By Professor William Dixon
First and foremost, a paralegal is a trained professional. The work is interesting, varied, and important. People’s lives and property may depend upon the work done by a paralegal. You will have opportunity to help people through some of the most difficult periods of their lives, such as divorce and child custody, financial difficulties, personal injury, criminal prosecution or defense, business transactions, and matters involving business and personal assets.
A qualified paralegal is a valuable and trusted member of a legal team headed by an attorney. The team may include secretaries, investigators, paralegals, and other experts. Paralegals draft legal documents, prepare trial books, conduct legal research and obtain the facts of a case.
Paralegals talk with clients, witnesses, insurance adjusters, and other parties. Paralegals work in private law offices, corporate legal departments, and government offices, such as the public defender, district attorney and county counsel. They work in offices and regulatory agencies at all levels of government. Every day in the life of a paralegal involves new experiences, new challenges, and new rewards.
At South Coast College, you will be prepared in a variety of areas because of the extensive curriculum and the attorney instructors who are experts in their respective fields who teach in our Paralegal Program.
