INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM
This course provides a detailed overview of the American legal system: its structures, its substance, and its terminology. The nature and function of the legal process as well as the roles of the paralegal and legal secretary are also examined. Additionally, discussion focuses on the ethics of the legal profession based largely on principles promulgated by the American Bar Association.
LEGAL RESEARCH AND LEGAL WRITING I
This course provides the students with a working knowledge of major resource books available in a law library. Students are taught the practical approach to finding and interpreting administrative regulations and statutes and to researching and analyzing case law. This course lays the foundation for the intensive case analysis and research that are to follow in Legal Research and Legal Writing II.
LEGAL ETHICS
This course provides the student with a clear understanding of the concepts and rules that govern the practice of legal ethics. Topics include the unauthorized practice of law, advocacy, the duty of confidentiality, conflicts of interest, advertising and solicitation, and competency. The four major ethical codes applicable to legal assistants are analyzed. A conscious quest for professionalism is emphasized.
CLIENT INTERVIEW AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The focus of this course is on learning techniques that can be used to become an effective interviewer and communicator when dealing with clients. Students have the opportunity to practice the techniques and receive and give constructive feedback.
LITIGATION
This course offers a basic understanding of civil litigation and the functions and operations of the state and federal court systems. Students learn the basic principles of pleading, discovery, motions, court orders, and judgments. Drafting of the necessary litigation documents is emphasized.
LEGAL COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
This course provides the students with the essential background and knowledge they need to understand computer technology and applications. This course examines how computers are utilized in law offices, as well as hardware and software. Special attention is given to time-management software and billing software.
CONTRACTS
This course is designed to teach students the legal concepts of contract law. Students learn the basic requirements, performance, and remedies of a contract.
REAL ESTATE LAW
Students study the law of real property and of common types of real estate transactions and conveyances such as deeds, leases, mortgages, and contracts of sale. Students gain a working knowledge of title searches and a thorough understanding of closing procedures.
CIVIL PROCEDURE
This course provides the students with detailed overviews of the major forms for the process of dispute resolution: civil procedure, administrative procedure, and criminal procedure, as well as the process of constitutional adjudication. The focus is on (1) the evolution and development of procedural rules; (2) broader jurisprudential questions concerning the nature of litigation, due process, and constitutional adjudication of public values; and (3) detailed exploration of actual cases to provide vivid litigation experience. The emphasis in this course is on the legal procedures to which substantive legal rules are applied.
DOMESTIC RELATIONS/FAMILY LAW
In this course students gain an understanding of the legal aspects of marriage, divorce, annulment, custody and support, adoption, guardianship, and paternity. Students learn to handle client interviews and to draft necessary pleadings and other supporting documents.
TORT LAW
In this course, students become familiar with all aspects of tort law and the handling of civil cases. Topics include negligence, strict liability, product liability, intentional torts, and the various forms of damages.
LEGAL RESEARCH AND LEGAL WRITING II
This course is designed to familiarize the students with the legal system and the sources of law generated by each branch of government. The course should enable the student to undertake, with the supervision of an attorney, research assignments in which they research and write memorandums, briefs, and other legal documents, while accurately citing research sources.
COMMERCIAL LAW
This course is designed to teach students the legal concepts pertaining to substantive business law. A primary objective of the course is to expand student awareness of legal rights in business transactions. Students learn the laws dealing with commercial paper, sales, agency, personal property, secured transactions, and proper usage of legal terminology as applied to business transactions.
CRIMINAL LAW
This course provides an understanding of the criminal justice system. It explores substantive and procedural aspects of criminal law and provides a working knowledge of the nature of various crimes, potential charges, and penalties. The students learn to prepare the necessary pleadings and other documents in order to assist and participate with the attorney in the administration of the criminal justice system.
ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
This course provides a general overview of the basic laws relating to probate, wills, and estates. Students analyze estate, administrative, and fiduciary accounting principles and study the organizational and jurisdictional laws of the probate courts.
BANKRUPTCY LAW
This course is designed to teach students the two main goals of bankruptcy law. The first is to provide relief and protection to debtors. The second is to provide a fair means of distributing a debtor's assets among all creditors. Discussion will, therefore, include the protection of rights for both debtor and creditor.
LEGAL EXTERNSHIP
This course provides the students with an opportunity to gain practical work experience under the supervision of an attorney or experienced paralegal through 270 hours of actual work experience. The students must submit written reports describing their experiences. The students are evaluated by their supervisor at the conclusion of the externship. The students are also required to compile and maintain a notebook of legal documents they have drafted throughout their work experience.
