What Kinds of Law Can Paralegals Specialize In?

Criminal Law

What is criminal law?

Criminal law concerns itself with finding and punishing people who have broken the law by committing crimes. The goal of criminal law is to uncover the true perpetrator of a crime and exact justice. Criminal law includes a wide range of crimes, from homicides to pirating copyrighted material.

What do criminal law paralegals do?

Criminal law paralegals can work for the prosecution or the defense. In both cases, paralegals will help attorneys prepare for trial by gathering evidence, arranging for witness interviews and filing legal documents with the court. During a trial, they can help their team win the case by reviewing trial notes and preparing exhibits for court.

Corporate law

What is corporate law?

Corporate law is the system of criminal justice that makes sure businesses adhere to local and federal regulations for conducting business legally. Paralegals in this specialty might work for a single corporation as part of their in-house legal team, or they might work for a firm that works with many corporate clients.

What do corporate law paralegals do?

Corporate paralegals spend much of their time performing routine job duties like filing legal paperwork and helping meet compliance standards, but they might also be called upon to help with litigation if a company is brought to court. Corporate paralegals often benefit from having experience with bookkeeping and finances.

International law

What is international law?

International law governs the interactions between different countries. These laws are designed to promote trade and to keep all citizens safe. International law often deals with issues related to preserving the environment, establishing basic human rights and regulating trade.

What do international law paralegals do?

These paralegals could be part of a team that’s involved in crafting treaties and trade agreements or raising awareness of human rights abuses around the world. International law paralegals may have opportunities to travel, so consider this type of law if you have a strong interest in other cultures and international affairs.

Commercial law

What is commercial law?

Commercial law—sometimes called trade law or business law—deals with commerce, trade, and consumer transactions. This broad legal field includes areas like bankruptcy, contracts, mortgages and real estate, consumer credit and banking.

 What do commercial law paralegals do?

Paralegals in this legal specialty might find themselves reviewing contracts, filing bankruptcy documents, guiding debtors through the legal process or coordinating a real estate transaction. Paralegals who are interested in this type of law can look for a firm that focuses on the area of commercial law they’re most drawn to.

Family law

What is family law?

This type of law handles cases related to family relationships, such as divorce and child custody, adoption and termination of parental rights. These cases often involve children, and some surround difficult circumstances, such as child abuse or domestic violence.

What do family law paralegals do?

Family law paralegals might find themselves getting to know their firm’s clients on a more personal level than paralegals in other specialties. They can also expect to interact with social workers as they navigate tricky and emotional negotiations between parties. These paralegals might even serve as a guardian ad litem—that is, an impartial advocate—on behalf of a child.

Constitutional law

What is constitutional law?

This area of law includes any legal proceedings related to upholding or interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Court cases might surround issues like due process, civil rights or freedom of speech. 

What do constitutional law paralegals do?

Constitutional law paralegals often work for nonprofit or public interest groups. It helps if they have an eye for detail and a love of history because much of their work will involve reading the Constitution itself, as well as researching the outcomes of past constitutional law cases.

Labor law

What is labor law?

Labor laws oversee the relationship between employers and employees. Their goal is to ensure that employees aren’t taken advantage of by corporations, which typically have more bargaining power or resources than an individual employee. Labor laws govern issues like collective bargaining, unionization, benefits disputes and more.

What do labor law paralegals do?

These paralegals assist their firm or corporation in preparing for labor disputes. They might work on cases related to strikes, unfair termination, harassment or discrimination in the workplace. On a more routine basis, they could help negotiate employee contracts.

Intellectual property law

What is intellectual property law?

Intellectual property (IP) refers to intangible creative works or inventions that are protected by copyrights, trademarks or patents. These laws work to protect creators from copyright infringement.

 What do intellectual property paralegals do?

IP paralegals conduct trademark and patent research, file for trademarks and patents, and negotiate intellectual property rights. They also help attorneys prepare for litigation in cases of copyright violation or trademark infringement.

Join Our Criminal Justice School Today!

Qualifying from our Criminal Justice School puts you in an excellent position to access a variety of employment opportunities as you look for one that suits your skills and interests. At Northwest Career College, our Criminal Justice instructors include licensed, practicing attorneys and degree instructors able to teach, not only the law but also to guide our students in the many ways a criminal justice graduate integrates into a Las Vegas legal profession.

As part of our Criminal Justice Program, you’ll visit courts, jails, meditation centers and more to experience first-hand the law in action which will make your criminal justice training applicable to the Las Vegas legal system. Northwest offers a flexible blended program with all criminal justice classes Las Vegas law classes taught on campus by an attorney and general education courses offered online. Our experienced instructors are on-campus to review and support your learning experience at all times.

Call us at (702) 403-1592 to speak to one of our enrollment team about joining our Criminal Justice Program today!