Paralegal
PAR 102- Litigation
- Explain how the federal and state court systems operate, including the hierarchy of courts, and the concepts of jurisdiction, and venue.
- Apply rules of civil procedure and evidence to analyze hypothetical fact patterns.
- Explain the process of civil cases, from case initiation through pretrial pleadings, discovery and motions, trial, and post judgment advocacy.
- Discuss a paralegal's role in civil litigation.
- Describe a paralegal's ethical obligations during the litigation process, and a paralegal's communication with clients, attorneys, and court personnel.
PAR 110- Legal Research and Writing I
- Explain the sources of U.S. law, and the concept of federalism, and the role of three branches of government in making and interpreting law.
- Research and update primary and secondary sources of law, including court decisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and various secondary sources.
- Analyze a court opinion and draft a written case brief.
- Analyze and apply researched law to hypothetical legal fact patterns.
- Apply correct citation methods.
PAR 130- Business Organizations
- Explain the various sources of the law of business organizations.
- Describe the types of legal entities through which business can be conducted, including sole proprietorship, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies, and close and public corporations.
- Discuss corporate characteristics, formation procedures, financial structure, meetings, dividends, share ownership, amendments, and dissolution.
- Explain the role, responsibility, and fiduciary duties of various individuals, officers, and investors.
- Analyze potential legal and ethical issues involved in working with a business client.
PAR 131- Computer Applications For Paralegals
- Identify computer hardware.
- Describe legal software systems frequently used by paralegals.
- Practice using various legal software systems, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, database management systems, and timekeeping and billing.
- Describe the process of electronic discovery and use e-discovery software to conduct discovery in hypothetical cases.
- Use database management systems to organize docketing and scheduling, and document management and retention.
- Discuss the need for working in a secure environment, including discussion of ethical considerations, ensuring client confidences, and maintaining computer security.
PAR 132- Contract Law
- Identify sources of U.S. contract law.
- Explain the law pertaining to formation, performance and breach, including application of common law and the Uniform Commercial Code.
- Apply contract law to hypothetical client's contracting issues.
- Explain the legal remedies in contracting law.
- Discuss the legal ethical issues that can arise during contracting, and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
- Describe the role of a paralegal in contract law.
PAR 133- Criminal Law for the Paralegal
- Identify sources of U.S. criminal law.
- Explain the law pertaining to substantive criminal laws, including crimes against the person, property, and public.
- Describe the law pertaining to the procedure of criminal trials.
- Apply substantive and procedural criminal law to predict outcomes in legal scenarios.
- Discuss the legal ethical issues that arise in criminal law, and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
PAR 134- Family Law
- Identify the sources of U.S. family laws and family law jurisdiction.
- Explain various family law legal issues, including the laws of marriage, divorce, adoption, legitimacy and paternity, reproductive rights, and the rights of children.
- Apply family laws to predict outcomes in legal scenarios.
- Describe the legal ethical issues that can arise in family law practice, and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
PAR 135- Real Estate Law
- Identify the sources of law that apply to real estate transactions.
- Explain the law pertaining to interest in land, including fee simple, joint tenancy and condominium law.
- Explain the methods of financing used to purchase real estate.
- Draft various real estate documents, such as a Massachusetts quitclaim deed, surveys, a full Title Exam, lender's Title Insurance policy, Settlement Statement, and a Closing Package.
- Apply the relevant laws to hypothetical real estate scenarios.
- Describe the legal ethical issues that can arise during real estate transactions, and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
PAR 136- Wills, Trusts and Estates
- Identify the sources of U.S. estate planning law.
- Discuss the role and operation of the Massachusetts Probate Courts, including practice using mandated forms for filing in the probate court.
- Explain the parts of a will and trust.
- Discuss various estate planning laws, such as federal and Massachusetts estate and gift tax procedures, the process of probating an estate, the law of intestate succession, civil commitment, guardianship and conservatorship.
- Apply law to hypothetical client's estate planning issues.
- Describe the legal ethical issues that can arise during estate planning, and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
PAR 138- Intellectual Property Law
- Identify sources of U.S. and international intellectual property law.
- Research and utilize relevant statutes and regulations governing intellectual property law.
- Explain the elements of trademark and copyright procedures, and the elements of patent application, ownership, and infringement.
- Draft the typical forms used to register intellectual property with relevant agencies.
- Discuss ethical and legal issues affecting client interests in intellectual property.
PAR 198- Law Office Management
- Describe the management of a law office, including how law offices are structured and the relationship between law office and client.
- Discuss the role of a paralegal in a law office.
- Analyze ethical issues in law office management and propose resolution of those ethical issues.
- Explain the function of law firm administrative systems including fees, time-keeping and billing systems; management of clients' trust fund accounts; marketing, advertising and strategic planning; law library organization and management; document preparation; docket control and other relevant management topics.
PAR 199- Paralegal Internship
- Explain the essential traits and responsibilities of a paralegal.
- Describe the ethical principles that guide paralegal conduct, and analyze rules of legal ethics to propose resolution of legal ethical issues.
- Perform legal work typically performed by a paralegal in a private firm, government agency, corporation, court, and other various legal settings, such as drafting legal documents, conducting research and interviews, and completing forms and timesheets.
- Draft a resume and cover letter and practice interviewing skills.
- Present a summary of the internship experience.
PAR 210- Legal Research and Writing II
- Describe the legal research process and utilize strategies for legal research.
- Independently research using primary and secondary legal sources, distinguish between mandatory and persuasive authority, and apply research results to hypothetical fact patterns.
- Draft an interoffice legal memorandum, using IRAC method and applying proper citation.
- Draft various legal documents, including professional letters and motions.
- Analyze primary sources of law.