Paralegal Technology
Paralegals play a key role in helping lawyers prepare legal documents, research cases, and support clients. Through Central Piedmont’s Paralegal Technology program, you can graduate with the skills you need to work in law firms, government, banks, insurance companies, and more.
What You Will Learn
Paralegals do important work behind the scenes. While they can't give legal advice or represent clients in court, they help attorneys by:
- researching laws and cases
- writing and filing legal documents
- helping with criminal and civil trials
- searching public records
- preparing wills, contracts, and real estate documents
You’ll take classes in many areas of law, including:
- civil and criminal law
- family law
- real estate
- wills, estates, and trusts
- personal injury and contract law
- legal writing and research
- legal ethics
You’ll also build computer skills, practice speaking in front of others, and improve your writing.
Come to an information session
Why Choose Central Piedmont
Central Piedmont has the only paralegal program in Charlotte approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Only seven programs in North Carolina have this approval, which means our program meets the highest standards in legal education.
When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the NC Certified Paralegal Exam. This is a great step toward getting hired.
You’ll learn from experienced teachers, use industry software, and access resources like:
- internships
- career counseling
- legal research tools
The Details
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Program Options
Depending on your goals and schedule, you can choose from:
- an Associate in Applied Science degree
- a diploma (for students who already have a college degree)
- a certificate
The college catalog has full details about courses, requirements, and credentials.
All in person classes are on Central Campus. It is possible to complete the program by taking only evening courses.
If you plan to transfer to a four-year college, visit the Transfer Resource Center.
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Paralegal Scholarships
You may be able to get help paying for school. Scholarships for paralegal students include:
FAQs
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What does a paralegal do?
Paralegals help lawyers by doing research, writing papers, and talking with clients. They help keep legal work organized and on track.
Key Responsibilities
- Legal research: Paralegals dig into laws, regulations, and past cases to help lawyers build strong arguments.
- Drafting documents: They write legal papers like contracts, affidavits, pleadings, and court filings.
- Case management: Paralegals organize case files, track deadlines, and manage evidence and exhibits.
- Client communication: They talk with clients to gather information and provide updates.
- Trial preparation: Paralegals help lawyers get ready by preparing documents and organizing materials.
- Administrative tasks: They handle office duties like filing, billing, and scheduling.
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Where do paralegals work?
Paralegals work in many places, including:
- private law firms
- government agencies
- banks and insurance companies
- large corporations
- nonprofits and more
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How much do paralegals make?
For information about paralegal salaries, please visit Central Piedmont's Career Coach.
Paralegal Careers and Average Salaries
Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed paralegal career opportunities, salary information, and job openings.
Career Coach