Legal Assistant, A.A.S.

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Paralegals (legal assistants) are employed by lawyers to assist with daily operations in the law office. Duties may include researching law, investigating facts, interviewing witnesses, preparing documents, managing case files, and preparing cases for settlement or litigation. Paralegals may also be called upon to file and check pleadings and other documents with the courts or other government offices. Paralegal employment is a growing field within the State of New Mexico, as well as other states.

This degree program is approved as a Navajo Nation Bar Association Advocacy Training Program.

Note: A student must earn a C or higher in all courses designated with an asterisk (*) within the program to count toward the degree.

General Education Requirements

ENGL-111 Freshman Composition 3 cr.
ENGL-218 Advanced Technical Composition 3 cr. OR
ENGL-211 Advanced Composition 3 cr.
COMM-111 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
MATH-130 Conceptual Mathematics 3 cr. OR Higher
Humanities/Fine Arts & Social/Behavioral Science 3 cr.

Total General Education Requirements: 15

Required Courses

LEAS-120 Introduction for Paralegals 3 cr. *
LEAS-121 American Law for Paralegals 3 cr. *
PSYC-120 Introduction to Psychology 3 cr. OR
SOCI-110 Introduction to Sociology 3 cr.
LEAS-127 Contract Law 3 cr. *
LEAS-122 Torts - Practice and Pleading 3 cr. *
LEAS-123 Legal Research and Writing 3 cr. *
LEAS-126 Criminal Law 3 cr. *
COSC-125 Business Microcomputer Applications 3 cr.
LEAS-124 Civil Litigation 3 cr. *
LEAS-125 Wills, Probate and Estates 3 cr. *
LEAS-221 Family Law 3 cr. *
LEAS-128 Evidence 3 cr. *
FINA-132 Personal Financial Planning 3 cr. *
LEAS-225 American Indian Law 3 cr. *
LEAS-231 Business Organization Law 3 cr. *
LEAS-219 Trial Advocacy 3 cr. *
LEAS-280 Cooperative Education 3 cr. *

Total Credit: 66-67

Note(s):

Unless otherwise indicated, each continuing legal assistant education course will be offered on demand, which means that a sufficient number of students must contact the paralegal program director ahead of time to ensure that the course will be offered. These courses will meet the continuing education requirement for legal assistants who are associate members of the New Mexico Bar Association, Paralegal Division, and for legal assistants who have been certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).