HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGL-203BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Division of Business, Arts & Social Sciences
Legal Studies Department
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Course Title: LGL-203 Paralegalism and Legal Procedures
Course Description: LGL-203 Paralegalism and Legal Procedure is a study of
the role of a paralegal and other legal professionals in the
legal workplace environment. Topics of discussion include
methods of investigation, discovery, motions, ethics,
litigation procedures, preparation of legal memoranda and
other legal documents.
Prerequisites: LGL-101 Fundamentals of Law I; LGL-103 Legal
Research and Writing
Credits: 3 credits (2 lab, 2 lab)
Text: Civil Trial Preparation, New Jersey Institute of Continuing
Legal Education, Greenberg and Wolinetz (2014 or most
current edition)
Recommended: Ethics for the Legal Professional, Orlik, Pearson, 2014 (8th
or most current edition)
Supplemental
Materials: To be provided by professor during the semester.
Practical Assignments: Drafting of Legal Memos, Motions, Pleadings and Legal
Research pertaining to current and practical legal issues.
Learning Objectives: 1. To provide the student with the ability to recognize
legal ethical issues and to determine the proper course of
action when confronted with the legal ethical dilemma as
required under the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Measure: Students will submit projects during intervals
during the course. These projects will relate to analysis of
the Legal Ethical Issues and the processes and procedures
whereby these issues are recognized and the proper course
of action taken. Students will utilize textbook and case
studies. Video presentation will be provided.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an
average grade of “70” or better on the projects. Projects
will be reviewed with students and concepts reinforced.
Homework assignments will be required specifically
addressing this course objective.
2. To provide the student with an understanding of the
responsibilities of the legal professional in the workplace
environment. Students will explore the opportunities of the
paralegal and other non-attorney legal professionals.
Measure: Students will submit projects during intervals
during the course which will require the utilization of
computer assisted only and with projects that will require
the integration of conventional legal research methods with
computer assisted legal research skills. Projects will
include legal memoranda, legal briefs, use of forms and
appropriate practice aides. Students will be required to
utilize their legal research and writing skills. Emphasis will
also be placed on legal ethical concerns.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an
average grade of “70” or better on these examinations and
projects. Projects will be reviewed with students and
concepts reinforced. Homework assignments will be
required specifically addressing this course objective.
3. To provide the student with an understanding of how
Computer Assisted Legal Research applies to the New
Jersey System of Legal Ethics NJ Rules of Court, the Court
System and to New Jersey Legal Actions through analysis
of particular rules, advisory opinions, use of forms,
hypotheticals and examination of case studies.
Measure: Students will submit projects during intervals
during the course which will have required ethical
considerations. The ethical considerations will relate to
analysis of the New Jersey State and Federal Court Systems
and the processes and procedures required by the respective
components of the New Jersey Judiciary.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an
average grade of “70” or better on these homework
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assignments and projects. Projects and homework
assignments will be reviewed with students and concepts
reinforced.
4. To provide the student with an understanding of
how and where to access the legal system in the State of
New Jersey on a state and federal level and how to
effectively and ethically represent the client’s interests
Measure: Students will submit projects and homework
assignments which will have components requiring the
student to locate specific legal resources electronically and
to utilize the resource cost effectively. This will include in
school and off-site computer assisted legal research.
Research consideration will relate to legal and factual
issues as it pertains to our court system, system of ethics
and its application to particular case studies. Proper
citation and communication of legal authority is reinforced.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive an
average grade of “70” or better on the projects. Projects
and homework assignments will be reviewed with students
and concepts reinforced.
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COURSE CONTENT:
CLASS SESSION #
1. Introduction to Paralegalism and Legal Procedures – Lecture
Assignment – NJ Courts Online – Locate and Print NJ Rules of
Professional Responsibility
2. Legal Ethics I – Lecture – Orlik (Intro and Ch 1 and 2). New
Jersey Rules of Professional Responsibility (see NJ Court Rules)
3. Legal Ethics II – Lecture – Orlik (Ch 3-5), NJ Ethics Advisory
Opinions – Locate in Library and On Line
4. Legal Ethics III – Lecture – Orlik (Ch 6-10)
Project # 1 – Research Memorandum – Legal Ethics
5. Law Office Systems and Record Keeping, the Role of the
Paralegal, Legal Nurse Consultant and Non-Attorney Legal
Professional in the Law Office, Initial Client Interview, Factual
Analysis, Legal Research, Case Investigation Techniques and
Practices (Greenberg p 1-33 )
6. Principles of Litigation, Attorneys, Paralegals, Legal Nurse
Consultants and Non-attorney legal professionals, Jurisdiction of
the Courts, Causes of Action, Service of Process – Lecture
(Greenberg p 36-121)
7. Pleadings – Complaint, Answer, Counterclaim, Crossclaim – Third
Party Practice – Supplemental and Amended Pleadings.
(Greenberg p 36-121)
8. Pleadings – Complaint, Answer, Counterclaim, Crossclaim – Third
Party Practice – Supplemental and Amended Pleadings.
(Greenberg p 36-121) – Cont’d
Project #2 – Complaint Drafting Assignment
9. Midterm Examination
Completion of Pleadings – Commencing and Defense of an
Action.
10. Discovery: Interrogatories, Depositions, Requests for Admission,
Demand for Inspection of Property or Things; Physical and Mental
Examinations (Greenberg p 124-254)
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11. Discovery: Interrogatories, Depositions, Requests for Admission,
Demand for Inspection of Property or Things; Physical and Mental
Examinations (Greenberg p 124-254) – Cont’d
12. Discovery: Interrogatories, Depositions, Requests for Admission,
Demand for Inspection of Property or Things; Physical and Mental
Examinations (Greenberg p 124-254) – Cont’d
13 Introduction to Motion Practice (role of the non-attorney legal
professional - Notice of Motion, Affidavit/Certification, Brief,
Order – Timing and Filing (Greenberg p. 255-298)
14. Motion Practice (Greenberg p. 255-298)
15. Evidence and the role of the Paralegal – Negotiation of Settlement
(Payments, Releases, Stipulation of Settlement, Stipulation of
Dismissal, Escrow Accounts, etc.), Alternative Dispute Resolution
(Voluntary and Mandatory) and other Pre-trial Proceedings
(Greenberg p 300-339)
16. Final Examination
Review of Projects
Evaluation: Project #1 – Legal Ethics
Legal Research Memorandum 25%
Project #2 – Complaint Drafting 25%
Midterm Examination 25%
Final Examination 25%
100%
Homework: Assignment submission may be required for course credit
as assigned and required by the Professor during the
semester and will be integrated into final grade pursuant to
evaluation procedures listed above.
Attendance: Will be taken at each session and is subject to the rules of
the college. Attendance at lectures is
imperative to acquisition and understanding of the
substantive material of the course. Habitual absence
(considered more than two unexcused absences) and/or
tardiness may result in loss of credit for the course.
Students are instructed to notify the professor prior to
absences, if known and are responsible for the materials
from classes which are missed. Students are required to
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take all examinations on the announced date or otherwise
scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. All projects
and examinations must be completed for credit for the
course. Late submissions will be penalized a quarter grade
for each day project is late. If a student has an excused
absence and misses an exam, that student must be prepared
to take an exam on or before the first day of their return to
class. If a student has an unexcused absence for an exam,
that student will receive a zero grade for that exam. If a
student misses both the midterm and the final examination
that student will not receive a passing grade in the class.
Faculty absence: A daily listing will appear in the glass case located in the
front lobby of the Administration Wing of the main
building which will indicate all classes which are cancelled.
Another listing will appear in the glass case adjacent to the
Hotel/Restaurant bulletin board in Ender Hall, Evening
Division Office and the Bergen Community College
website. Students should consult these bulletin boards and
website before going to class.
Cell/Smart Phones: The use of cell/smart phones and other electronic devices is
not permitted in class and all students must turn off their
cell phones prior to class session. Audio and video
recording and photography is prohibited in class.
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