Legal Services Pathway
Recommended Legal Services (LS) Pathway
The courses below are recommended by our Board and network of industry experts.
Each course link will lead to a page with lesson plans, national standards, and resources.
For more information, feel free to email info@laspen.org
This is a national exemplar. Each state makes decisions on how to best serve their industry and school programs. Always refer to state and local guidelines for implementation.
The lesson plans for the legal services pathway were created, in part, from a generous grant from the
Georgia Bar Foundations’ IOLTA Grant.
Introduction Course – Introduction to Legal Services (ILS)
It is recommended that the Legal Services (LS) pathway have a unique and separate Introduction course from the other LPS pathways. The content in the LS pathway does not aligned well with other LPS pathways. Additionally, the time needed to prepare students for the Accredited Legal Professional (ALP) requires dedicated course offerings.
The course provides an introduction into the field of law. Students will learn fundamental concepts and skills relevant to understanding the legal system. Topics include the court system, case law, statutes, research and writing, mock trials, and more.
Visit our Introduction to Legal Services course page – with lesson plans – Click Here
This course provides an overview of the criminal law field. Students will learn fundamental concepts and skills relevant to understanding criminal law. Topics include search and seizure, criminal laws, analyzing statutes, legal research and writing, mock trials, and more.
Visit our Criminal Law course page – with lesson plans – Click Here
This course provides an overview of the civil law field. Students will learn fundamental concepts and skills relevant to understanding civil law and the legal system. Topics include legal careers, research and writing in the civil field, substantive civil law, mock trials, and more. Once completed, students are prepared to take the ALP.
After earning the ALP and a high school diploma, students will be able to be employed immediately in the field with excellent compensation and opportunities. Skills learned in the LS pathway will also prepare students interested in legal careers from paraprofessionals to attorneys.
Visit our Civil Law course page – with lesson plans – Click Here
Advanced Course Options
LAPSEN recommends pathways have flexibility for local systems to adjust to local needs. It is also recommended that a “deeper dive” into LS-related content come from dual enrollment opportunities, if possible. The LS course covers secondary educational needs adequately. To maximize student career preparation, engagement, and marketing it is suggested to offer courses similar to those listed below to complete the pathway.
Option 1 – Constitutional and Criminal Law (CCL)
This course provides an overview of constitutional and criminal law. Students will learn fundamental concepts and skills relevant to understanding the interaction between constitutional and criminal law, as well important concepts in our criminal justice system. Topics include the bill of rights, sources of law, legal research and writing, substantive criminal law, the US court system, mock trials, and more.
Visit our Constitutional and Criminal Law course page – with lesson plans – Click Here
Other Options
There are many options that local systems can review that may fit more appropriately.
Visit our courses page to see other course options – Click Here
Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) for the LS Pathway
Industry Provider – National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS)
The National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS) is dedicated to providing meaningful, cost effective education for all levels of legal office personnel. Learn more about NALS – nals.org
NALS and LAPSEN have been working together to provide the best offering in legal services training for secondary and post-secondary education. The certificate is professional level while the instruction is appropriate for high schools and colleges.
The ALP satiates all Perkins legislative requirements for Industry Recognized Credentials.
Learn more about the ALP – Click Here or email holly@lapsen.org
Legal service entities hire as young as 18 years old
Training
Instructors in the LS pathway need to have industry experience or training. If you have a specific training need email info@lapsen.org
Click Here to go to our Training Schedule
Be the Best
IADLEST – the national organization of state police certification agencies – together with LAPSEN have established a certification to identify the best in America working with youth interested in LPS careers.
Click Here to learn more.
Competitions
The LS pathway national CTSO is SkillsUSA. There is not an LS competition per se – but there are several competitions that students can choose from to participate in that support the SPS pathway content.
For more information visit www.skillsusa.org/competitions, lapsen.org/skillsusa-competitionsor reach out to info@lapsen.org
Trial Advocacy – Proposed New Contest
LAPSEN is working with SkillsUSA to offer a new contest that is a two student mini-mock trial. Several states offer this at their state contests. Learn more – click here.
To learn more about offering this in your state – email info@lapsen.org
Speaking - 2 Different Contests
Individual students can compete in one of two speech contests. Prepared speech is much like opening statements lawyers make! The topic is announced in the fall. Extemporaneous speech is similar to closing arguements as they are prepared right before delivery. Both are great ways to prepare for a legal career.
Entrepreneurship
A team event testing students’ knowledge in starting their own businesses by developing business plans that identify needed products or services in a local market. LS careers require business acumen.
Criminal Justice
This competition is a single competitor preparing to be officers or to work in other areas of criminal justice. Legal related content is a part of the contest.
Customer Service
The competition evaluates students’ proficiency in providing customer service. This is one of the highest valued skills sets sought by LS employers.
Career Pathways - Human Services
Student teams use their course of study as the basis of a project that will benefit their class, school, community or industry. There are endless possibilites for this contest related to legal services.
Job Skill Demonstration - 3 Contests
Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. “A” refers to skills taught in the pathway. “Open” is usually a skill learned in WBL or similar that is outside the pathway. “Action Skills” is for students with IEPs. In all cases, the skill should be hands on as it is a “demonstration.”
There are dozens more that cover everything from speeches to specifc skill sets.
Mock Trial
Many LS Programs participate in Mock Trial. LAPSEN supports the National High School Mock Trial Championship. We are exploring more options for partnership.
Click Here to learn more about mock trial competitions.
Student Recognition
Your students can be members of the National Technical Honors Society PLUS a special endorsement for achievement in law and public safety! Don’t have an NTHS – they are super easy to start and no extra work.
Click Here to learn more.
Programs of Excellence
The national Industry Credentialed Program of Excellence (ICPE) is designed to make the best better. Applicant programs must demonstrate competencies across several standards. LAPSEN specialists assist applicant programs throughout the process with training, guides and mentorship.
Click Here to learn more. Do YOU have the BEST program?
National Program Directory
The National Census of Youth Law Enforcement Programs was funded by the DOJ COPS grant program.
Search the directory for programs near you – Click Here
Is your program is in the directory? If not: Click Here
Links & Resources
Criminal Law Text from Open Textbook Library – FREE textbook. Aimed at intro course in college, but still useful. Click Here
Bill of Rights Institute – Free lesson plans and TONS of resources: Click Here
The Constitution Project – Free videos on legal rights and case law. Short in duration – they fit easily into discussions: Click Here
The Annenberg Classroom – Tons of free stuff, games, lessons, and videos on Con Law: Click Here
The Judicial Learning Center – Focused on courts and the Supreme Court. Excellent lessons and resources – Click Here
Legal Information Institute – Everything you need with Con Law, Law, SCOTUS, Civics and much more: Click Here
Trial Pro
The Best Resource for Teaching Objections!
Trial Pro works with LAPSEN LS Programs to offer their Trial Pro simulator and training materials at an amazingly affordable price.
Career Posters
Click Here to go to download folder
Support
These educators and industry specialist have volunteered to help you. They are your network of support.
TAGG Team Members
Click Here to learn more about TTAG
Liz Everidge
Learn more about Liz – Click Here for her Linkedin
Brief Bio: Click Here
Email Liz – Click Here
Liz has extensive experience in dispatch and emergency services. She has been teaching for two decades.