Paralegal Professional

PURPOSE
The Paralegal Professional credential documents the essential competencies the numerous tasks required of paralegals and legal assistants in their assistance to and support of legal professionals.

AUDIENCE
This credential is appropriate for a paralegals and legal assistants as well as legal secretaries and administrative assistants working in law offices or law departments of businesses and corporations. 

JOB/CAREER REQUIREMENTS
Paralegals and legal assistants assist and support lawyers by maintaining and organizing documents and files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents for the attorney’s review. They must understand how to perform the various tasks including how to maintain confidentiality for clients and adhere to ethical standards. They must also fully understand the U.S. court systems, the criminal process and civil litigation, the civil legal process, and administrative law depending upon the type of law cases involved.  

PARALEGAL PROFESSIONAL WORKPLACE TASKS:

• Paralegals and legal assistants investigate the facts of a case. 
• Paralegals and legal assistants conduct research on relevant laws, regulations, and legal articles.
• Paralegals and legal assistants organize and maintain documents 
• Paralegals and legal assistants gather and organize evidence, legal documents, and other materials for the attorney in preparation for a case. 
• Paralegals and legal assistants write reports for lawyers in preparation for a trial. 
• Paralegals and legal assistants write correspondence and legal documents for attorney review.
• Paralegals and legal assistants obtain affidavits and other formal statements that are used in court.
• Paralegals and legal assistants assist attorneys during a trial by handling exhibits, taking notes, and review the trial transcripts. 
• Paralegals and legal assistants assist attorneys in organizing billing to clients and client trust accounts.
• Paralegals and legal assistants file exhibits, briefs, appeals, and other legal documents with the court and opposing counsel. 
• Paralegals and legal assistants call clients, witnesses, lawyers, and outside vendors to schedule meetings, interviews, and depositions

EXAM STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Number of Questions in Exam: 120
Time Limit for Exam Parts:

• The Paralegal Profession: 176 items 
• US Law Concepts: 224 items 

Total Time: 120 minutes
Overall Passing Score: 70%
(All sections require an individual passing score of 70%)