Course Information

Textbooks

Textbooks for the live lecture:

• Federal Civil Rules Booklet
• Introduction to Paralegalism, 6th edition, by William Statsky
• Basics of Legal Document Preparation, by Robert Cummins
• Paralegal Procedures and Practices, by Scott and Lisa Hatch
• Paralegal Career for Dummies, with CD of Forms, by Scott and Lisa Hatch

Textbooks for the online course:

• Federal Civil Rules Booklet
• Introduction to Paralegalism, 6th edition, by William Statsky
• Basic of Legal Document Preparation, by Robert Cummins
• Paralegal Procedures and Practices, by Scott and Lisa Hatch
• Paralegal Career for Dummies, with CD of Forms, by Scott and Lisa Hatch
• WESTLAW legal research access*

You must order books through the Center for Legal Studies at 1-800-522-7737. Visit legalstudies.com for more book information and pricing. Books should be ordered at least one week before the class begins.

Other: Highly recommended resources for all formats:

Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd pocket edition
WESTLAW legal research access*

*Student WESTLAW access through CLS lasts for the duration of the course (subject to terms and conditions). If you purchase WESTLAW access, you may forgo purchasing the Federal Civil Rules Booklet or the Utah State Rules of Court. WESTLAW access is required for the second half of the online format.

  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.

Domestic Relations, Wills and Trusts
In this session we will summarize the contractual nature of a marriage and learn about separation agreements, dissolution of marriage complaints, and final decrees of divorce. We will also study the basic guidelines for the preparation and execution of wills and codicils. Elements of trust instruments will also be covered.

Corporations, Partnerships, Contracts and Bankruptcy
During this final week, we will discuss the formation of corporations and their management and learn the difference among corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Basic principles of contract law will also be discussed with an emphasis upon the formalities required for the execution of an enforceable court contractual agreement. The terminology and procedures peculiar to the bankruptcy court will also be covered. Finally, job hunting techniques and job leads for those seeking their first employment as paralegals will also be discussed.