Burnaby Community & Continuing Education

Over the last 5 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of positions available for graduates of legal programs, both for legal administrative assistants (formerly legal secretaries) and paralegals (formerly legal assistants], both known as legal support staff.

Legal administrative assistants find employment working for lawyers, notaries public, government departments at all levels, in house legal departments, real estate offices, financial institutions and businesses who appreciate the value of an employee who understands risk management, attention to detail and confidentiality.

The Legal Administrative Assistant program gives a preview of the major areas of law, the processes involved, document creation, conduct of files, billings and client relations. It also includes support in preparing for job searches and a practicum to put the training to use.

To receive a diploma for the Legal Administrative Assistant program, the following courses must be successfully completed:

• Introduction to Legal Proceedings*
• Legal Transcription
• Litigation I
• Litigation II**
• Family Law
• Wills and Estates
• Conveyancing
• Corporate Records
• Job Search and Resume Writing
• Practicum (2 weeks, daytime)
• Powerpoint (optional)
• Excel (optional)
• Advanced Microsoft Word (optional)
• 45 wpm typing speed

Pre-requisites for this program are:

• basic keyboarding skills. Proof of typing speed will be required in the first class (30 wpm minimum). Typing tests will be available at the Information Session.
• knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• English proficiency is required (Grade 12 level). English testing is mandatory for those whose first language is not English. English testing available after the Information Session

The program should be completed in 2 years if 2 courses are taken per semester [neither optional courses nor time for practicum included in this estimate].

*This course is a pre-requisite to the other courses in this diploma program and may be taken at the same time as other courses.
** Litigation I must be taken before Litigation II.

Students should have a legal dictionary [available at all bookstores, $12-$15].

Free Information Session
Thursday January 5, 7:00 pm at Moscrop School