Legal Services

The Legal Services program at West Florida High School is designed to prepare students for employment in the legal field. Upon completion of this program, students will possess valuable skills enabling them to go to work in clerical and administrative positions or to continue their legal studies at a postsecondary school and become paralegals or attorneys. Private law firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate firms, title insurance firms, and banks may employ students completing this program.

Students with good organizational and analytical skills, keyboarding and computer skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills will be successful in this program. Successful Legal Services students are reliable, discrete, efficient, objective, diplomatic, and responsible.

Four Year Career Plan

9th Grade Blueprint for Professional Success
Business Systems & Technology
10th Grade Administrative Office Technology 1
Business Software Applications
11th Grade Legal Aspects of Business
Legal Office Technology 1
12th Grade Legal Office Technology 2
Legal Office Technology 3
ACE Program

Curriculum

Legal Terminology Legal Transcription
Legal Writing Ethics
Legal Management Software Preparation of Legal Document
Legal Records Management Advanced Office XP
Legal Office Procedures

Future Business Leaders of America

Membership and participation in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is an integral part of the Legal Services curriculum. FBLA is the largest student business organization in the country. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through leadership and career development programs. FBLA members develop leadership skills, participate in local, district and state conferences and competitions, participate in community service projects, develop friendships across the district and the state, and qualify for scholarships and awards.

MOUS Certification

The Legal Services Program includes advanced Microsoft Office training. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared for and encouraged to take the Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certification examination. The MOUS certification program recognizes individuals who have accomplished a certain level of mastery with Microsoft Office software and measures proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. MOUS Certification provides potential employers with a qualitative measurement of an employee's skills and is a valuable credential recognized worldwide as proof that an individual has the computer skills needed to work productively and efficiently.

Employment Opportunities

Upon completion of this program, students will possess valuable skills enabling them to go to work in clerical and administrative positions in law firms, real estate and title insurance firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, and banks.

Post Graduate Studies

Legal Services students may choose to continue their legal studies at a postsecondary school and become paralegals or attorneys. The Legal Services program has an articulation agreement with Pensacola Junior College allowing students to earn a maximum of 15 college credits.

Contact Information

Susan Shockley
Legal Services Program
West Florida High School
2400 Longleaf Drive
Pensacola, Florida
941-6200, ext. 2394
sshockley@escambia.k12.fl.us