by Alex Serena
Staff Writer
Last month, the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, acting on a recommendation of the Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, granted approval to the legal studies program at the University of La Verne.
The Legal Studies Program, formerly called the Paralegal Studies Program, changed its name in 2001 following recommendations from the ABA. The program also revised the curriculum and instituted changes, which resulted in the Bar Association’s approval in the program’s 30th year of existence.
The term of approval is seven years; it began February and ends in 2009.
Vitonio San Juan, program chairman, said that the ABA’s approval was achieved “first and foremost through the leadership and support of President Stephen Morgan. President Morgan’s vision and support were invaluable. Along with the help we received from Vice President Phil Hawkey and Provost Richard McDowell, we knew that we would get ABA approval.”
ULV is one of two Southern California schools that offer a bachelor’s degree for paralegal students. San Juan said: “according to the winter 2002 issue of the ABA SCOLA update, there are 1,000 paralegal programs throughout the country; 252 are ABA approved. In California there are some 25 ABA approved programs. Ours is one of them.”
A paralegal or legal assistant performs many of the same tasks attorneys do, such as taking depositions and conducting independent research. However, they are prohibited from practicing law. Paralegals work directly under the supervision of a licensed attorney and assist them in the delivering legal services.
San Juan added that he felt the bachelor of science in legal studies is an excellent choice for students who want to become legal assistants or are thinking about graduate and law school.
Paralegals must either be certified by a paralegal program, approved by the ABA or have completed a degree in a post secondary institution accredited by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education.
“There are new provisions in the California Business and Professions Code that make education even more important. The bachelor’s degree or certificate would be ideal for someone who wants to learn about the law; both the theoretical and the practical,” said San Juan.
Job opportunities for paralegals are increasing, according to a Dec. 2001 article in the Los Angeles Times.
“Private law firms in Los Angeles will continue to utilize the services of paralegals; opportunities for paralegals nationwide are expected to increase 33 percent by 2010, according to the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics,” the article said.
The Legal Studies Program is part of the School of Public Affairs and Health Administration. For more information, call extension 4410.
