Upcoming seminars include Intellectual Property Law, Business Organization Law, Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law, and Wills, Trusts and Estates

Complementing its long-running Paralegal Certificate Program with the introduction of the Advanced Paralegal Seminar Series, the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) launched the UD PCS Paralegal Institute. The institute is designed to serve anyone preparing for a legal career as well as those who are established in the profession or have undertaken studies in the field.

The National Association of Legal Assistants traces the development of the paralegal career to the late 1960s, when law firms and individual practitioners were seeking to improve the efficient and cost-effective delivery of legal services. The first paralegal training programs were established in the early 1970s, and the University of Delaware was near the forefront with the introduction of its curriculum in 1978.

“We take great pride in our Paralegal Certificate Program, which has produced successful graduates who not only work with attorneys and in numerous other industries, but have also used their education as a vehicle to prepare for law school,” said Patricia Allen, UD PCS program coordinator. “Over the years, many of our former students have requested opportunities for further education on issues they are facing on a regular basis.”

In response to this need, the Advanced Paralegal Seminar Series has been created to provide advanced study in various areas of the law to enhance the career of anyone employed by a law firm, interested in a legal profession, or possessing legal experience and wishing to increase their knowledge in the legal field. By concentrating on targeted trending legal topics, the series focuses on enabling students to gain the specialized knowledge that will increase their scope of practice and competencies and make them more effective in working with attorneys who may focus on particular legal fields and specialties. Designed to accommodate busy professionals, these short-term courses consist of 12 hours of classroom instruction.

The series commences with Intellectual Property Law, which will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday evenings, March 18 – April 8, at UD’s Arsht Hall in Wilmington. Addressing various types of intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets, the seminar provides students with a greater understanding of what constitutes intellectual property as well as the legal steps that may be required to create, protect and defend it.

Future Advanced Paralegal Seminar Series topics include Business Organization Law, Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Suggestions for other courses are encouraged.

The next Paralegal Certificate Program is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings, from Sept. 4 to July 22, at Arsht Hall. The program covers the American system of law, court systems and procedures, and legal research and writing, and introduces the major branches of law.

To learn more about the UD PCS Paralegal Institute’s offerings, visit www.pcs.udel.edu/paralegal-institute, email continuing-ed@udel.edu, or call 302-831-7600.