Roosevelt University - Paralegal Studies Program

About Us

Program Overview | Program Philosophy | Program History
What is a Paralegal | Advisory Board

The Paralegal Studies Program at Roosevelt University, located in Chicago, Illinois, Schaumburg, Illinois and online, is designed for those who wish to pursue careers in the legal profession. The program offers a challenging course of study that prepares its graduates for a variety of paralegal job opportunities. A post-baccalaureate certificate is offered for those students holding a bachelor's degree, and two bachelor degree options are available for Roosevelt University undergraduate students interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree and our paralegal certificate combined. All of these options are explained on our Apply Page. Our classes are taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals and offer practical, hands-on legal training. We are one of the Midwest's oldest and largest paralegal education programs. We have earned the approval of the American Bar Association since 1976. For more than 10,000 alumni working in law, government, and business, the Paralegal Studies Program at Roosevelt University has been the paralegal program of choice.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

The Paralegal Studies Program is an institution of higher and practical learning. Theory is addressed and covered, especially in relation to ethics, the unauthorized practice of law and professional responsibility. However, the focus of the program is on the practical aspects of law.

PROGRAM HISTORY

In August 2004, Roosevelt University announced that its renowned Lawyer's Assistant Program was changing its' name to the Paralegal Studies Program. The name change reflected contemporary language used in the profession and coincided with the program's 30th year of serving Chicagoland's legal community.

The Paralegal Studies Program is one of the Midwest's oldest and largest paralegal training programs. Established in 1974, and first approved by the American Bar Association in 1976, the program has enjoyed over 30 years of educating high caliber paralegals as an ABA-approved program. The program enjoys an excellent reputation in the legal community and our graduates are in great demand.

WHAT IS A PARALEGAL?

Paralegals perform substantive legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney. Paralegals must have a knowledge and understanding of legal concepts, as they perform a wide variety of tasks including but not limited to: conducting interviews with clients and witnesses, gathering facts, researching the law, managing databases, reviewing, analyzing and assembling records and documents, drafting legal pleadings and discovery items such as complaints and interrogatories and maintaining conflicts of interest systems. Experienced paralegals often accompany counsel during trial and help with document management and organization, witness preparation and research. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

For more information on the paralegal profession and the type of work paralegals perform in different practice areas, visit the websites of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Assistants.

Finally, if you want to see why the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the paralegal profession to grow much faster than average for all occupations though 2014, read the Occupational Outlook Handbook here.

ADVISORY BOARD

Janis Berlin, Paralegal
Illinois Department of Corrections, Legal Services

Michael Burns, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management
& Director of Admissions
DePaul University College of Law

Edward Carter, Supervisor of Financial Crimes Prosecutions
Illinois Attorney General's Office

John Cicero Ph.D., Dean
Evelyn T. Stone College of Professional Studies, Roosevelt University

Chanita M. Dean, Assistant Director

Paralegal Studies Program

Janet Denler, Paralegal Coordinator
Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess

Christine Hansen, Paralegal
SBC Communications, Inc.

Kevin Henderson
Director of Solo Segment Recruitment & Retention
American Bar Association

Anthony G. Hopp, Partner
Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon

Mary Jahntz, Assistant Vice President
LaSalle Bank National Association

Dexter Johnson, Attorney
Mallon & Johnson

Carrie Lausen, Director
Paralegal Studies Program

Honorable Lewis Nixon, Judge
Circuit Court of Cook County

Sande Shamash, Executive Director
Tourette Syndrome Association of Illinois, Inc.

Paige Stepan, Paralegal
Winston & Strawn

Paralegal Studies Program