Course Information

Textbooks

Textbooks for the live lecture and online courses

• Paralegal Career for Dummies, by Scott and Lisa Hatch
• Paralegal Certificate Course Workbook, by Margaret J. Kirk
• Introduction to Paralegalism, by William Statsky
• Federal Civil Rules Booklet
• A Uniform System of Citation (aka "The Bluebook"), most recent edition
• Westlaw Subscription (Westlaw is a subscription to an online law library)*

*Student WESTLAW access through CLS lasts for the duration of the course (subject to terms and conditions).

Other: Highly recommended resources for all formats:

• Oran's Dictionary

Ordering Books

You must order books through the Center for Legal Studies at 1-800-522-773777. Visit legalstudies.com for more book information and pricing. Books should be ordered at least one week before the class begins.

Course Outline

Legal Terminology, documents, ethics and the Litigation Process
This first session focuses on the history of American jurisprudence, the theory of the law, the legal process, and the nature of litigation. Discussion will cover pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures as well as in-depth coverage of legal ethics. Students will learn how to prepare a Complaint, Answer, Third Party Complaint, and Motion for Summary Judgment based upon tort and contract causes of action.

Introduction to the Evidenciary Predicate
During this session we will review the rules of evidence and civil procedure as well as basic interviewing and investigation techniques and the development and use of demonstrated evidence. Students will prepare discovery matter such as Interrogatories, Requests for Admissions, and Requests for Production of Documents.

Identify Relevant Authority
Throughout this session you will learn how to identify relevant law and determine the difference between primary and secondary and mandatory and persuasive authority through the use of hypothetical situations.

Introduction to Legal Research
During this session you will learn research techniques for use in legal memoranda, motions, and briefs. A concise approach to legal research and the West key number system will also be discussed.

Legal Research Practice
Legal research skills will be reviewed during this session with emphasis on shepardizing statutes and case law and an introduction to computerized legal research. Numerous research assignments will be given, discussed, and critiques.

Legal Writing and Principles of Appellate Procedure
This session will concentrate on the preparation and critique of legal memoranda, including an interoffice memorandum lf law and appellate procedure. Fundamentals of efficient law office administration will also be discussed with an emphasis on timekeeping records and file management techniques.