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Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies Mission Statement

St. Mary-of-the-Woods College’s Paralegal Program aims to set the standard of excellence in liberal arts-based, career-oriented education that is both academically and technologically progressive within a personal, supportive, environment.  To achieve its educational mission, the Paralegal Program provides for the study of and exchange of ideas and for the acquisition of career skills so that students think and communicate with greater awareness of themselves and others, gain valuable tools for employment, and develop resources for future opportunities. 

American Association for Paralegal Education

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been an Institutional Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) continuously since 1989. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

  1. Apply knowledge of specific areas of substantive law (for example, civil law, criminal law, property law, contracts, etc.) to the resolution of factual situations.
  2. Analyze a legal problem and identify and evaluate alternative legal solutions.
  3. Produce effective written legal communications, including memoranda, pleadings, and discovery documents.
  4. Use both print and electronic sources of law to locate applicable sources of authority, and to update sources of law.
  5. Properly cite legal authorities used.
  6. Possess the knowledge and skills to understand the paralegal profession and obtain entry-level employment.

Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)

Each state defines and regulates the practice of law within its jurisdiction, usually through state Supreme Court rules.  In addition to the criminal sanctions for practicing law without a license, some states may make civil remedies available to a client who has been fraudulently represented by a person who is not a licensed attorney.  Each state charges an ethics committee with implementing the practice rules and with the administration of professional disciplines.  Although the responsible agency may differ from state to state, there is uniformity among the states in providing some type of student practice rules, rules for professional responsibility and regulation of licensed attorneys, and for criminal sanctions for the unauthorized practice of law (UPL).

All states have general statutes which limit the practice of law to licensed attorneys.  The way each state defines UPL, if it is defined at all, differs greatly.  UPL laws are open to interpretation by the courts and each jurisdiction differs in its activities and interpretations.  Generally, the practice of law has been recognized to include:

  • Accepting cases from a client;
  • Setting fees;
  • Giving legal advice, thereby rendering independent legal judgement on behalf of a client;
  • Preparing or signing legal documents; and
  • Appearing in a representative capacity before a court of other adjudicatory body.
  • You will need to be familiar with the UPL rules and regulations for the state within which you are working.

Law School

There is no specific course of study that will ensure acceptance into law school.  Law schools accept students from all traditional college majors, as long as the student has a bachelor’s degree.  Each law school has its own criteria for admission.  The common admission criteria for all law schools are grade point average (GPA), LSAT scores, letters of recommendation, work experience, and state of residency.  Other criteria are also considered, such as extracurricular activities and the required personal essay. 

Admission committees at law schools are usually impressed with applicants who can demonstrate that their thinking and reasoning skills have been challenged in a diverse curriculum that emphasizes writing, speaking, synthesizing analyzing, advocating and negotiating.  A broad liberal arts curriculum provides these skills.