This course introduces the paralegal profession and the legal system.
Topics include regulations and concepts, ethics, case analysis, legal
reasoning, career opportunities, certification, professional organizations, and
other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain
the role of the paralegal and identify the skills, knowledge, and ethics
required of legal assistants. CORE
This course introduces the techniques of legal research and writing.
Emphasis is placed on locating, analyzing, applying, and updating sources of law; effective legal writing, including proper citation; and the use of
electronic research methods. Upon completion, students should be able to
perform legal research and writing assignments using techniques covered in
the course. CORE
This course covers legally enforceable agreements, forms of organization,
and selected portions of the Uniform Commercial Code. Topics include
drafting and enforcement of contracts, leases, and related documents and
selection and implementation of business organization forms, sales, and
commercial papers. Upon completion, students should be able to apply the
elements of a contract, pre p a re various business documents, and
understand the role of commercial paper. CORE
This course introduces substantive criminal law and procedural rights of the
accused. Topics include elements of state/federal crimes, defenses,
constitutional issues, pre-trial process, and other related topics. Upon
completion, students should be able to explain elements of specific crimes
and assist an attorney in preparing a criminal case. CORE
This course introduces the study of real property law. Topics include the
distinction between real and personal property, various estates, mechanics
of conveyance and encumbrance, recordation, special proceedings, and
other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to identify
estate forms of deeds, requirements of recording, and procedures to enforce
rights to real property.
This course covers laws governing domestic relations. Topics include
marriage, separation, divorce, child custody, support, property division,
adoption, domestic violence, and other related topics. Upon completion,
students should be able to interview clients, gather information, and draft
documents related to family law. CORE
This course covers various types of wills, trusts, probate estate
administration, and intestacy. Topics include types of wills and execution
requirements, caveats and dissents, intestate succession, inventories and
accountings, distribution and settlement, and other related topics. Upon
completion, students should be able to draft simple wills, prepare estate
forms, understand administration of estates including taxation, and explain
terms regarding trusts. CORE
This course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of the
federal rules of civil procedure and Alabama rules of court. The student will
demonstrate the ability to prepare a trial notebook for litigation purposes.
CORE
This course focuses on the organization, function, practices and procedures
of a law office. Emphasis is placed on basic law office management,
including office layout, personnel, equipment and supplies, filing systems,
scheduling and docket control; as well as the creation, preparation,
organization and processing of pleadings, forms, briefs and other legal
documents. Upon course completion, students will be able to demonstrate
and apply appropriate law office management techniques and procedures.
CORE
PREREQUISITE: Instructor permission, PRL 101, PRL 102.
This course provides students opportunities to work in paid or unpaid
positions in which they apply paralegal skills and knowledge. This course
requires a minimum of 100 hours of practical experience in the legal field,
including work in law offices, municipal courts, banks, insurance companies,
and governmental agencies, and with district and circuit court judges. Upon
course completion, students will be able to apply in real-work settings
competencies obtained in the PRL curriculum.
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