FALL 2007

Register before class starts to receive instructor handouts.

All classes will be held on the Boca Raton Campus. All classes meet from 7:10 to 10:10 p.m.

Please note: Introduction to Law, (LA-1) is a prerequisite to all other courses in the Legal Assistant Program and should be taken before admission into the Legal Assistant Program.

Before registering for any of the following courses numbered LA- 2 through LA-12, you must have been admitted to the Legal Assistant Program.

For additional information and questions, call the program coordinator, Magda Radu at 561-297-3648 or email rrmagdal@fau.edu

To register by phone, call 1-800-228-5845.

NOTE: LA-1 Introduction to Law is a prerequisite to all classes.

Students must apply and be admitted to the Legal Assistant Certificate to continue taking classes.

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.

$185, 18 hrs., 1.8 CEUs

Option 1
3 Sat, July 28-Aug 11
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
(1-hour lunch break)

Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-1 0707-1

O
ption 2
3 Mon & 3 Wed
July 23-Aug 8
7:10-10:00 p.m.

(1-hour lunch break)
Boca Raton Campus
#LA2-1 0707-2

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, buy/sell agreements, use of pension/profit sharing plans, charitable contributions/trusts, private annuities and post-mortem estate planning.

$380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs

15 Wed. Aug 22-Dec 5
(no class 9/12)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-2 0807

* LA-3 Real Property Law

All general phases of real estate practice are studied. Topics include: standard residential contracts; the process from listing a piece of property through closing; contract preparation; types of title insurance matters (liens vs. permitted acceptable items); construction-related matters (liens/notices required); types of deeds; taxation; homestead; loans; and preparation of closing statements. The goal is to give you the knowledge to understand a basic residential contract, understand a title insurance commitment, and to prepare all documentation relating to closings.

$380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs

15 Mon, Aug 20 - Dec 10
(no class 9/03 and 11/12)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-3 0807

* 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.

$380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs

15 Thurs, Aug 23 - Dec 13
(no class 9/13 & 11/22)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-4 0807

* 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

$285, 27 hrs. 2.7 CEUs

9 Wed, Jan 9 - Mar 12
(no class 03/05)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-5 0108

LA-6 Criminal Law

This course involves the study of both substantive and procedural criminal law. First, you will study the criminal justice system, elements to various offenses and defenses to crimes, sentencing and punishment, and the details of each part of a criminal trial. The second part deals with constitutional and procedural aspects of criminal law. You will study numerous foundation cases decided by the Supreme Court. Various topics within the area of search and seizure, including warrants, confessions, the Miranda rule, and the exclusionary rule will be covered. Finally, the Florida rules of criminal procedure will be examined in detail.

$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Thurs, Jan 10 - Mar 20
(no class 03/06)
7:10-10:10 p.m.

Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-6 0108

* LA-7 Personal Injury

This course includes an introduction to negligence actions, intentional torts such as assault, false imprisonment, fraud, misrepresentation, infliction of emotional distress, and malicious prosecution and 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 and will be guided through an entire personal injury case from commencement through settlement negotiations. 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.

$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Mon, Jan 28 - Apr 7
(no class 03/03)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-7 0108


*LA-8 Effective Legal Research

You will become acquainted with the fundamentals of legal research. You will learn to use and locate primary and secondary sources and gain exposure to computer research systems like Westlaw and LexisNexis.

NOTE: This course is a prerequisite to LA-9 Research Writing.

$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Wed, Mar 19 - May 21
7:10-10:10 p.m.

Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-8 0208


* LA-9 Research Writing

Research Writing is a continuation of Effective Legal Research and includes exercises in grammatical construction and legal writing. You will become acquainted with the fundamentals of legal writing and learn to present legal analysis in a logical concise format. Prerequisite: Effective Legal Research.

$275, 24 hrs., 2.4 CEUs

8 Wed, May 28 - Jul 16
7:10-10:10 p.m.

Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-9 0508

*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.

$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Thurs, Mar 27 - May 29
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-10 0308


*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. The course includes a manual of the latest forms and tax procedures.

$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Mon, Apr 14 - Jun 23
(no class 05/26)

7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-11 0408

*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 are also covered.

$225, 21 hrs., 2.1 CEUs

7 Thurs, June 12 - Jul 24
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-12 0608

ELECTIVE COURSES –

Open Enrollment

Each year paralegals and students with special interests participate in elective courses from FAU’s Legal Assistant Program. These courses are not part of the Legal Assistant Certificate Program; they are available for those who wish to sharpen their skills, develop new ones, or enhance their knowledge. No application is required for elective courses. Just call 1.800.228.5845 to register. Paralegals will receive CEU’s to maintain CLA certification.

LA-13 Computer Skills for Paralegals and Secretaries

You will learn basic computer skills and software programs to operate effectively as a paralegal or a legal secretary in an office setting. Software and skills covered: WordPerfect, Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Internet Basics, and File Management.

$300, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs

10 Tues, Aug 7 - Oct 9
7:10-10:10 p.m.

Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-13 0807

 

LA-14 Immigration Law

Immigration Law begins with the topic of American citizenship and continues with the study of admissibility, inadmissibility, naturalization and removal. In addition to the complex constitutional laws, statutes and regulations involved in the various processes and steps, the course will cover the context of the broader historical and political forces that shaped the body of immigration law. You will get skills training in the interpretation of difficult statutes and regulations, a working knowledge of the many forms required by the INS for the working practitioner, and an understanding of how our immigration policies fit into the study of civil rights and liberties.

$285, 24 hrs., 2.4 CEUs

8 Tues, Oct 23-Dec 11
7:10-10:10 p.m.

Boca Raton Campus
#LA2-14 1007

CLA – Certified Legal Assistant Review Course

The Test Preparation office offers this course three times per year immediately prior to NALA’s CLA examination testing dates.

The course tracks NALA’s CLA Review Manual: A Practical Guide to CLA Exam Preparation and provides a comprehensive overview of each general and substantive law area tested by the CLA examination. Effective test-taking skills applicable to the CLA examination are covered. Focus is placed on weekly writing assignments that provide practice in memorandum drafting---a skill that figures prominently in the judgment and analytical ability portion of the CLA examination. At the end of the course, a mock examination is administered for those wishing to experience realistic CLA examination test-taking conditions.

$249, 21 hrs., 2.1 CEUs

(Call the Test Preparation office at (561)-297-2573 for dates and times).

Be Smart—Register Now!
1.800.228.5845

 

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