This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the role of the paralegal in private law firms, corporations, government offices, and nonprofit organizations.  Topics include billing, the Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions, regulation of the profession, and voluntary testing.  The student has an opportunity to meet practicing paralegals who represent a wide spectrum of the local legal community.

The student will also study the American Bar Association (ABA) code of ethics, the California Rules of Professional Conduct, the National Association of Legal Assistants guidelines, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations guidelines.  Emphasis is placed on defining the unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, fee arrangements, and professional responsibilities of the legal profession in general, particularly as they relate to paralegals.