PARALEGAL STUDIES
PARALEGAL STUDIES
- COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The paralegal field is highly rewarding for those who seek to be a part of the justice system. On a daily basis, the paralegal is the lawyer’s right hand. From the perspective of the law, paralegals are almost like junior lawyers in so far as they must know a lot of what the lawyers know as they will create and present documents for execution upon their lawyer’s approval. Paralegals are detail-oriented people, and they will follow up on communications, confirm court dates, check client backgrounds, smooth client relations, help law office to law office relations, and check every detail and every reference in all of their lawyer’s documents. In addition, they’ll research applicable laws and case references, prepare all court documents, and generally keep their lawyer moving forward.
Trial paralegals also prepare the case interrogatories, file with opposing counsel for discovery, prep the client for deposition and accompany the attorney to court. Although the work is quite detailed, in practice, a paralegal’s work is anything but secretarial and many have equal use of their attorney’s secretary. Some paralegals also have legal assistants [junior paralegals] to whom they delegate details of their responsibilities.
This introductory Paralegal Studies course is designed to give you information you need to become a successful paralegal. It will take you through a survey of what is needed to become a paralegal, how you may choose to go about it, all of the business details which are generally not known until you are within a firm, and some of the social skills and information you will need to survive and thrive in a firm. If you already have your paralegal certification, then this course will be beneficial if you are seeking your first firm position. You will get an insider’s scoop on common mistakes and pitfalls, and you will know how to avoid or overcome common faux pas.
- COURSE OBJECTIVES
By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Define what a paralegal is.
- Describe language and business philosophy that brings favor from attorneys.
- Summarize how to get along with your interoffice competition.
- Summarize priorities and management styles.
- Describe research, attorney support and Lexis Nexis.
- Describe email, phone calls and filing procedures.
- Summarize client relations and office to office relations.
- Describe attorney/client privilege and your role in it.
- Summarize office politics, downsizing and firm mergers.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
- Describe attorneys, attitudes, egos and your managing attorney.
- Describe language and business philosophy that brings favor from attorneys.
- Describe things paralegals get burned over – protocol and scapegoats.
- COURSE OUTLINE
Paralegal 101 – Introduction to Law
Provides an overview of the legal system and practices of the legal profession, including paralegals, in the United States while introducing legal concepts, terms, and theories.
Paralegal 104 – Contract Law
Examines contract law, including formation of contracts, statute of frauds, third-party rights and remedies, liability for breach of contract, and the Uniform Commercial Code.
Paralegal 105 – Tort Law
Introduces tort law including the study of negligence, strict liability, and intentional torts.
Paralegal 106 – Legal Analysis & Writing
Examines the processes of analysis and writing found within the legal profession, including preparation of legal memoranda.
Paralegal 107 – Legal Ethics
Examines legal ethics and rules of professional responsibility, including unauthorized practices of law, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and advice and solicitation, as they affect legal professionals.
Paralegal 108 – Legal Research and Computerized Legal Research
Covers legal research tools (hard copy and computer databases) and strategies, including primary authority (cases, statutes, regulations, and constitution) and secondary authority.
Paralegal 109 – Legal Technology
Presents the specific software applications and document preparation processes used in the legal profession. Familiarity with computer keyboarding and the Windows operating system is assumed.
Paralegal 111 – Civil Litigation I
Examines the basic functions and procedures found within a civil law office, including pre-suit considerations, jurisdiction, initial pleadings, challenges to and amending the pleadings, calendaring deadlines for pleadings and challenges to pleadings, and review of legal ethics.
Paralegal 112 – Civil Litigation II
Continues the examination of the basic functions and procedures found within a civil law office, including discovery tools, calendaring discovery and trial deadlines, preparation for motion for summary judgment, trial and appeal, and the review of legal ethics.
Paralegal 140 – Bankruptcy
Overview of the basic functions, procedures, and ethics involved when examining various forms of bankruptcy law. Introduces the techniques of intake, preparation, and filing of the necessary forms to resolve bankruptcy cases.
Paralegal 150 – Family Law
Introduces students to the fundamentals of family law.
Paralegal 180 – Estate Planning
Focuses on the preparation of wills, trusts, life insurance, annuities, tax issues and administration after death.
Paralegal 200 – Paralegal Seminar
Provides the capstone course for the Paralegal Program. Students will review rules of ethics, write resumes, create portfolios, practice interviewing techniques, and develop skills necessary for employment as a paralegal, while participating in a seminar setting.
The Admission Director
AFRICA INSTITUTE FOR CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT (AICD)
HEAD OFFICE:
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Gauteng. SOUTH AFRICA
Telephone : +27 733797377
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Email:info@aicdtraining.com
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SADC Institute of Commerce and Industrial Practice
Gauteng. SOUTH AFRICA