Courses

This course provides an introduction to the legal system and the paralegal profession. It includes the roles and professional responsibilities of the paralegal and other professionals in the legal system and outlines the fields and specializations within the practice of law. It provides an overview of the functions of the legal system and an introduction to legal research, writing, ethics, and the law library.

This course provides an integrated introduction to legal research and writing. Students will learn to use a law library, perform legal research, analyze legal problems, and communicate research findings in the proper written format. Students will learn to locate and use both primary and secondary legal research sources, including federal and state cases, digests, statutes, regulations, treatises, encyclopedias, law reviews, citators, and practice works. Students will be introduced to computer-based legal research tools.

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively and ethically assist an attorney in litigation practice and procedure. Students will learn the principles of civil litigation in federal and state courts and will be introduced to the rules of procedure and discovery. The course addresses pre-trial practice, pretrial motions, trial preparations, basics of a civil trial, post-trial motions and appeals. The role of the paralegal during trials will also be addressed.

This course is designed to instruct students in the use of common office software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe, sample computer software applications used within the law office and requires students to produce routine law office documents such as pleadings and correspondence. Students will gain practical experience with legal timekeeping and billing software, case management and docket control software, and litigation support software that includes electronic filing and electronic discovery.

This course provides an introduction to Real Estate law and practice. Topics include property rights, types of land ownership, purchases and sales of real property, land use regulations, and issues in the landlord-tenant relationship. The course examines the role of the paralegal in relation to the supervising attorney and prepares the student to draft deeds, contracts, and leases.

This course provides an in-depth, hands on training in practical legal writing with a special focus on document preparation, transactional documents, use of form books and everyday law office writing, including the preparation, research, and drafting of pleadings, forms, and motions. This course will draw from many areas of law.

This course presents basic concepts of administrative law and procedure in federal and state agencies, with emphasis on the paralegal role in the administrative process. Students will learn both formal and informal advocacy techniques, including representing clients before administrative bodies. Substantive topics will include administrative delegation of power, rule making, agency discretionary powers, remedies, and judicial review. Procedural topics include agency operation, adjudication, preparation for hearings, and administrative and judicial review.

This course provides an overview of estate administration and the role of the probate paralegal. The course examines the entire process of planning for and administering a decedent's estate, from opening the estate and appointment of a fiduciary to filing of final account and distribution of assets. The differences between the use of a will (testate succession) to ensure the orderly transfer of a decedent's property and the failure to have a will (intestate succession) are highlighted. The student will learn how to gather information and prepare documents for testate and intestate estates along with aspects of elder law.

This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge and practical skills they have acquired through the program and apply them in a real-world setting. Students will complete activities and projects in preparation for seeking professional employment such as a job market presentation, informational interview of a paralegal, mock interviews, cover letters, resumes and using social media for professional networking. Students will complete a minimum of 24 hours of service learning activities in an instructor-approved setting relating to the practice of law or complete a project consistent with the goals of the course.

This course is an exit requirement for all students completing the Legal Studies (LGL) Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and certificate program. Students will be assessed as to the knowledge and entry level skills they have attained in the legal studies program. Basic skills, thinking skills and personal qualities will be evaluated as they relate to a legal professional career by way of portfolio and quizzes. This course will further prepare students to successfully complete national competency exams for special certifications and designations while providing an opportunity for consistent assessment of program goals. A comprehensive final exam is required.