Legal Studies Program
What will I learn?
Paralegals work under the supervision of attorneys to research and prepare for trials/hearings, interview clients, draft legal documents and provide administrative duties.
LCCC's program prepares students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary for them to perform successfully and ethically as paralegals.
Paralegals or legal assistants are "persons who, although not members of the legal profession, are qualified through education, training, or work experience, who are employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the ultimate direction and supervision of an attorney, of specifically delegated substantive legal work, which work, for the most part, requires a sufficient knowledge of legal concepts that, absent that paralegal, the attorney would perform the task." (Definition provided by the American Bar Association.)
As such, paralegals are not allowed to practice law. In Wyoming it is illegal for anyone who is not a licensed attorney to practice law. The practice of law refers to the rendition of services for others that call for the professional judgment of a lawyer. Therefore, nonlawyers may not, at a minimum, represent others in court, draft legal documents for someone, or give someone legal advice.
The paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association.
Students who are interested in the Legal Studies Program at LCCC can choose from two options:
Associate of Applied Science
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to perform legal research in a variety of fields using both traditional and computer-assisted methods; to draft pleadings, discovery and other legal documents, legal correspondence, and legal memoranda; to demonstrate substantive knowledge of at least three areas of practice; to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical rules governing both attorneys and paralegals in the jurisdiction; and to demonstrate the analytical and judgmental abilities necessary for ethical decision-making in a legal environment.
Program objectives include providing students with appropriate general education to meet state statutory requirements and to develop the student's communication, quantitative, analytical, and technological skills; preparing students to perform legal and factual research using traditional and computer-assisted methods; preparing students to draft a variety of legal documents and correspondence; preparing students to effectively interview clients and witnesses; providing students with an understanding of the evolving paralegal field and career opportunities within that field; providing students with the skills needed to assist an attorney with the investigation and litigation process; providing students with an understanding of the legal system and the modern practice of law; and providing students with an understanding of the ethical rules governing the practice of law and the behaviors and judgment necessary to perform paralegal duties in a manner ethically consistent with those rules.
It is the policy of the Legal Studies Program at Laramie County Community College that students may transfer no more than six (6) semester hours of legal specialty courses from another institution's program and that program must be approved by the American Bar Association. At this time, LCCC's Legal Studies Program does not award legal specialty credit by examination.
Majors must be careful to check with the advisor before enrolling for general education courses since some additional course work may be required.
Available online.
Certificate of Completion
The certificate program is reserved for individuals who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another discipline and now desire to work as a paralegal.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to perform legal research in a variety of fields using both traditional and computer-assisted methods; to draft pleadings, discovery and other legal documents, legal correspondence, and legal memoranda; to demonstrate substantive knowledge of at least three areas of practice; to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical rules governing both attorneys and paralegals in the jurisdiction; and to demonstrate the analytical and judgmental abilities necessary for ethical decision-making in a legal environment.
Program objectives include providing students with appropriate general education to meet state statutory requirements and to develop the student's communication, quantitative, analytical, and technological skills; preparing students to perform legal and factual research using traditional and computer-assisted methods; preparing students to draft a variety of legal documents and correspondence; preparing students to effectively interview clients and witnesses; providing students with an understanding of the evolving paralegal field and career opportunities within that field; providing students with the skills needed to assist an attorney with the investigation and litigation process; providing students with an understanding of the legal system and the modern practice of law; and providing students with an understanding of the ethical rules governing the practice of law and the behaviors and judgment necessary to perform paralegal duties in a manner ethically consistent with those rules.
It is the policy of the Legal Studies Program at Laramie County Community College that students may transfer no more than six (6) semester hours of legal specialty courses from another institution's program and that program must be approved by the American Bar Association. At this time, LCCC's Legal Studies Program does not award legal specialty credit by examination.
Available online.
What can I do with this degree?
Graduates may work as
Visit Career Coach for additional information about Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Visit Career Coach for additional information about Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants.
Visit LCCC's Career Resources to find tools for selecting the right program for you and marketing yourself to future employers.
Cost of Attendance
For general college expenses, students should view LCCC’s cost of attendance. Additional estimated expenses for the programs are: class/lab fees = $250 - $350.