LEI 101 INTRODUCTION TO LAW 3 credits
An introduction to the legal system and an explanation of the legislative and judicial process, how a legal rule is generated and maintained by the judicial system. Emphasis will be placed on jurisdiction, the development of the law through the court systems, torts, criminal law and procedure, business law, property law, family law and contracts.
LEI 102 LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING I 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of legal research. To begin, a general overview of the federal and state court systems will be provided. Next, students will learn to use and locate most primary legal authorities including cases, constitutions, and federal and state statutes. Attention will also be given to case analysis and the techniques of legal writing: citation form, cite checking, and the legal office memoranda. (Prerequisite: Intro to Law)
LEI 104 LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING II 3 credits
This course is designed to continue teaching the fundamentals of legal research. Students will learn to use and locate primary sources not covered in Legal Research I, namely, administrative law and legislative history, and most secondary legal authorities including Digests, Annotated Law Reports, periodicals, and encyclopedias. Further attention will be given to case analysis and the techniques of legal writing which will culminate in a self-directed research project and office memoranda.
(Prerequisite: Intro to Law and Legal Research I)
LEI 205 CIVIL PRACTICE 3 credits
An examination of civil practice and procedure, beginning with the filing of a complaint and extending through discovery, pre-trial motions, trial, post-trial motions and the appeal. Emphasis is also placed on cause of action, time limitations, case investigation, purposes of motions, depositions, settlements and dismissals.
(Prerequisite: Intro to Law)
LEI 206 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS 3 credits
Comprehensive survey of the law of business associations from sole entrepreneur through partnership and corporate formation. Discussion of merger, acquisition, director's liability and other corporate law topics. Emphasis is also placed on shareholder agreements, classes of shares, rights of first refusal, methods of financing, and voting trusts. (Prerequisite: Intro to Law and Legal Research I)
LEI 212 ETHICS AND PARALEGALISM 3 credits
An introduction to paralegal studies and the fundamentals of paralegalism with a comprehensive survey of professional responsibility issues for legal assistants, including the study of the American Bar Association's Model Code and Model Rules of Professional Responsibility and various professional paralegal associations' codes of ethics. Students will also explore licensing and regulating issues as well as job opportunities for paralegals. (Prerequisite: Intro to Law)
LEI 106 CONTRACTS & COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS 3 credits
Survey of contract law providing students with analysis of the law of voluntary obligation with emphasis on commercial contracts. The law of sales, commercial paper, and secured transactions will be reviewed and explained. Emphasis will be placed on statutory concerns, breach of contract, discharge of contracts, remedies and defenses, commercial paper, and negotiable instruments.
(Prerequisite: Intro to Law and Legal Research I)
ALTERNATE COURSES
LEI 240 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 3 credits
An overview of the classes of intellectual property including U.S. patents copyrights, trademarks and service marks with emphasis on the paralegal’s role in securing intellectual property rights, ownership issues and licensing of intellectual property i.e. technology transfer. (Prerequisite: Intro to Law and Legal Research I)
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LEI 238 INTERNET LEGAL RESEARCH 3 credits
This course has been designed to provide the student with in-depth exposure to technology techniques used in the litigation process. The class will be divided into litigation teams and will manage the litigation, its discovery and its trial presentation with
the aid of exemplar computer programs used in the industry. Students will have hands-on training in software programs and their application in the litigation process. (Prerequisites: Intro to Law and Legal Research I & II)