Paralegals must often write or edit a variety of documents as part of their daily duties. These include memoranda, briefs and letters of correspondence. Beginning classroom writing activities may focus on reading examples of legal documents and identifying or classifying the type (e.g., brief). Higher level paralegal writing course activities may include writing an actual document. For example, students may be given a case (fictional or real) to base a brief on.
Conducting legal research is a key part of the paralegal's job description. This typically includes researching information pertinent to a case such as past cases, current issues, news topics, technical matters and other related legal subjects. Legal research classes may include activities that help students learn about the different types of research required of a legal assistant and how to actually carry out the research. Specifically, activities may cover topics such as legal databases (e.g., Lexis-Nexis) or accessing state codes.
The professional paralegal will need to have mastery of many different types of office equipment such as computers and other technological items, filing systems and communication devices. Hands-on classroom activities can help the paralegal student to develop competency in using these, and other, office items. Through class time spent in a computer lab, students can learn about personal computer use, business applications and software packages such as word processing, record keeping and spreadsheet programs. Teachers may give students an assignment such as to create a spreadsheet for billable hours or to write a document in Microsoft Word. Students will then, under the supervision of the instructor, use the computer to complete the assigned task.
After completing a training program, paralegals will have some degree of contact with clients, lawyers and other professionals. Whether the paralegal is interviewing a witness, confirming appointments or discussing a document, effective communication skills are key. One way to learn about appropriate legal communication is to role play with other students. In a role playing activity, instructors can set up mock situations that real-life paralegals may face everyday. For example, one student can play the role of the paralegal, while another plays the role of the client. The paralegal will then interview the client with some guidance and feedback from the instructor.