Paralegal Studies (ABA Approved)

Be introduced to sources of American law and the systems by which the law is administered and enforced. Review the origins of law through the study of the U.S. Constitution and its development and adaptation into today's legal systems. Gain practical knowledge of the courts and their impact on everyday life.

Understand the written and oral communication skills utilized in the law office environment. Also learn the practical skills necessary to begin solving a legal problem. Legal writing skills, client interviewing techniques and the dynamics of verbal communication are emphasized.

Review the basic legal practice as it applies to business dealings. Topics include formation and interpretation of business organizations including corporations, exposure to commercial law, general and limited partnerships, and general concepts of transactional law and real estate practice. The material presented acquaints students with the logical thought process required to understand and work with the law. Format: This course is offered in an online asynchronous format. There are no set meeting times, however, students follow a weekly schedule and there will be deadlines to meet in terms...

Computer Essentials for the Legal Professional is designed to familiarize students with computer software applications used in the law firm setting. Students will learn fundamental concepts of word processing, spreadsheets, Adobe Professional, billing, and database software. Students will also use Internet-based applications, working with email, and learning how to browse the web for case-related matters. No course prerequisites are required, however, working knowledge of Windows-based applications is recommended. Mac users please be aware that you will experience formatting issues when...

Legal professionals are required to know and follow the ethical standards and rules of professional conduct in order to stay current with their profession. You will learn day-to-day application of these important standards and rules.

Receive a thorough overview of the civil litigation process. The first of a two course series, instruction will cover the procedures for preparing a case for trial, from prelawsuit investigation through trial. The focus is on procedures within state courts with some discussion of federal court procedure also. The course describes the paralegal's function during the litigation process and ways in which paralegals can expand their level of responsibility.

Learn the specific tools a litigation paralegal is required to master. As a follow-up to "Civil Litigation I", in this course you will take a case study and plan it, from filing a complaint to preparing it for trial. Participants will also organize a case for trial, learning how to summarize depositions, prepare joint disposition conference reports and organize information and documents. Additional topics include arbitration, settlement and mediation, as well as the litigation paralegal's role in pre-trial case preparation, trial and post-trial activities.

Learn the fundamental tools and skills involved in legal research and analysis. This course outlines the steps necessary to solve problems in California and Federal law through research. These steps include locating legal authority, reading and comprehending statutes and court decisions, interpreting legal authority and applying it to factual situations, and presenting the results in a memorandum of law.

Be introduced to the study of the law of evidence. The material covered in the class presents practical applications of the rules of evidence, primarily referring to the California Evidence Code and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Instruction highlights areas that are especially relevant to the paralegal practice.

Learn the practical skills and experiences that are critical to be an excellent paralegal. The course will center on launching a successful job search campaign. Best practices in career development and job search strategies will be covered, including resume preparation, self-marketing principles, networking, interviewing skills and career enhancement resources. Topics will also include principles of law firm profitability and the paralegal's role in the profit formula, and current licensing and ethical issues. Instruction includes interviewing and interpersonal skills.

This course presents basic concepts of administrative law and procedure for federal and state agencies, with emphasis on the paralegal's role in the administrative process. Students will learn both formal and informal advocacy techniques, including representing clients before administrative bodies. Topics include administrative delegation of power, rule making, agency discretionary powers, adjudication, and judicial review.

Disputes ranging from interpersonal conflicts to serious legal issues can be quickly and amicably resolved, without the expense and delay of a lawsuit, using the latest techniques of negotiation and dispute resolution. On an increasing basis, private individuals and businesses are using alternative dispute resolution because it is fast, economical and private. This course will provide an overview of the alternative dispute resolution processes, with a special focus on mediation and arbitration.

An introduction to the law of federal civil rights litigation, specifically looking at how federal civil rights cases are litigated and pled in court before administrative bodies, how the Fourth Amendment pertains to recent improper police and governmental actions, and how due process and property rights work to maintain fairness in employment. All taught from the unique perspective of a civil rights and former police attorney. Included in this course will be a dedicated module on the examination of civil rights through an in-depth analysis of law enforcement excessive force and “Black...

This interesting and timely course will introduce students to the vocabulary and important components of Homeland Security. You will learn the importance of the agencies associated with Homeland Security and their interelated duties and relationships. The course will also examine intelligence analysis and its indispensable relationship to the security management of terrorist attacks, man-made disasters and natural disasters. It also explores vulnerabilities of the national defense and private sectors, as well as the threats posed to these institutions by terrorists, man-made disasters, and...

Contract law permeates the entire field of civil practice. This course provides the student with both the theory of contracts and the practical skills needed in contract law. Instruction presents interesting and significant court cases for discussion, emphasizing a practical approach to understanding contracts. Topics include all major areas of contracts, including offer, acceptance, consideration, statute of frauds, third-party beneficiaries, performance, breach of contract and damages.

Business entities are formed, operated and dissolved. This course identifies the fundamental differences and characteristics of major business organizations such as sole proprietorships, partnerships (general, limited and professional) and corporations. Students will gain an understanding of and ability to apply the basic principles of agency law. By the end of the course, each participant will have prepared an example of corporate formation and minute book including stock ledger and important government filed papers.

Criminal Law and Procedure is a survey course covering the elements of many typical offenses in California and in other states. Some of these offenses include drug offenses, robbery, rape (and other sex offenses), burglary, murder, arson, and driving under the influence. You will be introduced to concepts in criminal law that will be illustrated with examples from actual cases. In addition, criminal procedure will be covered including: the prohibition against unreasonable searches; interrogation and confession; the right to counsel and confront witnesses; and the right to be free from cruel...

This course is designed to provide the paralegal with mastery of the fundamental tools and skills involved in discovery practice in both California and federal courts. You will explore the role of discovery in litigation, as well as understand the statutes governing discovery practice. In this course, you will be provided with a case study from which you will prepare for a deposition, as well as prepare for and respond to requests for admission, interrogatories, and requests for inspection of documents.

The Family Law Act of 1970 and the Family Code of 1994 have produced major changes in California domestic relations law and practice. This course covers theoretical and practical issues in family law, providing the necessary tools to analyze and resolve these issues. Beginning with commencement proceedings, instruction progresses through preliminary relief, child custody, support, visitation, division of marital property, trial preparation, trial, marital termination agreements, non-marital cohabitation, paternity, and other areas related to the overall concept of domestic relations.

Review the practical application of state and federal employment law. Topics include at-will employment and wrongful discharge; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; ADA; employee rights and intellectual property; wage and hour benefits; occupational health, safety, and workers’ compensation; reductions-in-force; alternative dispute resolution; labor relations; and corrective action and terminations. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will: 1. Give you a “glance” at a broad “menu” of employment law concepts. 2. Develop a framework of key state and federal...

Do you want to contribute productively to an attorney's practice in estate planning, estate administration, and conservatorships? This course presents the substantive background and problem-spotting skills necessary to enable a paralegal to do just that. Topics include wills, trusts, durable power of attorney, life insurance, joint tenancy, retirement benefits, summary administration, probate administration, trust administration, conservatorships, and applicable tax laws.

Students will be introduced to the basic legal principles relating to immigration into the U.S., learning how to analyze immigration options for intending immigrants, and acquiring a working knowledge of the use of immigration forms in an immigration law practice. Topics to be covered include non-immigrant visitor, student and business visa options, immigrant business visa options, family immigration, asylum, criminal aspects of immigration law, and employer sanctions (form I-9 compliance).

Discover the most commonly encountered problems when preparing and drafting documents for real estate transactions and learn how to solve them. Fundamental principles of real estate law, including ownership, sale, leasing, financing, & government regulation are surveyed. Instruction covers practical and procedural tasks involved in California real property law, including drafting and reviewing basic documents such as deeds, promissory notes, deeds of trust, purchase and sale agreements, and residential and commercial leases. Remedies available to secured parties in real estate financing...

A tort is a civil wrong which is remedied by compensation to the injured party. You will learn what constitutes a tort in this course, including intentional acts and negligent acts such as personal injury and what is the appropriate course of action when someone has been harmed.