NCJ Number
54881
Date Published
1974
Length
72 pages
Annotation
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S (ABA) SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LEGAL ASSISTANTS CONFERENCE ARE PRESENTED. THE COMMITTEE SELECTED GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF LEGAL ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO STUDY THE FOLLOWING: (1) THE TASKS WHICH COULD BE PERFORMED BY LEGAL ASSISTANTS, (2) THE NATURE OF TRAINING REQUIRED FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS, (3) THE ROLE TO BE PLAYED BY THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS IN PROVIDING SUCH TRAINING, (4) THE DESIRABILITY OF RECOGNIZING THE COMPETENCE AND PROFICIENCY OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS, AND (5) APPROPRIATE METHODS FOR DEVELOPING, ENCOURAGING, AND INCREASING THE TRAINING AND USE OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS. CONFERENCE SPEECHES AND WORKSHOPS CONCENTRATE ON TRAINING, PROGRAM PLACEMENT OF PARALEGALS, ADMISSIONS TO LEGAL ASSISTANTS TRAINING PROGRAMS, ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH PROGRAMS, ABA CRITERIA FOR APPROVING TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION AND SELF-REPORTING. PARALEGAL PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE AN INTRODUCTORY OR SURVEY COURSE ON THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAW, THE COURT SYSTEM, AND BASIC TORT AND CONTRACT LAW, COURSES IN INTERVIEWING, LEGAL RESEARCH, AND WRITING, AND PERHAPS OFFER AN INTERNSHIP. A LEGAL ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM CAN SEEK ABA APPROVAL AFTER 2 YEARS OF FULL OPERATION. THE PARENT INSTITUTION MUST PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM, MAINTAIN EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, AND PRESENT A PROGRAM AT THE POSTSECONDARY INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL CONSISTING OF AT LEAST 60 SEMESTER HOURS. OTHER GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED AS WELL AS INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELF-EVALUATION--A PROCESS NECESSARY FOR ABA APPROVAL. (DAG)