AAfPE Core Program Competencies

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Analyze legal problems by identifying the relevant facts, issues, and applicable law to a fact situation to find a potential solution. 

2. Identify interrelationships among cases, statutes, regulations, and other legal authorities.

3. Formulate logical solutions to problems in a legal setting. 

4. Construct logical arguments in support of specific positions.

5. Evaluate solutions and arguments to a specific legal problem.

6. Distinguish evidentiary facts from other material and/or controlling facts. 

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Categorize information.

2. Demonstrate an ability to prioritize assignments and client needs.

3. Demonstrate how to organize and maintain information and client files.

4. Demonstrate how to utilize various systems commonly used in the law office management. 

5. Provide appropriate hearing/trial assistance through the organization and maintenance of evidence. 

6. Describe different administrative and support roles performed by lawyers and non-lawyer paralegals and legal support staff.

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Demonstrate effective communication across multiple modalities and environments. 

2. Conduct interviews and/or investigations and communicate findings clearly, accurately, and professionally.

3. Develop interview questions, conduct effective interviews, and accurately record responses. 

4. Identify factual omissions and inconsistencies.

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and professional communication skills in a legal environment.

2. Adapt behavior and problem-solving approaches to respond effectively to changing workplace situations.

3. Manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.

4. Identify situations that require clarification and formulate appropriate questions to seek guidance.

5. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate within a team setting.

6. Differentiate tasks that require supervision from those that can be performed independently.

7. Describe the duties and responsibilities of paralegals, lawyers, and support staff.

8. Recognize the value of ongoing professional development.

9. Demonstrate effective time management and organizational strategies. 

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Prepare and execute a legal research plan; analyze and categorize key facts as well as relevant missing facts in a situation. 

2. Use sources of law to locate applicable primary and secondary source materials.

3. Differentiate sources of law to determine which supersede others. 

4. Evaluate sources of law and apply them to issues requiring legal analysis.

5. Demonstrate the ability to properly cite sources of law. 

6. Execute “Cite checking” of legal sources. 

7. Apply principles of writing and rules of English grammar to all writing tasks.

8. Demonstrate writing in a style that conveys legal theory in a clear and concise manner to a factual situation. 

9. Demonstrate knowledge of writing styles or formats uniquely suited to objective and persuasive documents.

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Identify typical software, applications, information systems, artificial intelligence, and social media typically encountered in the legal environment.

2. Utilize typical software, applications, information systems, artificial intelligence, and social media typically encountered in the legal environment.

3. Demonstrate the use of productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation applications, including preparing, editing, saving, and retrieving files.

4. Demonstrate the use of typical legal-specific management applications such as time keeping and billing, litigation support, case management, client management, and/or docket control systems. 

5. Describe the process used to electronically file documents in courts that permit electronic filing; compare to manual filing; identify ethical problems related to electronic filing of court documents.

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Identify relevant procedural rules

2. Identify relevant substantive law

3. Use appropriate legal vocabulary

4. Explain key legal concepts across core areas of substantive and procedural law

5. Apply key legal concepts across core areas of substantive and procedural law.

Below are some examples of course learning outcomes that align with AAfPE’s Core Program Competencies. They are for optional use by AAfPE Members.  

1. Apply principles of professional ethics to specific factual situations.

2. Apply legal and ethical principles guiding paralegal conduct (e.g., confidentiality, conflicts of interest, unauthorized practice of law).

3.  Recognize the importance of continuing education for paralegals.

4. Apply ethical obligations for using technology, including the use of digital information and artificial intelligence.

5. Apply the ethical guidelines to properly maintain file and client information maintenance.