Legal Office Specialist

1. Define and recognize business etiquette and professionalism in the workplace and exhibit these skills in class interactions and communications such as e-mail and the discussion board.
2. Show basic keyboarding competency.
3. Utilize software applications necessary for business office operations including file management, e-mail, calendaring, search engines, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
4. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Word skills to create and edit flyers, letters, and reports using templates, mail merge, and building blocks.
5. Explain the life cycle of a lawsuit, create legal documents, and the U.S. and State court systems. Complete accurate scheduling using a master calendar, a tickler system, and calendaring software.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment of business. Apply basic legal knowledge to business transactions. Communicate effectively using standard business and legal terminology.
7. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
8. Recognize and use correct mechanics, grammar, punctuation, and usage appropriate for professional business communications.
9. Express thoughts clearly, concisely, and appropriately in verbal and written format by consistently using correct formatting and message approach (direct, indirect).
10. Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.
11. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills to use formulas and functions to create and edit worksheets, workbooks, charts and graphics, lookup tables, pivot tables, and charts as used in business scenarios.
12. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Access skills to practice how to plan, design, create, and query a database, generate reports, and produce input user forms while recognizing correct database design concepts.
13. Employ intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills to create business presentations that demonstrate appropriate design techniques.
14. Apply accounting principles as they pertain to business office bookkeeping scenarios. Complete an accounting simulation by applying bookkeeping functions using QuickBooks.
15. Practice methods to integrate Office 365 software to achieve efficiency in office operations.

Legal office specialists assist lawyers in private law firms, governmental offices, legal departments of corporations, courthouses, legal aid offices, or the offices of county attorneys, public defenders, and judges.

Duties may include preparing legal documents, billing and accounting, processing correspondence, transcribing, communicating with clients, utilizing a variety of software, and organizing and managing a busy legal practice.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

Students can choose to complete the Legal Office Specialist programs part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guides. Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisor for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence.

Below, new students can find the first semester part-time course options. After the first semester, work with your faculty advisor to plan future semesters.

First Semester Course Options

ADSC 1003, COMP 1002, INTS 1000

View Course Schedule

Options differ depending on whether you plan to start in the fall or spring semester

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

1. Define and recognize business etiquette and professionalism in the workplace and exhibit these skills in class interactions and communications such as e-mail and the discussion board.
2. Show basic keyboarding competency.
3. Utilize software applications necessary for business office operations including file management, e-mail, calendaring, search engines, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
4. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Word skills to create and edit flyers, letters, and reports using templates, mail merge, and building blocks.
5. Explain the life cycle of a lawsuit, create legal documents, and the U.S. and State court systems. Complete accurate scheduling using a master calendar, a tickler system, and calendaring software.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal environment of business. Apply basic legal knowledge to business transactions. Communicate effectively using standard business and legal terminology.

Legal specialists perform a variety of office tasks, including scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, and managing day-to-day correspondence. In addition, they may compile legal briefs, prepare contracts, or help expedite information for legal cases. As an example, they may fill out accident reports or trial and courtroom requests. They also may perform legal research and collect information pertaining to cases.

Office support specialists are needed in virtually every industry. In this technology-intensive work environment, support professionals with keyboarding and software skills are highly sought after by employers. Administrative office specialists perform a full range of office responsibilities. They collaborate with administrators and other support personnel to ensure efficiency and accuracy in all office tasks.

The ideal candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work independently and possess an attention to detail. The ability to work.

 Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

Students can choose to complete the Legal Office Specialist programs part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guides. Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisor for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence.

Below, new students can find the first semester part-time course options. After the first semester, work with your faculty advisor to plan future semesters.

First Semester Course Options

ADSC 1003, COMP 1002, INTS 1000

View Course Schedule

Options differ depending on whether you plan to start in the fall or spring semester

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.