|
201 Introduction to Paralegal Studies (3)
Introduction to the study of law and the legal system; the legal assistant in the legal system; an overview of the skills of the paralegal including legal interviewing, investigation in the law office, law office administration, and litigation; legal trends, and professional ethics, including the unauthorized practice of law.
sample syllabus
302 Legal Research (3)
Introduction to the law library and the process of legal research, including computer assisted methods.
sample syllabus
303 Legal Writing (3)
Prerequisite: UPAR 302. Building on skills developed in Legal Research, students learn to analyze the law as it applies to specific facts, and to effectively communicate the conclusions resulting from legal research and analysis.
sample syllabus
305 Litigation I (3)
Introduction and detailed analysis of the litigation process in federal and state courts; jurisdiction and venue analysis; commencement of the lawsuit, including the initial client interview and investigation techniques and methods; the early pleadings, including the complaint and petition; the answer and other early objections, exceptions and motions; calendars and tickler systems; federal and state court systems and practice; discovery procedures including file management; management of document production; depositions and deposition summaries; overview of discovery devices and pleadings; summary judgments and other pre-trial matters. Lecture is supplemented with drafting practice.
sample syllabus
306 Litigation II (3)
Prerequisite: 305
Detailed analysis of and practice in discovery including fact research and drafting of interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admissions; subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum; deposition notices and discovery-related motions; evidence; trial preparation, including preparation of the trial notebook and trial brief; assistance at trial, including "second chair" responsibilities, standard jury instructions, arrangements for witnesses, summonses and subpoenas duces tecum; trial motions, summary judgments, motions in limine, pre-trial and post-trial orders; post-trial practice, including execution and filing; settlement/releases; supplemented with drafting practice.
sample syllabus
307 Computers in the Law Firm (3)
Prerequisite: CPST 100 – Introduction to Microcomputers
or equivalent course
Introduction to applications of computer technology within the law
firm, including the use of computers related to paralegal functions
in litigation support, legal research, case management, Internet
utilization, and e-mail.
sample
syllabus
401 Business and Corporate Practice
(3)
The sole proprietorship; partnerships; corporations, including
formation of corporations and amending Articles of Incorporation;
preparing drafts of stock certificates; maintaining stock ledgers;
drafting resolutions; agency law.
sample
syllabus
403 Louisiana Succession Practice (3)
Review of Louisiana substantive law of successions and donations including wills; drafting of simple wills; estate administration including the collection, legal description, and appraisement of assets; drafting of pleadings to probate will, appoint executor, pay estate debts, sell or lease estate property, and send heirs into possession of their inheritance; preparation of documents to transfer estate assets including automobiles and securities; preparation and filing of Louisiana Inheritance Tax Return and Federal Estate Tax Return.
sample syllabus
404 Real Property Practice (3)
Review of substantive law and history of real estate transactions, a compilation of initial information for real estate transactions, conducting a title search, preparation of preliminary abstract of title, title assurance, mortgages and transfer of ownership, the requisition of deeds and leases, preparation of preliminary opinion of title, and real estate closing procedures.
sample syllabus
405 Family Law (3)
Review of substantive law related to marriage, children,
and property; client interviews; preparation of pleadings for dissolution,
support and division of property; preparation of cases for trial;
supervision of case progress; drafting of property settlements and
tracing of assets; tax consequences of support and division of property;
future issues in family law.
sample
syllabus
407 Immigration Law Practice (3)
Introduction to fundamentals of immigration law, practice, and policy to include discussions on: history; terminology;
immigration forms; immigrant and nonimmigrant visas; citizenship & naturalization. There will also be brief discussions
on the enforcement aspects of immigration.
408 Criminal Law (3)
Review of basic principles of criminal law; criminal law
practice including court rules, prosecutorial functions, probation,
bail, and personal recognizance, sentencing, and alternative dispositions;
investigation and interviewing in criminal cases; preparation of
criminal cases for trial; constitutional limitations on criminal
procedure; juvenile courts and mental commitment procedures.
sample
syllabus
409 Administrative Practice (3)
This course teaches the rule-making and adjudicatory procedures in governmental agencies. The student will learn to analyze and apply statutes and specific acts such as the Freedom of Information Act and the Administrative Procedures Act. Many areas of specialty practice rely heavily upon an analysis and understanding of administrative regulations and application.
sample syllabus
410 Law Office Management (3)
Approaches to the organization and efficient operation of the law office, management problems in the law office, office structures and systems, accounting and billing procedures, hiring, scheduling, and management of non-attorney personnel, information storage and retrieval systems, forms libraries, office equipment, management of the law office library, purchasing of law office supplies, client relations.
sample syllabus
412 Admiralty Practice (3)
Review of substantive maritime law and its procedural application of federal and state regulations as related to preparation of documents required such as bills of lading, limitations of liability, marine insurance, personal injury rights and liabilities, salvage, ship mortgages, and domestic and foreign towage regulations.
sample syllabus
415 Commercial Law (3)
An introduction to the execution, validity and enforcement of contracts, mortgages, pledge assignments and other security devices, the law of checks and notes with emphasis on formal requirements and liabilities of parties and collection procedures.
sample syllabus
416 Legal Interviewing and Investigation (3)
This course is an in-depth study of principles, methods, and investigative techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and disseminate information. The emphasis will be on developing interviewing and investigative skills intended to prepare paralegals to communicate effectively while recognizing ethical problems.
sample syllabus
419 Legal Ethics in America (3)
An introduction to the professional and ethical dilemmas faced by practicing paralegals. Comparison of ethical rules and professional standards developed by the American Bar Association, adopted by Louisiana, and presented as guidelines by the two major paralegal associations. Emphasis is placed on analysis and research regarding ethical dilemmas.
sample syllabus
422 Insurance Law Practice (3)
423 Pro Bono Practice (3)
Introduction to service agencies utilizing paralegals in
pro bono publico work. Provide a comprehensive understanding of
these agencies and the task paralegals are expected to provide.
Emphasis is given to legal research and writing.
sample
syllabus
428 Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice (3)
Review of basic tort law and insurance law as it relates to personal injuries; assisting the lawyer in personal injury legal practice; factual investigation of intentional torts; preparation of pleadings and other papers in tort litigation; assisting in settlement negotiations; preparation of exhibits and organization of personal injury cases. Introduction to and detailed review of procedures in prosecuting and defending medical malpractice cases, review of Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act, burdens of proof and theories of recovery, defenses available, obtaining and analyzing the medical record, basic medical terminology, selection and utilization of the expert witness: pre-trial preparation and discovery, researching medical literature, how to use the medical library and computer databases, trial of the malpractice action.
sample syllabus
430 Louisiana Notary Law (3)
This course is an introduction to the general duties, powers and
law of a Notary Public. Upon completion of this course the student
should have an understanding of the law in Louisiana notaries in
the areas of matrimonial regimes, adoptions, emancipations, tutorships,
curatorships, interdictions, successions, wills, donations, real
estate, mortgages, security interests and formation of businesses.
sample syllabus
431 Employment Law (3)
An introduction to the practice of employment law with a review of relevant guiding principles. Identification of best practices in establishing,
maintaining and terminating the employment relationship. The emphasis will be on developing the ability to evaluate employment law claims and ethical
versus unethical practices, with attention to legal precedent and application of this understanding to real-world employment disputes.
sample syllabus
432 Healthcare Compliance (3)
This course is designed to provide paralegals with the skills necessary to assist lawyers who practice in the health-care field, the most regulated industry in the U.S., and one of the most durable job markets. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1) understand the legal/regulatory environment of health care, 2) perform legal research of federal regulations, 3) understand basic health care terminology, 4) recognize legal issues confronting physicians and healthcare organizations, and 5) identify potential ethical conflicts in the health-care area.
sample syllabus
499 Directed Study (1-3)
Prerequisite: Approval of director.
Individual study of a field project under the direction of a faculty member, the director, and/or a supervising attorney. May be counted toward fulfilling specialty requirements with approval of the director.
511 Environmental Law Seminar (3)
This course focuses on basic and practical information regarding environmental law and administrative procedures, including the role of the courts in controlling environmental decision-making, the economic and scientific constraints on environmental policy, preservation of natural areas, relationship with energy policy, and regulatory limitations within the federal system.
sample syllabus
550 Selected Topics (3)
Advanced research seminars addressing current trends in practice or developing legal theory. Classes are taught by lecture and may require
a research paper. Selected Topics is an intensive course intended for students nearing completion of the program and graduates continuing their
paralegal education. Recent topics include Insurance Practice, Class Actions, and Medical Records Analysis.
sample syllabus
590 Paralegal Practicum (3)
Prerequisite: Approval of director required.
The practicum (internship) gives students experience by requiring them to work, under the supervision of an attorney, for 100 hours in an approved legal setting. Students also meet in a classroom component throughout the semester in which they review ethics, professionalism, regulation, and job search skills. Upon completion of the practicum, students submit a paper outlining the duties undertaken during the practicum and an evaluation from their practicing attorney. Students may register for the practicum in their final semester in the program. A 2.0 grade point average is required for enrollment in the practicum. The practicum must be successfully completed; failure to obtain a passing grade after two attempts will result in dismissal from the program.
sample syllabus
 |
