Paralegal Professional

900 Hours / 12 Months / Mentor Supported

Course Overview:

Paralegal: An Introduction makes the paralegal field come alive for the student. It uses real-world examples, offering practical applications for each concept discussed. In this course each student will gain a thorough introduction to not only the legal system in general but also to specific areas of the law and the paralegal's integral role as a member of the legal team.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend the job description and classifications of the paralegal profession
• Comprehend law ethics, the categories of law, and the court system
• Define the steps involved in various legal procedures
• Identify the key elements of the law
• Identify the different types of law

The Paralegal: Intermediate course provides you with comprehensive, up-to-date information on the use of technology by paralegals in all types of legal organizations. It describes basic computer concepts as well as more complex skills and software programs.

This course covers important topics such as an updated discussion of electronic discovery, Internet legal/factual research, legal timekeeping and billing, litigation support software, and case management and docket control software. A variety of other topics are covered including Westlaw Next, Google Scholar, mobile computing, document management, security, ethics, the electronic courthouse and many other trends in legal computing.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Type quickly and correctly
• Comprehend the use of computers in the law office
• Identify types of spreadsheets, legal timekeeping, and billing software used in the law office
• Identify types of databases and litigation support software used in the law office
• Define the types of technology used in the courtroom

Become engaged in the study of the law and what it means to a Paralegal. This course discusses how various aspects of the law affect the individual, filling a void for those looking to learn about many of the personal law issues that confront people in their everyday lives.

Our Paralegal: Advanced course uses hypothetical and real examples to illustrate important points of the law and to inspire insight. This course also incorporates extensive coverage of ethical issues and the law. Students will learn about international and comparative law in order to give the student essential knowledge for today's global marketplace.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Type quickly and correctly
• Comprehend the use of computers in the law office
• Identify types of spreadsheets, legal timekeeping, and billing software used in the law office
• Identify types of databases and litigation support software used in the law office
• Define the types of technology used in the courtroom

Course Outline:

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 1
The Paralegal Profession

• What Do Paralegals Do?
• Paralegal Skills & Attributes
• The Future of Paralegalism
• Career Opportunities
• Paralegal Specialties
• Paralegal Compensation
• Planning Your Career
• Marketing Your Skills
• The Inner Workings of the Law Office
• Organizational Structure
• Employment Policies
• Filing Procedures
• Financial Procedures
• Law Office Culture & Politics

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 2
Ethics, the Law & the Court System

• The Regulation of Attorneys
• Attorney Ethics & Paralegal Practice
• Regulation of Paralegals
• The Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Sources of American Law
• Case Law & the Common Law Tradition
• Constitutional Law
• Statutory Law
• Administrative Law
• National & International Law
• Basic Judicial Requirements
• State Court System
• The Federal Court System
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 3
Legal Procedures

• Researching Case Law
• Finding Relevant Cases
• The Case Reporting System
• Analyzing Case Law
• Researching Constitutional & Statutory Law
• Analyzing Statutory Law
• Researching Administrative Law
• Online Legal Research
• Free Legal Resources on the Internet
• Lexis & Westlaw
• alternative Online Programs
• Conducting Online Research
• Legal Writing
• The Importance of Good Writing Skills
• Pleadings and Discovery
• General Legal Correspondence
• The Legal Memorandum

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 4
Paralegal Skills & Legal Procedures

• Civil Litigation
• Preliminary Investigation
• The Pleadings
• Pretrial Motions
• Traditional Discovery Tools
• The Duty to Disclose
• Planning the Interview
• Interviewing Clients
• Interviewing Witnesses
• Planning & Conducting Investigations
• Preparing for Trial
• Jury Selection
• The Trial
• Posttrial Motions & Procedures
• Criminal Law & Procedures
• Elements of Criminal Liability
• Types of Crimes
• Constitutional Safeguards
• Criminal Procedures & Trial

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 5
Key Elements of the Law

• The Basis of Tort Law
• Intentional Torts
• Negligence
• Cyber Torts
• Strict Liability
• Product Liability
• Consumer Law
• Contracts & Intellectual Property Law
• Requirements to Form a Valid Contract
• Defenses to Contract Enforceability
• Sales Contracts & Warranties
• Electronic Contracting
• Intellectual Property Law
• Real Property Law
• Insurance Law

Paralegal: An Introduction Module 6
Additional Types of Law 

• Family Law
• Wills, Trusts, & Estates
• Forms of Business Organization
• Agency Law
• Employment Law
• Family & Medical Leave
• Workers' Compensation Laws
• The Bankruptcy Code
• The Bankruptcy Trustee
• Liquidation Proceedings
• Individual Repayment Plans
• Filing the Petition
• Confirmation of the Plan
• Reorganizations
• Debtor in Possession
• Environmental Law
• Federal Regulation of the Environment

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 1
Typing Practice & Improvement

• Pre-Test Your Typing Ability
• Finger Positioning Exercises
• Typing Practice Games
• Typing Progress Tracking
• Improve Your Typing Skills
• Increase Your Typing Speed

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 2
Overview of Computers in the Law Office

• Introduction to Computers and the Law
• Elementary Computer Concepts
• Specific Law Office Applications of Computer Software
• How Computers Can Help the Legal Assistant
• Legal Technology Trends
• Legal Ethics and Computer Technology

• Centralized and Decentralized Word Processing Systems
• Legal Word-Processing Programs
• Legal Word-Processing Fundamentals
• PDF File Creation
• Document Assembly Programs
• Word Processing in the Legal Environment

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 3
Spreadsheet Software, Legal Timekeeping & Billing Software

• What is a Spreadsheet?
• "What If" Analysis
• Structure and Organization
• Spreadsheet Fundamentals
• Spreadsheet Planning
• Spreadsheets in the Legal Environment
• Introduction to Timekeeping and Billing
• Manual versus Computerized Billing Systems
• The Computerized Timekeeping and Billing Process
• Kinds of Legal Fee Agreements
• Legal Expenses
• Timekeeping and Billing for Legal Assistants
• Functions of a Successful Billing System
• Computerized Timekeeping and Billing
• Integrating Timekeeping and Billing
• Accounting, and Case Management
• What to Look for in Timekeeping and Billing Software
• Billing from the Corporate and Government Perspective
• The Ethics of Timekeeping and Billing

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 4
Databases, Docket Control Software & Electronic Discovery

• What is a Database?
• How Databases Are Used in Law Offices
• Calendaring, Docket Control, and Case Management
• Introduction to Docket Control / Case Management
• Manual Docket Control
• Types of Computerized Docket Control Systems
• Overview of Computerized Legal Case Management and Docket Control
• Implementing Case Management Systems--Why They Fail
• The Docket Cycle
• Electronic Discovery
• Electronically Stored Information
• Electronic Discovery Overview
• The Electronic Discovery Process
• The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Electronically Stored Information
• Producing and Receiving ESI

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 5
Litigation Support Software & Computer-Assisted Legal Research

• Information and Documents to Be Tracked in Litigation
• Why Litigation Support?
• Manual Litigation Support Methods
• Overview of Computerized Litigation Support
• Types of Computerized Litigation Support Systems
• The Litigation Support Process
• Litigation Support Tips
• Questions and Fears about Computerized Litigation Support
• Introduction to the Internet
• Use of the Internet in Legal Organizations
• Searching for and Finding Information on the World Wide Web
• Performing Legal Research on the Internet
• Problems with Researching on the Internet
• CALR: Online Legal Databases
• Fee-Based Computer-Assisted Legal Research Services
• WESTLAW & LexisNexis
• Other CALR Fee-Based Service Providers
• Increased Productivity on CALR Systems
• Legal Organization Web Pages
• Legal Organization Intranets and Extranets

Paralegal: Intermediate Module 6
The Electronic Courthouse, Automated Courtroom, and Presentation Graphics

• The Electronic Courthouse
• The Automated Courtroom
• Overview of Presentation and Trial Presentation Software
• Creating Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint
• Courtroom Presentation Tips
• Presentation Graphics in the Legal Environment

Paralegal: Advanced Module 1
Introduction to the Law

• The English Source of U.S. Law
• Modern Sources of U.S. Law
• Types & Classifications of Law
• The Relationship Between Law & Ethics
• Using Court Cases
• Constitutional Law
• Judicial Review
• Separation of Powers
• The National Government
• What is Federalism?
• The Police Power
• The Bill of Rights
• Freedom of Speech & Religion
• Unreasonable Searches
• Due Process of Law
• Affirmative Action
• The Right to Privacy

Paralegal: Advanced Module 2
The Court System & The Attorney

• What is Trial Court?
• Appellate Court
• Understanding Jurisdiction
• The State Court System
• The Federal Court System
• Trial Proceedings
• The Adversarial System
• Attorneys-at-Law
• Professional Ethics
• Hire & Fire an Attorney
• Legal Malpractice
• Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Paralegal: Advanced Module 3
Administrative Law & Crimes

• What is Administrative Law?
• History of U.S. Administrative Law
• Administrative Agencies
• Areas of Administrative Law
• Agency Power, Process, & Action
• Limits of Agency Power
• What is a Crime?
• Parties to a Crime
• Corpus Delicti
• Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction
• Crimes Against the Person
• Crimes Against Property
• Defenses to Crimes
• Statute of Limitations
• Procedures in a Criminal Trial
• Parole, Probation, & Clemency

Paralegal: Advanced Module 4
Torts & Contracts

• What are Torts?
• Torts by Intentional Conduct
• Torts by Negligent Behavior
• Strict Liability Torts
• Damages & the Collection of Damages
• Contracts: Enforceable Agreements
• How are Contracts Classified?
• Requisites of a Valid Contract
• Third Parties in Contracts
• Discharged Contracts
• Breach of Contract
• Individual Consumer Contracts
• Warranty Protection

Paralegal: Advanced Module 5
Application of Law to the Individual

• Family Law
• Marriage Laws
• Legal Consequences of Marriage
• Laws Governing Parenthood
• Protection of Minors
• Termination of Marriage
• Family Law Contracts
• Motor Vehicle Law
• Owning a Motor Vehicle
• Driving a Motor Vehicle
• Purchasing Automobile Insurance
• Acquiring Ownership of Personal Property
• Will or Inheritance
• Mislaid, Lost, & Abandoned Property

Paralegal: Advanced Module 6
Renters, Landlords & Home Ownership 

• Types of Leases
• Landlord-Tenant Relationship
• Legal Remedies for Landlords
• Legal Remedies for Tenants
• Characteristics of Home Ownership
• Dealing with Real Estate Agents
• Offer to Purchase a Home
• Financing the Purchase of a Home
• What is Escrow?
• Title Insurance
• Role of Attorney in Home Transactions
• Home Taxes
• Home Insurance
• Neighbor Laws

Paralegal: Advanced Module 7
Employer/Employee Law & Estate Planning

• Employee & Employer Rights and Duties
• Classification of Employees
• Laws Against Discrimination
• The Basic Duties of Employees
• Common Benefits of Employees
• Rights Regarding Unions
• Arbitration of Employment Disputes
• What is Estate Planning?
• Tax Burdens Reduced or Avoided
• Matters Concerning Wills
• Matters Concerning Probate
• Living Wills & Advance Directives
• Matters Concerning Trusts
• Different Types of Trusts
• Ways to Avoid Probate
• Conservatorship & Guardianship

All necessary materials are included.

Certifications:

Upon successful completion of our 3 levels of Paralegal courses (900 hours), students will be prepared for an entry-level position as a Paralegal and will be prepared to sit for the NALA national certification exam to become a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP).

System Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.