SPRING 2008
Register before class starts to receive instructor handouts.
All classes will be held on the Boca Raton Campus.
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.
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.
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NOTE: LA-1 Introduction to Law is a prerequisite
to all classes. |
LA-1 Introduction to Law 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 Option 2
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. 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. $380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs 15 Mon. 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 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.
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. $310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs 10 Thurs.
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. $310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs 10 Mon.
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. 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. 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.
10 Thurs. 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. $310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs 10 Mon. 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. $225, 21 hrs., 2.1 CEUs 7 Thurs.
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, Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Internet Basics, and File Management. You will also sample Legal Applications like PC Law, Amicus, and other programs. This is a fast paced course, knowledge of Windows is a prerequisite. $300, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs Option 1 Option 2 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 DHS/USCIS 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.
Technology has grown at a pace which has forced the legal system to examine complex, and seemingly impossible, legal questions on how to regulate the Internet in a relatively short period of time. For example, if an Internet transaction involves more than one state (or better yet, more than one country), who has jurisdiction to resolve a dispute? Or, if a crime is committed solely on the Internet, do the same Constitutional procedural rights apply to protect the alleged defendant? This course introduces you to the special complications presented when technology outpaces the legal system. We will specifically examine the U.S. Constitution, jurisdiction and cyberspace, e-commerce, privacy on the Internet, crimes committed on the Internet, and property rights in cyberspace. $285.00, 24 hrs., 2.4 CEUs 8 Tues. 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! To register for LA-1 Introduction to Law starting January 8 or January
12, 2008 |
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