Paralegal

Paralegals enjoy exciting careers in a variety of legal settings. Many are employed by law firms, but paralegals also work for banks, hospitals and health care organizations, real estate companies and corporations.

Possible careers:

• Paralegal supervisor
• Trust coordinator
• Title searcher
• Settlement clerk
• Litigation specialist
• Contract coordinator

Paralegals can also transfer their legal skills to other departments, such as human resources, records management, legal support and government. Our graduates work for many Lehigh Valley law firms, as well as companies like PPL Corp. and Clear Channel Outdoor.

Both of LCCC’s programs are approved by the American Bar Association:

Paralegal Studies A.A.S.
An associate degree program dedicated to training paralegals to perform effectively in a variety of legal settings, as well as adapt to changes in the legal environment and law practice. The program prepares students to work under the supervision of lawyers in either the public or private sectors, as well as encouraging graduates to pursue advanced degrees. Through an exclusive agreement with Kutztown University, LCCC’s Paralegal Studies graduates may transfer to Kutztown to major in English, political science, public administration, criminal justice, history or psychology.

Paralegal Studies Certificate
This certificate program is designed for students who already possess some college credits and are interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal.

LCCC also consults with a Paralegal Advisory Committee comprised of lawyers and paralegals from several Lehigh Valley law firms. These professionals provide regular input on LCCC’s program offerings.

What is a paralegal?

A paralegal is a person qualified through education, training or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.

Students will gain an understanding of what paralegals can accomplish, as well as the limitations imposed by the unauthorized practice of law statute. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.