Michigan Paralegal Associations and Information
Statewide Paralegal Associations
NALS of Michigan
Description: The NALS of Michigan is the oldest association formed for legal support professionals. Established in 1929, it was incorporated as the National Association of Legal Secretaries in 1949, and renamed NALS…the association for legal professionals in 1999. The association has always been a leader in the legal support profession.
NALS is dedicated to enhancing the competencies and contributions of members in the legal services profession. NALS accomplishes its mission and supports the public interest through: 1) Continuing legal education and resource materials; 2) Networking opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels; 3) Commitment to a Code of Ethics and professional standards; and 4) Professional certification programs and designations.
Contact:
President: Roxann Repasy
NALS of Michigan,
Lansing, Michigan
Telephone: 734-930-2406
Email: rrepasy@comerica.com
Website: http://www.nalsofmichigan.org/
State Bar of Michigan Paralegal/Legal Assistant Division
Description: The Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section of the State Bar of Michigan provides education, information and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter. Membership is open to qualified legal assistants and to all members of the State Bar of Michigan.
Contact:
Nicole Marie Cook
701 N Oakland
Laingsburg, 48848
Telephone: (517) 896-1016; (517) 203-7590
Fax: (517) 886-1080
Email: ncook@lsaservices.com
Website: http://www.laamnet.org/
Legal Assistants Association of Michigan (LAAM)
Description: A non-profit association founded in 1978, the Legal Assistants Association of Michigan (LAAM) provides a professional affiliation for practicing legal assistant/paralegals throughout the state of Michigan. LAAM is affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
Contact:
Website: http://www.laamnet.org/
Paralegal Schools and CLE
Baker College of Auburn Hills
Description: Core courses prepare students to assist attorneys by drafting legal documents, interacting with clients, and assisting in court. Students will conduct research and prepare memoranda to aid attorneys in resolving legal issues. Students will learn to assist attorneys with discovery, which includes responding to interrogatories, producing documents, and interviewing witnesses. Students may use their paralegal education in private law firms, corporations, nonprofit organizations, court systems, real estate title companies, banks, insurance companies, health care companies, local, state, and federal government agencies. The program is ABA approved on the Auburn Hills campus.
Type of Institution: Private, ABA approved
Degrees offered: Associate of Business Degree.
Contact:
DirectorParalegal Program: Melissa Manela
1500 University Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2642
Telephone: 248.276.8783
Fax: 248.276.8273
Email: melissa.manela@baker.edu
Website: http://www.baker.edu
Davenport University - Grand Rapids Campus
Description: Davenport University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies, which is an ABA approved program, provides the opportunity for further study in the areas of litigation, computer applications, and legal specialties. The degree prepares students to successfully perform the duties required of a paralegal through studies that focus on effective communication skills, critical thinking, litigation procedures, computer applications for law offices, ethics and various legal specialties. The courses of the Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies provide valuable preparation for careers in law offices, government agencies, or other law-related settings.
Type of Institution: Private, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associates, Baccalaureate Degree, Certificate Program.
Contact:
Director: Barbara Craft
Paralegal Studies Program
6191 Kraft Ave., SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Telephone: 616.698.7111
Fax: 616.554.4784
Email: Barb.Craft@davenport.edu
Website: http://www.davenport.edu/
Eastern Michigan University
Description: The Eastern Michigan University Paralegal/Legal Assisting Studies Program, enable students get inside the law and develop the professional skills to work side-by-side and under the supervision of an attorney. The faculty–who are all attorneys–are committed to providing the students with the “real world” skills needed to succeed in today’s legal market. These skills include: proficiency in legal research, writing and analysis; using computer-based research tools; learning court rules and procedures; drafting legal documents; understanding corporate transactions; interviewing clients; discovery; and preparing for trial. The Program has a secondary admission & retention policy. The Program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the gold standard for paralegal programs. It offers both the initial Bachelor of Science and second bachelor’s degrees. The Program welcomes transfer students and has articulation agreements with many community colleges. Eastern Michigan University is the only university in the country that sponsors an attorney-supervised legal clinic for its paralegal students, who work inside courthouses helping members of the public with court forms.
Type of Institution: Public, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s Degree, Second Bachelor’s Degree.
Contact:
Director: Nancy Caine Harbour, J.D.
Paralegal Studies Program
School of Technology Studies
111 Sill Hall
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Telephone: 734.487.1161
Fax: 734.487.7690
Email: nharbour@emich.edu
Website: http://cot.emich.edu/legalassistant/
Ferris State University
Description: The Ferris Legal Studies program provides students with a curriculum that emphasizes a broad-based knowledge of the law, with an emphasis on legal research and writing skills. Students interested in working as paralegals, legal assistants, court personnel, or in occupations that require a strong legal background should consider this program. Ferris graduates have been very successful in using this degree as a background for a variety of occupations and as preparation for law school.
Students are required to complete courses in legal research, criminal and civil procedure, real estate law, probate and estate planning. In addition, students study business courses in accounting, business law and computers. General education courses are also required and include English, mathematics and public speaking. Ferris has an excellent legal collection, and research classes are taught in the library. Lexis-Nexis and WESTLAW, computerized legal research databases, are available.
The Legal Studies program at Ferris State University has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1978. The curriculum meets or exceeds all the ABA requirements.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree.
Contact:
Director: Gayle S. Lopez
College of Business
Legal Studies Program
119 South Street
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2295
Telephone: 231.591.3170
Fax: 231.591.3521
Email: lopezg@ferris.edu
Website: http://catalog.ferris.edu/programs/92/
Henry Ford Community College
Description: Henry Ford Community College’s Legal Assistant program is designed to prepare students for a career in the legal profession. Legal Assistants/Paralegals perform important legal support work such as legal research, legal document preparation, client and witness interviewing, interfacing with courts and administrative agencies, and the application of technical information. Upon completion of the program, graduates may choose to enter the workforce as Legal Assistants/Paralegals or may choose to continue their education by transferring to a four-year baccalaureate-degree institution.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associate in Business Degree.
Contact:
Director: Kevin Adams
Legal Assistant Program
5101 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
Telephone: 313.845.9693
Fax: 313.845.9778
Email: kadams@hfcc.net
Website: www.hfcc.edu
Kellogg Community College
Description: Kellogg Community College offers the Paralegal Associate of Applied Science Degree for students who are just beginning college. For those who have already possessed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university the college provides the Paralegal Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. These ABA approved programs provide an excellent introduction to legal studies and can help students prepare for the rigors of law school.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program; Paralegal Associate of Applied Science Degree
Contact:
Director: Susan M. McCabe
Paralegal Program
450 North Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017-3397
Telephone: 269.965.3931
Fax: 269.966.4086
Email: mccabes@kellogg.edu
Website: www.kellogg.edu/socialscience/legalassitant/index.html
Lake Superior State University
Description: The Lake Superior State University paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association and is designed to train qualified legal assistants capable of working in a variety of areas of the law and in a variety of work environments. The college offers four different degrees in legal studies. They are: (1) a four-year baccalaureate degree in legal studies with an emphasis in legal administration, criminal law, personal injury, labor law, legislative/constitutional law, environmental law and policy, legal technology, or client advocacy or a selected minor as approved by the legal studies coordinator; (2) a two-year associate’s degree in legal studies; (3) a post-baccalaureate (one-year) certificate in legal studies (which is available to students who already have a bachelor’s degree in some other discipline and wish to make a career change or advancement); or (4) a minor in legal studies which can complement various majors (and may also be helpful to students who are planning on attending law school).
Type of Institution: Public, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associate, Bachelor, Post-Baccalaureate Degree.
Contact:
Director: Carol Andary
Legal Assistant Studies Program
650 W. Easterday Avenue
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Telephone: 906.635.2104
Fax: 906.635.2821
Email: candary@lssu.edu
Website: http://www.lssu.edu/programsofstudy/legalstudies/
Lansing Community College
Description: Lansing Community College is located in Lansing, MI, just blocks from the capitol building and state government. Two legal assistant (paralegal) program options are offered: the Associate Degree in Business and the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. Students with no previous college can usually complete the associate degree curriculum in two years if they attend full-time. Because post-baccalaureate certificate students have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, they usually can complete the requirements in one year, attending full-time. Both programs have been approved by the ABA since 1988.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Business, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.
Minimum length of time to complete program: two regular semesters for post-baccalaureate certificate, four regular semesters for Associate Degree.
Contact:
Director: Elizabeth L. Nobis
Paralegal Program
2100 Business Department
P. O. Box 40010
Lansing, MI 48901-7210
Telephone: 517.483.1503
Fax: 517.483.9740
Email: nobise@lcc.edu
Website: www.lcc.edu/business/legal_asst
Macomb Community College (ABA Approved)
Description: Graduates of Macomb’s Legal Assistant program continue to claim vital positions in law offices, corporations, government agencies and offices, banks, title companies, courts, and insurance companies. Macomb’s Legal Assistant program is approved by the American Bar Association.
The Legal Assistant program at Macomb will train the student to conduct legal research, including computer-assisted research, interview clients and witnesses, prepare various legal documents, and prepare legal forms necessary to organize and operate business. The program also helps students to learn the fundamentals of civil procedure and litigation, the ethical responsibilities of a legal assistant, the structure of federal and state court systems, basic real estate and business law, criminal law and procedure, bankruptcy law and procedure including debt collection, family law and procedure, administrative law and procedure, and probate law and procedure.
Type of Institution: Public, 2yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associate Degree.
Contact:
Director: Jennifer Gornicki, Esq.
South Campus
Legal Assistant Program
14500 E. 12 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48088-3896
Telephone: 586.445.7176
Fax: 586.445.7014
Email: gornickij@macomb.edu
Website: http://www.macomb.edu/Current+Students/Educational+Offerings/Areas+of+Study/Legal+Assistant/Program+Information.htm
Madonna University
Description: The Legal Assistant Program at Madonna University combines a liberal arts education with career preparation. The programs, ABA approved since 1984, offer paralegal education to beginning students, transfer students, post-degree students and BSN credentialed nurses. Serving the metropolitan Detroit area and the state of Michigan, Madonna University is located in the picturesque setting of Livonia, Mich. Convenient to several major freeways, the central location is an easy commute for most of metro Detroit, Ann Arbor and Lansing areas.
Type of Institution: Private, 2 yr, 4yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Bachelor of Science, Associate in Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Post-BSN Nurse Paralegal
Internships: Mandatory
Contact:
Director: Jennifer W. Cotè, J.D.
Paralegal Studies Program
36600 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
Telephone: 734.432.5549
Fax: 734.432.5393
Email: jcote@madonna.edu
Website: www.madonna.edu/pages/paralegal.cfm
Northwestern Michigan College (MNC)
Description: Northwestern Michigan College’s (NMC) Legal Assistant program prepares students for entry into the legal profession, a broad background in many different areas of law. The program equips students to meet the responsibilities of a paralegal which may include interviewing and assisting clients and witnesses, investigation, data analysis, drafting legal documents and correspondence, research, litigation support and case management.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved.
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science.
Contact:
Director: Gary Klotzbach
Legal Assistant Program
1701 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686-3061
Telephone: 231.995.1257
Fax: 231.995.1546
Email: gklotzbach@nmc.edu
Website: http://www.nmc.edu/programs/academic-programs/legal-assistant/index.html
Oakland Community College
Description: Oakland Community College’s paralegal programs, which are approved by the ABA, are designed to provide the legal profession with qualified paraprofessionals. The programs enable the students to work closely with attorneys as paralegals, to assist them in performing research, filing documents with courts and agencies, organizing trial documents and evidence, helping to prepare witnesses, and assisting at trials.
Type of Institution: Public, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.
Contact:
Director: Douglas P. Kolly
Orchard Ridge Campus
Paralegal Program
27055 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334-4579
Telephone: 248.522.3627
Fax: 248.522.3621
Email: dpkolly@oaklandcc.edu
Website: www.oaklandcc.edu/Paralegal
Oakland University
Description: The primary goal of the Paralegal Program at Oakland University is to introduce students to the study of law with an emphasis on real-world applications and legal procedures. Classes are taught by attorneys, judges, and qualified professionals who understand the role of the paralegal in modern legal practice. Oakland’s 13-course Paralegal Program consists of: nine core courses (required of all students); three legal specialty courses (selected according to interest); and the final course on ethics which includes a field studies element of supervised internship. Students may choose to specialize in litigation, business or estate administration.
Type of Institution: Public, ABA approved
Degrees Offered: Certificate Program
Contact:
Director: Lori Crose
Paralegal Program
332 Elliott Hall
Rochester, MI 48309-4401
Telephone: 248.370-3177
Fax: 248.370.4963
Email: sba-ce@lists.oakland.edu
Website: www.sba.oakland.edu/ce/paralegal
Michigan Paralegal Blog
http://paralegals.uslegalblogs.com/category/states/michigan/
