WOL-101: Introduction
to the World of Law (4 weeks)
This
four-week introductory paralegal
course is designed to acquaint
the new student with the
basic realities of law practice.
Areas explored include: different
types of paralegal employment,
regulation of paralegals,
basic ethics, introduction
to the legal system, legal
analysis, interviewing, investigation,
use of computers in a law
office, and law office management.
Objectives:
- Understand
the responsibilities of
a paralegal in the workplace
- Describe
the career options available
for paralegals
- Read
and understand cases and
identify holdings
- Resolve
basic legal issues posed
by hypothetical problems
in the substantive areas
- Reason
by comparison and contrast
to differentiate or support
hypothetical fact patterns
from the governing rule
of law.
WOL-501: Ethics (4 weeks)
Paralegals,
like attorneys, must be knowledgeable
of the rules of ethics. This
course covers the basic principles
governing the ethical practice
of law for both lawyers and
paralegals. Subjects explored
include the unauthorized
practice of law, conflicts
of interest, confidentiality,
paralegal-client relations,
disciplinary procedures,
fee splitting, billing, advertising,
and misconduct in the law
office.
Objectives:
- Recognize
common ethical problems
confronting paralegals
- Understand
the universal concepts
of professional responsibility
- Explain
the differences between
the roles of paralegals
and attorneys
- Recognize
activities which, when
performed by a paralegal,
constitute the unauthorized
practice of law.
- Discuss
possible solutions to ethical
dilemmas
WOL-201: Legal Research and Writing
(4 weeks)
Perhaps the most important skills of any paralegal are writing, analysis, and legal research. A skilled writer is an extremely valuable asset to any law office. This workshop-style course is designed to hone the student's writing and thinking skills by concentrating on basic principles of legal writing and analysis. Students learn to use powerful research tools, including online facilities from Westlaw and traditional book-based methods. Students prepare a variety of legal documents and research various issues. Results are reviewed by the instructor and other students in an online setting. This is one of the great advantages of online learning: the fostering of a community where students can easily share their work product and ideas with their fellow students.
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of legal research and writing.
- Utilize research tools including online legal research databases and book based methods.
- Prepare a variety of legal documents.
- The Use of computers in a law office for non research tasks.
WOL-701: Civil Litigation (4 weeks)
The student gains a thorough understanding of the major aspects of civil litigation, managing a case from beginning to end, from client interview, through the drafting of a summons and complaint, motions, briefs, and trial preparation. The instructor takes the role of judge. Students also learn about the history and structure of the major court systems.
Objectives:
- Understand major aspects of civil litigation.
- Manage a case, from client interview, through the drafting of a summons, and complaint, motions, briefs and trial preparation.
- The history and structure of the major court systems.
This is a fascinating and eye-opening course that will prepare paralegals for careers in litigation and trial practice.
WOL-901: Business Organizations
(4 weeks)
This course provides the student with a basic understanding of business organizations. Corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, as well as LLP's and LLC's, are compared and contrasted. Students form a theoretical corporation, and prepare a number of documents including Articles of Incorporation, Partnership Agreement, By-laws, Minutes, and Shareholder's Agreements.
Objectives:
- Understand the application of the individual laws which regulate the particular business entities.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of business entities.
- Determine which business entity would be the most beneficial in different situations.
Apply
Online
