News
Here's where to start in the legal field
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006
If you are interested in a career in the legal profession, North Seattle Community College can get you started. The college has introduced a new program in that will help meet a growing, urgent need for competent, skilled legal secretaries and assistants and opening the door to other positions.
The first of its kind to be offered in Seattle, the college’s new Legal Administrative Assistant certificate was created in response to the expected growing demand for legal secretaries and legal assistants. The mean entry wage for these positions is $34,382.
The three-quarter program, which begins this fall, is designed to prepare employees for positions in a law office, for-profit business, government agency, and public service organization. Enrollment is still open for the fall quarter.
“It is suitable for students right out of high school, as well as people who want to seek a new career or update or enhance their skills in their present career,” noted Patricia Cheadle, dean of business, electronic and information technologies. “This program is designed to provide an entry way for further education leading to such positions as court clerks, court reporters, paralegals, or attorneys.”
Added Cheadle, “We were able to develop this program by working closely with such organizations and companies as Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Court, State Attorney General's Office, City of Seattle, Heller Ehrman Law Offices, Miller Nash Law Offices, and Washington Mutual, and many law firms, in and around the Puget Sound, most of which have indicated an interest in supporting internships for our students.”
Legal administrative assistants prepare correspondence and legal papers, including summons, complaints, motions, responses, and subpoenas, under the guidance of professional staff. They also assist with general word processing, filing, reception, and general office duties. Other aspects of this work include transcribing correspondence, pleadings, documents and other forms used in limitation.
The courses will cover such areas as communication, civil procedures, business math, and fundamentals of law, business ethics, legal office procedures, and legal research. Part of the program will include actual on-the-job experience.
For more information, call the Business, Engineering, and Information Technologies Division at 527-3730.
© 2003—2009