Paralegal/Legal Asst/Adm (PLA)

An overview of the US legal system, including courts, lawyers and related professionals in the criminal and civil systems. Examines the role of law in modern society as well as fundamental legal concepts and principles.

Practical approach to advanced level of research and writing in the legal profession. Student will utilize both manual and computer assisted research tools to locate legal authority and properly cite same. Writing exercises required. Student will take positions and cite legal authority supporting and opposing positions. New course equivalent: PLA 4116 effective 201408.

Advanced civil courtroom techniques, procedures and law. Topics include research, interviewing techniques, preparing and organizing courtroom materials, compiling documentary evidence, applying investigative procedures and taking effective courtroom notes. Equivalent course: PLA 3203 (ended term 201501).

Students learn various elements of trial court practice including building a foundation for understanding post-trial appellate process. Students focus on trial court techniques and participate in mock trial exercises to develop practice skills of factual analysis, evaluation of materiality, relevance and reliability and facility with rules of evidence. Students will understand the components of formulating a coherent legal argument for presentation to the court.

Overview of alternative methods of dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, negotiations and appointment of a special master. Special emphasis is made on mediation due to its extensive application in the US, esp. Florida. Mock exercises required.

Covers basic principles of liability for harm caused to another’s person or property. Topics include the basic elements of a plaintiff’s case: duty, breach of duty, actual and proximate causation and damages; types of tortious conduct (negligence, intentional torts, etc.), defendant’s privileges and defenses to claims of tortious conduct (self defense, assumption of risk), and the principles that justify limiting liability.

An examination of the formation and enforceability of legally binding contracts. Topics include protection of economic interests as a part of reciprocal exchanges, legal rules and regulations, duties and responsibilities, public policy concerns, and bargaining in the context of contract principles.

Five primary areas of interest: corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, joint ventures, and agency law. Students determine the organization or interest to best suit their clients' needs and prepare the appropriate forms for each. Agency law and its impact on each of these organizations are also discussed.

Introduction to ethical dilemmas faced by both legal assistants and attorneys. Ethical rules developed by the American Bar Association will identify methods for researching answers to ethical dilemmas through examples and group participation.

Principles of organization and management, management styles, communications process, utilization of legal assistants, management of office employees, office environment, office systems, office functions, financial management, records management and ethical considerations.

Study of the law of family relations, including the study of separation, divorce, domestic violence, child neglect, paternity, adoption, custody and court procedures applicable to each. Ethical considerations are also discussed.

Employment law study affords exposure to policy, practice and procedure. Primary sources of law are contract and constitutional law principles. Emphasis is on the influence of social relations on workplace terms and conditions of employment. Federal and state laws apply in this realm of legal process as well as administrative regulations. Attention is paid to workplace discrimination as well as social policies on family relationships relating to the hiring, managing and discharge of participants in the labor force, both private and public sector.

Overview of issues related to aging including age discrimination; nursing home/assisted living facility abuse or neglect; social security and other state or company related administered complaints; and probate health care issues.

A study of the interconnectedness of law and a global society. Examines the rule of law and its impact on economic, social, cultural, environmental, political, governmental, and legal aspects of globalization. Examination of international agreements, claims, and actions.

Study of wills, trusts, estates, and probate administration, including proper drafting of documents.

Student will prepare documents and forms relating to commercial and residential real estate transactions including deeds; purchases and sales; leases; affidavits; condominium associations; title abstracts and insurance; and financing and funding principles.

Immigration law study affords exposure to policy, practice and procedure. Primary sources of law are statutory and administrative with emphasis on history, legal foundations, jurisdiction and regulation. Criminal justice, family law and social policies are explored in context of economic and social motivations for permitting entry and naturalization of non-citizens.

Analysis of civil rights and liberties in the US, including judicial review process, implied powers, three branches of government, substantive and procedural due process, equal protection, civil rights, criminal procedure, freedom of speech and religion.

Research under direction of faculty member in area of legal studies.

Various upper level topics in the field of legal studies.

Placement with agency for field experience.