MODULE 1 JONELL SEGADOR GREGORIO INSTRUCTOR

A special kind of person who provides very important office administrative assistance to the lawyer for whom he/she works. One who works for one or more lawyers or legal counsel An important member in the law office team

Lawyers, associate lawyers, law clerks Receptionists, calendar clerks, file clerks, account clerks, stenographers, librarians, legal researchers, legal secretaries, and LEGAL OFFICE ASSISTANT

As a member of the law office team, a legal assistant is expected to assume responsibility in assisting the lawyers for the office management of the legal office There is a challenging opportunity for you as legal assistant to advance to a position of considerable responsibility if you are willing to continue learning.

A small office is composed of one lawyer, the atmosphere is less formal, with greater client contact Opportunity to do some legal office assistant work or act as a legal office manager Work in courts and conduct legal researcher in libraries Must be proficient in typing, computer operation, dictation, transcription, and knowledge of legal office procedure Must be well-rounded; can function as accounting clerk, file clerk, clerk of court, legal researcher, etc.

Composed of 2 or more lawyers whose work may be highly specialized Spend most of the time assisting the lawyers in preparing legal documents Opportunity for advancement to positions of greater responsibility Chance to pursue law studies at night, while working during the day

You may work in the Legal Dept. Of a large corporation You will have benefits like insurance coverage, health plans You will be assigned to assist one or two attorneys, where you can learn their areas of specialization Opportunity to develop friendships with fellow workers from other dept.

Understand the background and training of your boss so you can serve him effectively Know the nature of the legal profession so you will perform better Before a person becomes a lawyer, he should finish a 4-year pre-law course He then proceeds to a specialized law school to prepare him to take the bar examination When he receives a license, he is admitted to the bar

The term bar is synonymous with lawyers Lawyers must keep abreast of changes in the law; a legal assistant is expected to do various legal research A lawyer serves different clients; he must be knowledgeable in many fields Lawyers takes their responsibilities seriously; they are responsible for decision-making regarding the application of the law

 The law profession is demanding;

lawyers need better assistance from their staff Not all lawyers are men; many are women lawyers Not all legal secretaries are women; many men enter this position

1. CIVIL matters - involve with protecting

the legal rights of individuals CIVIL LAW deals with protecting the rights of a person such as wills, estate mngt, corporate law, personal injury, domestic relations law, taxation law, patent law, maritime law, labor and intl law

2. CRIMINAL LEGAL matters- concern the protection of society from harmful acts The practice of criminal law is more dramatic than civil law and seems more exciting because of TV, newspapers, and other media. Some lawyers gain success as trial counsel or trial lawyer