Buzz Gnosis

Paralegals are represented by a number of professional organizations. One, which has only been around since 2003 but is making a big splash in the field, is the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc (AAPI). The AAPI was the first organization with national scope that became involved in setting up minimum educational requirements and guidelines. They also require that voting members meet certain work experience or educational guidelines.

Key factors to keep in mind when evaluating the quality of any paralegal program:

1. Teaching applicable, useful work skills in conjunction with cornerstone legal theory is an indispensable aspect of any quality paralegal school curriculum. Additionally, a solid paralegal degree program should also embrace everything from torts and business organizations to ethics and legal writing. Furthermore, paralegal courses should focus on enhancing students’ critical thinking abilities, improve and hone communication skills and prepare them emotional and psychologically to handle ethical issues.

2. Who’s behind the paralegal programs curriculum? In other words, what kind of credentials does the program director and the faculty possess. The director should have some type of paralegal education, a law degree or related advanced degree and if they also have legal field experience that’s a plus. In addition, faculty should either have direct paralegal field experience or at a minimum, experience working with paralegals. Of course, they must be an expert in the subject they are teaching.

3. Are you looking for a traditional campus environment or online training? Online paralegal training is becoming increasingly popular but is an online learning environment right for you? In addition, you need to find out what type of training system will be used (i.e. interactive video or web-based, etc.) and how much interaction takes place between the teachers and you (the student). Additionally, if you’ve never taken online classes before, you need to decide if you have the motivation and discipline to do the assignments on your own.

Obviously, seeking a paralegal career is not for just anyone but it is for those that welcome research, have top notch writing and organizational skills and can work under a deadline and for that possess those skills this is an exciting and expanding field that offers financial rewards and professional fulfillment.

La Roux and Heaven 17 have been confirmed to perform a collaboration early next year.

The two acts will record together at Maida Vale Studios in London, with the session being broadcast on BBC 6 Music on January 29.

“Heaven 17 have always maintained an open mind and collaborative attitude towards new musical ideas, and when the opportunity to work with La Roux came up, we jumped at the chance,” keyboardist Martyn Ware said.

“We really like their attitude towards pop writing, and we’re also fans of Elly’s voice – we’re sure that our writing and performance experience combined with La Roux’s youthful energy and talent will create a unique and exciting collaboration.”

La Roux singer Elly Jackson added that bandmate Ben Langmaid has long been a fan of the The Luxury Gap group.

“I know that for Ben particularly this is an opportunity to work with one of his heroes, and that’s not something you are often given the chance to do, it’s amazing really,” she said.

“I’m personally looking forward to singing with Glenn [Gregory, lead singer of Heaven 17] as I really admire the expression in his vocals. I think it will be an interesting contrast to mine.

“Also, we put Glenn on the list for one of our first ever gigs but there was a mix up and the bouncers didn’t let him in, so now we’ll get to apologise properly in person!

“And hopefully get to make some great music at the same time. I can’t wait.”

La Roux re-release single ‘Quicksand’ on November 23.