • Also employed by government offices, businesses, nonprofit advocacy organizations, court offices, etc.

4. Employment Outlook • Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment to grow 28% between 2008-2018 • Much faster than average for all occupations • Average salary in 2009: • $54,859 • Plus average bonus $3,717

5. Bureau of Labor and Statistics • “Employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.”

6. “As the delivery of legal services becomes more complex and competitive, paralegal roles are expanding. Sophisticated, cost-conscious clients are demanding efficient, effective legal services, prompting increased and expanded use of paralegals in lieu of more expensive staff such as associates and partners” From the professional journal Legal Assistant Today, 2009

7. Benefits • Bachelor’s degree in paralegal one of only a few in upper Midwest • Greatly preferred over associates degree or shorter program • Program is well regarded by legal community • Employer’s consistently hire graduates

8. American Bar Association • Approved by ABA • Appealing to potential employers • 1 of 74 nationwide • Only 4 year, ABA-approved paralegal degree in a 250 mile radius • No other comparable degree in ND or SD • 1 of only 2 public university degrees in MN

9. Benefits • Required internship provides valuable practical experience • Paralegal majors are actively involved in volunteer services in the community • Offer several night courses every semester and classes throughout the day

10. Comments from internship attorneys: • “Did an excellent job and we are very satisfied and impressed with the excellent candidates that are produced from the MSUM Paralegal Department.” • “We would welcome more interns or people looking for work.”

11. What Classes Will I Take • Paralegal curriculum combines substantive law with practical application of those principles. • Strong written communication skills: • Critical in the legal field • Emphasized throughout curriculum

12. Core Classes • All paralegal majors required to take 12 core paralegal courses (37 credits) • All majors at MSUM also required to take 42 Liberal Arts and Science Curriculum credits

13. Graduation Requirements • Need 120 total credits to graduate • 52 in Paralegal • 42 Liberal Arts & Science Curriculum • Plus any other electives you choose

14. Core Classes • Intro to Paralegal • Legal Research & Writing I • Legal Research & Writing II • Civil Procedure I • Family Law • Interviewing • Evidence • Legal Ethics • Advanced Legal Research & Writing • Internship • Principles of Accounting I • Legal Environment of Business

15. Areas of Emphasis • There are three areas of emphasis • Elder Law & Probate • Litigation • Commercial Law • All paralegal majors required to complete at least one area of emphasis • Four classes in each area @ 3 credits a class = 12 credits per emphasis • Required to take at least 3 credits from one other area as well

16. Area of Emphasis • Elder Law & Probate • Real Property Law • Probate & Estate Planning • Estate, Gift and Trust Taxation • Elder Law

17. Area of Emphasis • Litigation • Public Benefits • Civil Procedure II • Personal Injury • Criminal Litigation

18. Area of Emphasis • Commercial Law • Debtor-Creditor/Bankruptcy • Commercial Transactions, Property & Special Topics • Employment Law • Contracts & Business Entities

19. What if I Want to go to Law School • Paralegal degree is intended to prepare students to work as professional paralegals • Excellent undergraduate preparation for law school • MSUM paralegal graduates consistently attribute their success to MSUM’s excellent paralegal curriculum

20. Comments from Grads in Law School: • “We both got A’s in our Legal Skills class and we decided we owe it all to you.” • “Keep working your students, hopefully in a few years I will be contacting you to hire a few of your finest.”

21. Curriculum • Provides students with in-depth knowledge in a variety of legal topics • Responsive to trends and demands of legal profession • Designed to prepare students to “hit the ground running” in paralegal career or law school/grad school

22. Faculty • Three full-time faculty • Have terminal degrees • Have in-depth experience in real-world legal settings • Dedicated • Caring • Knowledgeable • Hard-working

23. Deborah Kukowski • Department Chair • Joined Department in 1996 • Legal services for the poor, elderly and disadvantaged with concentration in: • Poverty law, elder law, housing law, public benefits and family law

25. Judy Streich • Joined department in 1989 • Private practice experience in: • family law, criminal prosecution, estate planning and tax law • Tax Manager with EideBailly • Legal research & writing professor for 21 years

27. Tracy Gompf • Joined department in January 2007 • Private practice for over 10 years with experience in: • Criminal defense, personal injury, business, family law, class action litigation • Former Cass County Public Defender

29. High Ratings Nearly 100% of graduates felt department had prepared them “very well”or “well” 83% of student senior survey respondents “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that paralegal faculty was helpful in guidance, support, preparation, and encouragement

31. MSPAMMinnesota State Paralegal Association of Moorhead • Student group • Emphasize community service • Fundraise • Involved in legal community • Runner positions • Internships • Part-time positions

32. Rape & Abuse Crisis Center Annual Toy Drive Barnes & Noble Bookfair Relay for Life

33. MSPAM fun

34. MSPAM Officers2011-2012

35. What Do Our Graduates Say? " The program was great preparation for my career. The professors are excellent, approachable, and always willing to help. The classes gave me real-world experience that I still use every day." Stephanie Landstrom Paralegal Vogel Law Firm (largest firm in northwest Minnesota/North Dakota)

36. “The paralegal program was invaluable in preparing me for law school. The base of knowledge gained at MSUM enhanced my law school experience, and I would recommend the program for anyone contemplating law school.” Nola (Kohler) McNeally Attorney

37. “I graduated from MSUM’s paralegal program in the first graduating class in 1985. I have worked as a litigation paralegal for the last 20 years. The foundation I received in the program has been crucial in my career success.” James P. Larson Paralegal Hughes Hubbard & Reed (New York-based law firm with offices in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Paris, and Tokyo)

38. Why Our Paralegal Degree…

39. A 4-year degree is the hiring standard in many markets • Downturn in economy has increased demand for paralegals • Excellent preparation for law school

40. Welcome to MSUM and get ready to embark on an exciting and challenging path to your legal career! For more information or if you have questions please contact one of our friendly and helpful faculty.