LEGAL STUDIES 279
LEGAL STUDIES BERNADETTE AGRESTI, Program Director FACULTY: Ms. Bernadette Agresti, Paralegal, Atty. Anthony Angelone, Hon. Stephanie Domitrovich, Atty. Mary Alfieri Richmond, Atty. Brian Krowicki, Atty. Joseph Martone, Atty. William Morton. The Gannon University Legal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA definition of a legal assistant is: "A legal assistant is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, government agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." “The Legal Studies Program mission, at Gannon University, is to provide consistency with the University mission that includes preparing students to enter the legal field with the knowledge, skills and competency to be valued and respected members of the legal profession.” The most important goal of the legal studies program is to prepare students to enter careers in the legal field, in law firms, courts, public and private settings with the skills important to employers, that includes a strong exposure in what is considered ethical behavior, and with the understanding that without a law degree and bar admission, they will only work under the supervision of an attorney. Other goals include the ability to work on a team and expand their knowledge through continuing legal education. The objectives of the program are: • Understand the structure of the State and Federal court system • Understand the differences between civil and criminal practice • Analyze (by briefing) reported legal opinions. • Research legal problems using primary and secondary resources. • Write clear, effective legal memoranda, using proper citation form, and to write with good grammar and spelling skills. • Conduct effective interviews with clients and witnesses. • Understand the procedure in a civil suit and draft appropriate pleadings. • Be familiar with basic concepts of business organizations and contract law. • Recognize the ethical standards of the paralegal profession. A paralegal must follow the guidelines regarding the unauthorized practice of law of the state in which he/she is performing legal services. Legal Assistants/Paralegals provide professional services in a variety of legal, business settings, and corporations, usually, but not exclusively under the supervision of a lawyer. These services can include: interviewing, investigation, legal research, preparation of legal documents, review of transcripts, and participation in adversary and regulatory proceedings. One of the fastest growing professions nationally, legal assistants/paralegals are employed by individual attorneys, law firms, courts and government legal offices. They are also in growing demand by corporations, government agencies, financial institutions, insurance companies and real estate firms. Program graduates are advised not to confine their search for employment to the Erie market. Employment should be sought throughout the United States and beyond. Gannon University's ABA approved program offers three options: a four-year baccalaureate degree, a two-year associate degree, and a certificate option. Students pursuing other majors may double major or complete a certificate while completing their chosen four-year degree program, with the permission of the program director and the Dean of the College where the program lies. Transfer students may not use legal specialty coursework as a substitute for required legal specialty courses, unless the courses are transferring from an ABA approval paralegal