What is a Paralegal
There is a growing demand for paralegals in the law profession. A paralegal is trained to work under the general supervision of a lawyer, performing tasks which traditionally have been performed by lawyers. The responsibilities of the paralegal are professional and distinct from routine clerical duties. In the performance of these various tasks, the paralegal, lawyer and clerical staff provide increased efficiency in the delivery of legal services to the client. The paralegal may interview clients, research legal issues, prepare documents and assist in litigation, allowing the supervising lawyer to provide quality representation at lower cost to the client.
Career-Aligned Education
At OU Law, we go beyond class requirements. We provide knowledge directly relevant to your career goals, ensuring practical and valuable learning.
Students currently working as a legal assistant at a law firm will begin to notice the material from the lectures and homework coincides with their job… For those not currently working as a legal assistant, these classes will prepare them and give them more confidence when applying to and interviewing for jobs. Having this type of background knowledge in the legal field helps students stand out in a pool of applicants.
Understanding the Paralegal Pathway
Paralegal Roles
Paralegals perform a variety of crucial tasks to support attorneys, including:
- Legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Interviewing clients
- Organizing case files
- Preparing for trials
Paralegals cannot give legal advice, accept cases, set legal fees, represent clients in court or perform any legal service without the supervision of a licensed lawyer.
Your Opportunities
Our curriculum stresses understanding and reasoning rather than memorizing facts. Upon graduation, you will be qualified to work with lawyers in:
- The public sector
- Private law practices
- The judiciary
- Corporations
- Government