Working in a law office is challenging and fascinating.
Legal administrative assistant jobs are some of the highest paid in the office admin field.
In order to be competitive in this in-demand industry, students need a strong background in administrative skills, as well as specific legal knowledge. Vancouver Career College's Legal Administrative Assistant program is taught by instructors with real-world legal experience. Students learn the fundamental legal procedures and background they need to keep a law office running smoothly.
The intensive program teaches administrative skills such as keyboarding, computer skills (including commonly used software), and legal transcription. Students are also familiarized with the Canadian legal system, including legal rights and the court system. Students learn about specialized areas of legal administration, including real estate, corporate, family, criminal, and wills and estates. Students gain hands-on legal experience through a five-week practicum placement.
Graduates of this program can further their education by going on to enter our
Paralegal program.
"From the directors to the admissions staff, everyone here is very cooperative. When I needed extra help, the instructors would always squeeze me in and helped me a lot. I liked it there very much." - Jana K., Vancouver Career College Graduate
This program is 43 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Commercial Law Clerk
- Real Estate Law Clerk
- Family Law Paralegal
- Litigation Legal Assistant
- Legal Researcher
- Law Clerk
- Trade Mark Agent
- Notary Public
- Title Searcher
- Legal Assistant
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
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| SSSE |
Student Success Strategies |
25 |
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- Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume and learn how to write effective cover letters.
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| BCAE |
Business Computer Applications |
100 |
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- The first component of this course is designed to introduce students to basic computer literacy through familiarization with the components that make up a computer. Students will also look at the Windows operating system to learn how to manage a computer on a regular basis. The second component of this course will teach the basic skills required to work with a variety of business documents including the following MS Office Products Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The third and final component is designed to introduce students to considerations for living online. Students will look at what the Internet is and how email has made a huge impact on communicating with others, as well as look at how to find information on the Internet and avoid risk to personal security while online.
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| MO7E |
Office Information Management |
25 |
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- Students work with basic and more advanced features of Microsoft Outlook to manage messages for efficient communication, maintain personal and business contacts, and organize appointments and tasks.
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- Using a computer is essential in today’s office environment. This module offers the students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a standard keyboard. For the advanced keyboarder, the module focus is to increase typing speed and accuracy.
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| B1030 |
Business Communications |
75 |
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- Students will learn a variety of communication methods for the modern business office. Topics include written and oral communications, grammar, spelling and the communication process. Students will practice these elements by role playing and through case studies.
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| B1075 |
Employment and Customer Service Skills |
25 |
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- In the employment skills component, effective resume preparation, cover letter formats, content and phraseology will be studied and practiced. In the customer service skills component, the importance of the customer and of customer service are examined through case studies and role-playing. Students will learn relevant theories of human behaviour and how they may be applied to improve customer relations.
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| LAW1010 |
Introduction to the Study of Law |
50 |
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- Students will be provided with an overview of the Canadian legal system, legal institutions and the structure of the Canadian court system. Students learn about the history of Canadian law, including an analysis of the development of the Canadian constitution. The Legal Professional Act and the Rules of the Law Society of British Columbia will be discussed with a view towards professionalism and ethics in the field. There will be an examination of the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal profession. Students will learn how to interpret statutes and will attune their skills in legal reasoning. The Doctrine of Precedent, along with current issues, and developments in Canadian law will also be overviewed in this module. The process of law reform, the Law of Equity and how to distinguish case law and Stare Decisis will also be covered.
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| LAW1020 |
General Legal Office Procedures and Documentation |
125 |
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- In this module students learn about the day-to-day organization, management and procedures of a legal office. The latest developments in office technology are presented and practically applied as students draft standard legal documents (agreements, statements of claim and defense, letters and memos). Students are also introduced to the important skills of timekeeping, filing and the effective use of communication systems (telephone, fax). Law office and trust accounting concepts and procedures are covered. One of the most highly valued abilities of legal administrative assistants and paralegals is that of being able to prioritize, organize and multitask workloads. Students learn these important skills in tandem with problem solving and critical thinking skills development.
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| LAW1030 |
Litigation Procedures I |
75 |
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- The focus of this course is on civil litigation. Students learn the steps for opening and maintaining a litigation file and the British Columbia court litigation stages and procedures. Familiarization is built with different types of damages and claims as well as the procedures for proving a claim. Students gain experience preparing all relevant documents (for pre-trial and trial proceedings). Proceeding to trial is also covered, along with the procedure for actions (in Provincial Court and Civil Division). Mediation and settlement are introduced.
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| LAW1040 |
Family Law Procedures |
75 |
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- This course introduces the family court system in British Columbia. Students become familiar with Provincial and Supreme Court documentation and procedures used to bring issues of marriage, separation, divorce, custody/access, child welfare, adoption, maintenance and property to resolution using the legal system. The Family Relations Act and the Divorce Act are covered. Students gain experience in completing a contested divorce file. Child Support guidelines are also covered.
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| LAW2010 |
Real Estate Law and Conveyancing I |
75 |
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- This course focuses on the substantive law of real estate. Students are introduced to basic conveyancing procedures. The registration system in British Columbia is covered, along with other forms and documents related to transfer/deed, charge/mortgage, and discharge of charge/mortgage. The structure of a real estate sale is illustrated. Students also learn the requirements when acting for the vendor or acting for the purchaser. Students also gain knowledge about closing a real estate transaction.
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| LAW2020 |
Corporate and Commercial Law |
50 |
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- Students are introduced to the incorporation and organization of a British Columbia company. There will be an overview of the British Columbia Business Corporation Act (by which the BC Company Act was repealed), the Society Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Canada Corporations Act. Guidelines and procedures for selecting a corporate name are covered. Student understanding of corporate by-laws and corporate structure is built, along with the typical requirements of corporate meetings, minutes, resolutions and the duties of directors and officers. Students use legal precedents to prepare articles of incorporation and corporate by-laws. Experience is gained with routine filings and resolutions. Students learn how to set up and maintain corporate records (Records Book as well as the transitions to the new Business Corporations Acts). Corporate securities, records and changes are also covered.
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| LAW2030 |
Criminal Law and Evidence I |
50 |
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- In this introductory course, students learn about the nature, purpose, scope, sources and basic principles of criminal law. The Criminal Code of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are discussed. Students review the basic elements of a criminal offence and the practical procedures utilized throughout a client’s arrest, trial, sentencing and appeal. Jurisdictional issues are presented, along with the process for jury election. There will also be a discussion of evidence.
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| LAW2040 |
Wills and Estates Planning I |
50 |
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- In this foundation course, students learn about wills and estates planning, estate succession, testacy, intestacy, requirements of a valid will and execution procedures. There is an introduction to the roles of the Executor and Trustee. Students learn about the Notice to Beneficiaries, Living Wills, Power of Attorney and Representations Agreements. Assets, inheritance and estate inventory are also presented.
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- This module is for course credits but has no grade. Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as regular employees for five weeks in order to gain the valuable “real world” experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory. This is an unpaid experience.
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| CESE |
Career and Employment Strategies |
25 |
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- Students will have the opportunity to review and discuss the final practicum placement. Theory that has been presented throughout the program will be revisited and students will complete review assignments and a final competency exam. Simulated practice will be given in panel interviews as well as practice scenarios for job interviews. Students will update their resumes and cover letters. Students will have use of a Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers.