University of Cincinnati, Clermont
Summer Quarter 2002

Introduction to Legal Assisting 

Syllabus

Course Description, Goals and Objectives:

The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the role of paralegals in the legal profession, including ethical considerations arising in the practice of law. The course will examine paralegal employment opportunities, regulation and licensing of paralegals, and law office management. We will also covers the various specializations within the practice of law, the structure of law firms, and the sources of employment in law firms and elsewhere. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of the paralegal and identify the skills, knowledge, and ethics required of legal assistants.
 
Instructional Methods
Lecture, discussion, writing assignments, and class participation. Students are expected to read the course book assignments prior to class and to be prepared to apply them in each class session. This course will involve extensive use of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that you obtain an email account (book store has Bearcat online) and learn to use a browser to navigate the World Wide Web. If you cannot use a browser on the World Wide Web, notify the instructor immediately so that I may provide additional training for you.
 
Course objectives Upon successful completion of the courses, the student will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Know and explain the various definitions of a paralegal;
• Describe the development of the paralegal profession;
• Describe the role of the paralegal in the legal system;
• Identify various employment opportunities for paralegal;
• Know and describe the various sources of paralegal employment and how to seek employment from them;
• Understand the economic factors affecting paralegal employment and salaries;
• Identify State and National Paralegal Associations and how they differ;
• State the duties of a paralegal in areas of legal specialization;
• Understand factors affecting the workplace environment of the law office;
• Know the major regulations affecting paralegals and how they affect paralegal functions;
• Describe paralegal licensing and certification programs;
• Know and be able to apply the standards for determining unethical attorney and paralegal conduct and how to avoid malpractice and unethical conduct; and Research paralegal employment opportunities listed on the Internet;
• Describe ethical considerations relating to the legal profession and the unauthorized practice of law;
• Introductory legal research, analysis and writing
• Draft a simple office memorandum;
• Perform basic legal research on the Internet;
• Complete assignments and projects utilizing Internet resource;

Final Exam Period:     July 23, 2001

Grading: The major requirement of this course is to keep up with the readings and to attend regularly. Your grade for this course will be determined on the following criteria:

The New UC Clermont grading scale will apply with final point totals converted to letter grades as follows:

Examination: Mixed format appear will appear on the examination. There may be both true/false and multiple choice questions. Make-up examinations are generally not allowed, but will be considered upon written request with documented good cause such as a family or medical emergency.

Outside Assignments: The course will include at least one written research assignment. There will also be a series of short out of class assignments. The written assignments must be done on a word processor or type-written. No hand written submissions will be accepted. Assignments will be graded on content, compliance with applicable statutes and code provisions, and the appropriate use of legal terminology. Assignments must be handed in on time. If you cannot attend class on the date an assignment is due, it is your responsibility make arrangements to get the assignment to the Professor in a timely fashion. . Assignments handed in late will receive a grade that is no higher than the lowest timely submitted assignment.

Class Preparation and Attendance: I will expect that you have read the assigned material prior to class. This preparation is measured by recitation. Students are randomly selected to discuss assignments. For this reason, it is best to be prepared for every class period by thoroughly studying the material in advance. If you are called upon and are not prepared, you may pass for that day. The pass will harm you class preparation grade. By passing you will also assure that you will be called on in the next class period. It is important to recognize the difference between voluntary class participation (which is welcome) and solicited recitation. Voluntary participation is not graded. Solicited recitation (class preparation) is graded.

Withdrawal Dates:  : Standard University of Cincinnati policy. Students who want to withdraw from this course, must do so by completing an "Add-Drop Form." This form can be obtained through the College Registration Office. . A student withdrawing from a class up to and including, July 9, 2001 for (full summer) 00U term, June 29, 2001 for (1st half summer) 00U.D term, and August 7, 2001 for (2nd half summer) 00U.E. term, may do so by completing the "Add-Drop Form" and returning it to the College Registration Office. A student withdrawing from a class after those dates must have the "Add-Drop Form" signed by the professor before they return it to the College Registration Office. Students withdrawing prior to and including August 14, 2001 for (full summer) 00U term, July 16, 2001 for (1st half summer) 00U.D term, and August 22, 2001 for (2nd half summer) 00U.E. term; will receive the grade of "W". Students withdrawing after those dates will receive the grade of F.

Plagiarism: 1. Submitting another's published or unpublished work, in whole, in part, or in paraphrase, as one's own without fully and properly crediting the author with footnotes, citations or bibliographical reference. 2. Submitting as one's own, original work, material obtained from an individual or agency without reference to the person or agency as the source of the material. 3.Submitting as one's own, original work, material that has been produced through unacknowledged collaboration with others without release in writing from collaborators.

ADA: Students with Disabilities: The policy of the University of Cincinnati Clermont College requires students to self-identify and provide proper documentation to the Director of the Learning Center, Rm. 22, for appropriate academic assistance.

Schedule of class meetings tests and assignment due dates.

    Date                    Topic Covered & Reading Assignment                                                                                   Time/hrs