Law Office Management/Technology
This course provides an overview of law office management and organization. Topics include office forms, filing systems, billing/time keeping, computersystems, calendar systems, library administration, case management, office/personnel procedures, ethics, and technology. Upon completion, students should be able to establish and maintain various law office systems, monitor case progress, and supervise non-lawyer personnel.
Law Office Writing
This course covers the basics of writing for the law office including the drafting of general correspondence, the briefing of cases, and the preparation of settlement brochures. Emphasis is placed on legal vocabulary in the context of letter writing, briefing judicial opinions, and the preparation of the settlement brochure. Upon completion, students should be able to draft letters to clients, opposing counsel, government entities, and insurance companies and prepare the settlement brochure.
Elder Law
This course provides an overview of laws especially relevant to older persons. Topics include health care decision-making, living wills, powers of attorney, financial and estate planning, government benefits, housing issues, elder abuse, and ethical considerations. Upon completion, students should be able to assist an attorney in addressing legal issues pertinent to the elderly.
Ethics & Professionalism
This course reinforces legal ethics and the role of the paralegal in a professional work environment. Topics include a review of ethics, employment opportunities, and search techniques; paralegal certification; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to understand the paralegal’s role in the ethical practice of law.
Wills, Estates, & Trusts
This course covers various types of wills, trusts, probate, estate administration, and intestacy. Topics include types of wills and execution requirements, caveats and dissents, intestate succession, inventories and accountings, distribution and settlement, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to draft simple wills, prepare estate forms, understand administration of estates including taxation, and explain terms regarding trusts.
Family Law
This course covers laws governing domestic relations. Topics include marriage, separation, divorce, child custody, support, property division, adoption, domestic violence, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to interview clients, gather information, and draft documents related to family law.
Real Property I
This course introduces the study of real property law. Topics include the distinction between real and personal property, various estates, mechanics of conveyance and encumbrance, recordation, special proceedings, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify estates, forms of deeds, requirements for recording, and procedures to enforce rights to real property.
Criminal Law & Procedure
This course introduces substantive criminal law and procedural rights of the accused. Topics include elements of state/federal crimes, defenses, constitutional issues, pre-trial and trial process, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain elements of specific crimes and assist an attorney in preparing a criminal case.
