DESCRIPTIONS OF CERTIFICATE PROGRAM COURSES
LA-1 Introduction to Law
Begin with an examination of the history of law from the earliest known legal decision to the present. Additional topics include: the two primary legal systems in modern society; American theories of jurisprudence; and the role of law in American society. American law is studied through a comparison of Florida and Federal courts, criminal and civil law, substantive and procedural law, and trial and appellate law. Several topics that are tested by the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Certified Legal Assistant Examination are studied.
If you decide to enroll in the Legal Assistant Certificate
Program after completing this course, you will need to
meet the admission requirements of the Program. LA-1 Introduction to Law
is a prerequisite to all courses.
LA-2 Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Focus on various available methods of estate planning and the federal tax consequences of transferring family wealth and property, with emphasis on Florida probate law and practice. Additional topics to be discussed in detail include: the preparation, content and use of wills,
will substitutes, trusts and other similar arrangements, recent
tax savings ideas and strategies, the role of life insurance and irrevocable life insurance trusts, major changes and recent developments in gift and estate tax planning, the use of revocable and irrevocable trusts, jointly-held property, ownership of family business interests, use of pension/profit sharing plans, charitable contributions/
trusts and post-mortem estate planning.
LA-3 Real Property Law
All phases of real estate practice are studied. Topics include:
residential and commercial contracts; the process from listing a piece of property through closing; various forms of property ownership and restrictions; financing (types of mortgages); types of title insurance matters (liens vs. permitted acceptable items); construction-related matters
(liens/notices required); types of deeds; taxation; homestead; loans; residential and commercial leases; eviction proceedings; foreclosure; litigation;
and preparation of closing statements. The goal is to
give you the knowledge to understand a basic residential contract, understand a title insurance commitment, prepare all documentation relating to closings, and the various issues involved in a real estate practice.
LA-4 Civil Litigation
The primary focus is on civil litigation in Florida. Included are:
sources of law, jurisdiction, venue, pleading requirements in civil actions, motion practice, third party practice, all aspects of discovery, trial preparation, trial procedure, post-trial motions and appeals, and post-judgment enforcement. The course will provide an understanding of civil litigation as it is practiced in Florida, with emphasis
on practical aspects of litigation. In addition, you will learn
how to prepare for a trial and how to assist the attorney in handling a civil matter from initial interview through trial.
LA-5 Contract Law
The broad application of contract law is kept in mind during
the exploration of what makes some promises enforceable. Areas of discussion
include: how the concepts of offer, acceptance and consideration are combined to create enforceable contracts; what happens when one or more elements is missing; and the performance and breach of contracts. You will be invited to apply
your learning to real-world situations through discussions of
contract disputes in the news, hypothetical situations based on current events and by drafting exercises that challenge you to create unambiguous provisions.
LA-6 Criminal Law
This course involves the study of both substantive and procedural
criminal law. Substantive criminal law is introduced first by focusing on the criminal justice system itself. We then examine the elements of the various offenses and defenses. We conclude the first part of the class by studying factual, statutory, and constitutional defenses to crimes. The second part of the class focuses
on criminal procedure. We study the constitutional aspects
of search and seizure law, interrogation, pre-trial process and discovery, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
LA-7 Personal Injury
This course includes an in depth examination of the elements making
up a cause of action based on negligence; the study of intentional torts such as assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, actions based on strict liability and product liability, as well as other aspects of personal injury. Topics of discussion include: the various documents used in personal injury cases (complaints, answers, affirmative defenses); discovery documents used in preparation for trial (interrogatories, requests to produce and requests for admission); and the use of other pre-trial and trial documents and exhibits and how they are used in personal injury actions. You will learn the fundamental elements of personal injury causes of action, settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. The goal of the course is achieved through both the text and the use of actual case documents and experiences, with an emphasis on practical application.
LA-8 Effective Legal Research
Students will become acquainted with the fundamentals of
legal research and citation. Students will also learn to use and locate primary and secondary sources and will gain exposure to various resources of legal research.
NOTE: This course is a prerequisite
to LA-9 Research Writing.
LA-9 Research Writing
Research Writing is a continuation of Effective Legal Research
and includes exercises in grammatical construction and legal writing. Students will become acquainted with the fundamentals of legal writing and learn to pre-sent legal analysis in a logical concise format.
Prerequisite: Effective Legal Research.
LA-10 Probate
You will be introduced to the principles of probate law in
Florida. Topics for study include: the role of the attorney and personal representative, probate vs. non-probate assets, testate vs. intestate estates, creditor and beneficiary rights, accountings, probate litigation and federal estate taxes as well as trust administration. You will learn to administer an estate from beginning to end, including formal, summary and ancillary administrations, and you will be required to prepare pleadings after a study of the Florida probate code.
LA-11 Corporations
You will study sole proprietorship and general and limited partnerships,
with a special emphasis on corporations. Topics include: corporate formation, articles of incorporation and by-laws, sub-chapter S, corporate financial structure, operation, meetings, dividends, distributions, employment, steps after formation, foreign corporations, and corporate taxation.
LA-12 Domestic Relations
Dissolution of marriage in Florida is the primary focus. Included
are: valid marriages, annulments, preparation of pleadings in a dissolution action, jurisdiction venue, uniform child custody, child support, alimony and other relief, property settlement agreements, final hearing and post-judgment proceedings. Adoption and paternity may also be covered.
Register
Now!
1.800.228.5845
www.fau.edu/conted-pros
To register for LA-1 Introduction to Law starting January 9,
call 1.800.228.5845.
For more information, call 561-297-3648 or e-mail rrmagdal@fau.edu