PLG-265 Law Office Practice
This hybrid course provides students who are unable to complete a traditional internship with the opportunity to experience life in a law firm through simulation. The students will meet with the instructor weekly to discuss issues pertaining to the paralegal profession. The first meeting will be on campus; all future weekly meeting will be via webinars. Further, the students will be assigned work which will simulate the types of assignments a paralegal will receive in the workplace. In this course, the instructor will assume the role of an internship supervisor. During the week, the students will be required to check in with the instructor / supervisor on a regular basis regarding assignments which will be provided online. During the semester, the student will be required to complete a total of 96 hours of internship work which may include, but is not limited to the preparation of the following: resumes, letters, court documents, billing sheets, real estate documentation, and living wills. Further, all students will be required to interview 8 paralegals and prepare a report on their experience. All work will provided and completed under the guidance of the instructor / supervisor.
Prerequisite
The student must have completed at least 30 college credits which include a minimum of 15 credits in legal specialty courses.
For more detailed course information view the
Course Outline
Course Description
This hybrid course provides students who are unable to complete a traditional internship with the opportunity to experience life in a law firm through simulation. The students will meet with the instructor weekly to discuss issues pertaining to the paralegal profession. The first meeting will be on campus; all future weekly meeting will be via webinars. Further, the students will be assigned work which will simulate the types of assignments a paralegal will receive in the workplace. In this course, the instructor will assume the role of an internship supervisor. During the week, the students will be required to check in with the instructor / supervisor on a regular basis regarding assignments which will be provided online. During the semester, the student will be required to complete a total of 96 hours of internship work which may include, but is not limited to the preparation of the following: resumes, letters, court documents, billing sheets, real estate documentation, and living wills. Further, all students will be required to interview 8 paralegals and prepare a report on their experience. All work will provided and completed under the guidance of the instructor / supervisor.
Credit Hours
3Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered
Fall, Spring
Prerequisites
The student must have completed at least 30 college credits which include a minimum of 15 credits in legal specialty courses.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Identify various internet sites useful in both factual and legal research in the law office.
- Draft various legal documents commonly prepared by paralegals.
- Apply knowledge of legal ethics to various legal practice situations.
- Use a webinar to participate in class meetings.
Topic Outline
- 1. Time management, organizational skills, and office protocol
- a. Timekeeping and billing procedures
- b. Calendaring and tickler systems
- c. Personal planning
- d. Cooperating with support staff
- e. Professionalism (appropriate dress and behavior)
- f. Ethical issues involved in time management, organizational skills, and office protocol
- 2. Professional development and paralegal associations
- a. NALA, NFPA, and local paralegal organizations
- b. Certification vs. licensure
- c. The importance of continuing legal education
- d. Notary public licensure
- 3. Perceptions of the paralegal profession
- a. Should paralegals be exempt or nonexempt employees as to overtime pay?
- b. How is the paralegal's role defined?
- i. Inside the law firm
- ii. By the general public
- c. How can you help to elevate your profession?
- d. Where are paralegals headed?
- e. Ethical issues faced by paralegals
- 4. Ethical considerations
- a. Prohibition against giving legal advice
- b. Competency
- c. Confidentiality
- d. Solicitation
- e. Conflict of interest
- f. Zealous representation
- g. Professional malpractice
- 5. Discussion of paralegal interviews
- 6. Internship
- Along with attending the seminar discussions outlined above, students will be required to complete 96 hours of internship work, during which they must keep a detailed record of work assigned and accomplished. The instructor will assign and oversee the work. Throughout each week, students will receive assignments (similar to those in a law office setting) on a fairly random basis, which they must complete and submit in a timely manner. Students will also be required to check in with the instructor during the week to review the assignments given. The assignments will be provided through an online platform hosted by FLCC/SLN, which will also house sample documents for students to use. Finally, students will be required to interview approximately 8 paralegals over the course of the semester and write a report on the interviews.