Paralegals play a very important role in the legal field, providing essential support to attorneys and ensuring the smooth operation of legal teams. Whether it’s conducting legal research, drafting documents, managing case files, or collaborating with clients and colleagues, your role is key to the success of any law office.
In this post, we’re going to explore different types of tools and software that you can expect to become proficient in as a paralegal and why they’re important.
Paralegals are the backbone of every legal team, and effective communication is essential to ensuring that legal teams run effectively and efficiently. Whether it’s collaborating on cases or communicating with clients, paralegals need to know how to use industry-standard tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom — platforms that are integral to law office operations.
A paralegal must be proficient in productivity software, and at Bryan University, we ensure that our paralegal students are ready to hit the ground running. Students learn how to expertly navigate Microsoft Office Suite, including Word for drafting legal documents, Excel for managing case data, and PowerPoint for crafting impactful presentations. These tools are essential for staying organized and efficient in your daily tasks and paralegal duties.
In today’s legal world, especially with the emergence of AI, up-to-date case management software is indispensable. Paralegals must be able to manage and store client and case data efficiently, and our program offers students hands-on experience in using leading case management systems like Clio. As one of the most widely used legal software systems, Clio streamlines tasks such as billing, record management, and client intake.
That experience using Clio was one of the standout features of our paralegal program that a recent graduate, Allison Elibasich, said prepared her for working in the industry. In her first job as a paralegal after graduation, she was able to start using Clio right away in the office thanks to her comprehensive training during the Bryan University paralegal program, which gave her confidence in her new position and set her up for success.
Legal research is a cornerstone of a paralegal’s job, and at Bryan University, students become proficient in some of the best research platforms. From LexisNexis and Westlaw to Bloomberg Law, paralegals should be able to navigate complex legal databases to find case law, statutes, and precedents.
Bryan University’s paralegal programs utilize Nexis Uni with our students, a powerful database from LexisNexis that offers access to over 15,000 sources for comprehensive legal research.
In the world of digital investigations, eDiscovery is a vital skill for paralegals. This involves collecting and analyzing electronically stored information (ESI) from various sources like emails, documents, voicemails, cell phone data, instant messages, and even social media. Different types of eDiscovery software include DISCO, Everlaw, Relativity, and more, and at Bryan University, students have the opportunity to work in Relativity – a gold standard eDiscovery software.
BU students are taught how to dive into Relativity and to perform eDiscovery functions and even have the opportunity to prepare for a Relativity certification exam, with the exam cost included in your tuition. This certification is a sought-after credential in the legal industry that will set Bryan University students apart from other candidates.
Bryan University’s Paralegal Studies programs are designed to align with the current needs of law firms and legal professionals. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, our curriculum ensures you gain practical, real-world experience in an online environment. Our curriculum is designed for students to learn how to complete assignments that mirror actual job tasks. This allows our students to be job-ready upon graduation.
Ready to start your paralegal career? Bryan University gives you the tools and hands-on experience to thrive in the legal profession. Learn more or register online today and take the first step toward a successful and stimulating career as a paralegal!
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