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Course Descriptions
Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Code, the NALA Code of Ethics, etc. (Prerequisite or Corequisite: PLGL 105) PLGL-205 Litigation Assistance Procedures (Cr3) (3:0) The purpose of this course is to train paralegals/ legal assistants to perform, under the direction and supervision of a lawyer, civil litigation support work, which for the most part requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts and which, absent the paralegal or legal assistant, would be performed by a lawyer. It is not intended to be a course which teaches individuals to litigate their own cases or assist others in litigation, absent the supervision of a lawyer. A paralegal/legal assistant may not engage in the practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court, setting fees, etc. Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law is a crime in the State of New Jersey. This course is designed to give an overview of the law, rules of procedure, ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney and the client in the civil litigation process. NOTE: This course is offered in the Spring term only. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-206 Torts (Cr3) (3:0) This course is designed to give an overview of Tort law in the traditional areas of Intentional, Negligent and Strict Liability Torts, and commonly employed defenses. It also provides an introduction to ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney in the civil litigation process arising out of a cause of action in Tort. NOTE: This course is offered in the Spring term only. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-207 Moot Court (Cr4) (4:0) The Court Competition will be a combination of in-class study and an independent study. The student will research a factual situation and prepare for an appellate trial. The preparation will consist of researching the legal questions either individually or in two member teams and preparing an appellate brief, which will be 75% of the grade. The research teams will then compete against each other in a moot court competition (25% of grade), with the eventual winning team meeting in the competition finals. The Moot Trial will be conducted as if it were a real appellate trial with judges. The students will be developing research l General Education Course
skills and through their participation in the trial, presentation and advocacy skills. (Prerequisite: PLGL 106 or approval of instructor) PLGL-210 (t) Computer Applications in Law (Cr3) (3:0) This course is designed to familiarize paralegals with the various use of computers and technology in a law office. This includes: 1) computerized legal and factual research using online for fee services (Westlaw and/or Lexis), CD ROM products and Internet resources; 2) software applications in document preparation, file management and law office management; 3) word processing; 4) electronic filing of litigation documents; 5) email; and 6) other law office technology such as fax machines, scanners, etc. Students who are unskilled in the use of computers and/or keyboarding should take the following courses(s): OADM 106, the ABC’s of PC’s and/or OADM 105, Keyboarding. (Prerequisites: PLGL 105 and PLGL 106) PLGL-215 Criminal Procedure (Cr3) (3:0) The purpose of this course is to train paralegals/legal assistants to perform, under the direction and supervision of a lawyer, criminal litigation support work, which, absent the paralegal or legal assistant, would be performed by a lawyer. The course is designed to give an overview of the law, rules of procedure, ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney and the client in the criminal litigation process. NOTE: This course is offered in the Spring term only. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-225 Wills, Estates and Probate (Cr3) (3:0) This course is designed to give an overview of the law, rules of procedure, ethical and professional responsibilities and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney in the wills, estates and probate process. Students will be able to draft wills, and living wills following applicable laws and procedures, and complete federal estate, gift tax and state inheritance tax returns. They will be able to set up various trusts and follow procedures for obtaining life insurance benefits. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-226 Corporate Law Procedure (Cr3) (3:0) This course is designed to give an overview of the law, ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney, and the client in the
formation, operation and dissolution of the following types of business entities: sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLP’s), limited liability companies (LLC’s), “C” Corporations and “S” Corporations. NOTE: This course is offered in the Fall term only. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-227 Introduction to Bankruptcy (Cr1) (1:0) The purpose of this course is to train paralegals/legal assistants to perform, under the direction and supervision of a lawyer, bankruptcy support work, which for the most part requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts and which, absent the paralegal or legal assistant, would be performed by a lawyer. It is not intended to be a course which teaches individuals to prepare and file their own bankruptcy petitions or assist others in filing such petitions. It is not designed to prepare paralegals to act as Bankruptcy Trustees. A paralegal/ legal assistant may not engage in the practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court, setting fees, etc. Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey. This course is designed to give an overview of the law, rules of procedure, ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney in bankruptcy matters. NOTE: This course is offered in the Spring term only. (Prerequisite: PLGL 105 or instructor’s approval) PLGL-228 Introduction to Workers’ Compensation (Cr1) (1:0) The purpose of this course is to train paralegals/legal assistants to perform, under the direction and supervision of a lawyer, workers’ compensation litigation support work, which for the most part requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts and which, absent the paralegal or legal assistant, would be performed by a lawyer. It is not intended to be a course which teaches individuals to litigate their own workers’ compensation cases, or assist others in such litigation. A paralegal/legal assistant may not engage in the practice of law by accepting cases, giving legal advice, appearing in court, setting fees, etc. Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law is a criminal offense in the State of New Jersey. This course is designed to give an overview of the law, rules of procedure, ethical and professional responsibilities, and tasks essential to the role of the paralegal in assisting the attorney in the workers’ General Education course status under review. Consult your counselor. (1)