Law

Experience the legal system of another country. Law enforcement is an active field in Mexico with all citizens by law having the right to a fair trial and human treatment. The country has undergone major judicial reform since 2008 with changes including the presumption of innocence for defendants, the increase of authority for local police in regards to investigations, and other alterations to the system intended to speed up trials. Abating crime is one of the top priorities of the Mexican government allowing for placements to be made available in the fields of security and the courtroom.

Legal Administrative Assistant

Legal Assistant
  • Learn to prepare and key in correspondence and legal documents, such as deeds, wills, affidavits and briefs, from handwritten copy, shorthand and machine dictation using computers
  • Help review and proofread documents and correspondence to ensure compliance with legal procedures and grammatical usage
  • Assist with scheduling appointments, meetings and conferences for employer
  • Help maintain filing systems, utilizing knowledge of legal records and procedures and frequently controlling confidential materials and documents
  • Open and distribute regular and electronic incoming mail and other material and co-ordinate the flow of information internally and with other departments or organizations
  • Become familiar with general office procedures and routines
  • May attend court, meetings or conferences to take notes, minutes and dictation
  • May perform other general office work as required including preparing financial statements

Law and Criminal Justice

Police Car
  • Become familiar with how to advise clients of their legal rights and all matters related to law
  • Help research legal precedents and gather evidence
  • Observe how to plead clients' cases before courts of law, tribunals and boards (lawyers only)
  • Draw up legal documents such as real estate transactions, wills, divorces and contracts, and prepare statements of legal opinions
  • Help negotiate settlements of civil disputes (lawyers only)
  • Perform administrative and management functions related to the practice of law
  • May act as mediator, conciliator or arbitrator
  • May act as executor, trustee or guardian in estate and family law matters

Lawyers and notaries may specialize in specific areas of the law such as criminal law (lawyers only), corporate law, contract law, taxation law, administrative law, international law, commercial law, real estate law, family and estate law, intellectual property law and labour law.

Paralegal

Paralegal

Paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
  • Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
  • Learn to prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
  • Research records, court files and other legal documents
  • Review legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties

Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Observe the administration of oaths and the taking of affidavits and depositions
  • Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents
  • May help draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents
  • May learn how to arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons

Trademark agents perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Help advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks
  • Become familiar with how to advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights
  • Witness proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings
  • May learn how to represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys

Social Service Assistant

Conversation
  • Help review client background information, observe client interviews to obtain case history and help prepare intake reports
  • Learn to assess clients' relevant skill strengths and needs
  • Learn how to assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
  • Help assess and investigate eligibility for social benefits
  • Gain experience with social services and in how to assist clients in locating and utilizing community
  • resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
  • Learn how to counsel clients living in group homes and half-way houses, helping to supervise their activities and assist in pre-release and release planning
  • Participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
  • Participate in life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social services or health care professionals
  • Observe client meetings to assess their progress, give support and discuss any difficulties or problems
  • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients' behavioural changes and responses to interventions
  • Help advise and aid recipients of social assistance and pensions
  • Learn to provide crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
  • Assist with and help organize the delivery of specific services within the community
  • Help maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
  • Help co-ordinate the volunteer activities of human service agencies, health care facilities and arts and sports organizations
  • May maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research