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 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 274 TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS
This course is designed for paralegal students in order to gain understanding of the basic principles of Trademarks and Copyrights. Practical skill building includes: how to perform preliminary searches for trademarks, the trademark registration process, maintaining a trademark registration, and supporting trademark inter partes and trademark usage and compliance. The second half of the course focuses on copyrights, which are used primarily to protect original artistic, literary, and musical works etc. Basic copyright concepts are introduced which include the types of protectable works. Students will understand how to obtain a copyright registration, establishing rights for coauthors, as well as what is and is not protectable under copyright law. This section also examines copyright infringement, legal remedies for same, and the common defenses to an infringement allegation. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Law and Legal Research I)
LEI 275 PATENTS AND TRADE SECRETS
This course is designed with a focus on the law of patents and trade secrets and will examine the role of the paralegal in securing patent rights and trade secrets. Students will gain insight into the foundation of patent law process including, patent application processes for utility, design and plants, ownership rights, transferring patent rights, remedy for/defenses involved in litigation upon infringement, and new developments/current events in patent law. Students will be able to define and describe the factors which establish a trade secret as well as be able to understand how they are protected, in addition to the possible legal remedies for misappropriation of a trade secret. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Law and Legal Research I)
LEI 276 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
This course provides an in depth look at intellectual property transactions including non-disclosure (secrecy) agreements, employee agreements, technology transfer, mergers and acquisitions and the due diligence required thereof, licensing and technology, internet and social media. This course will also examine the role of the paralegal in technology and corporate transactions such as outsourcing, strategic alliances, licensing, e-commerce, finance and restructurings. The content of this course is a foundation for those who intend to specialize in intellectual property. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Law and Legal Research I)
ALTERNATE COURSES
LEI 209 PRACTICUM 3 credits
Internship
and externship experiences for paralegal studies students. Practicum
opportunities are available on campus with one of the law school’s
clinical programs. Off-campus experiences include working in law firms,
corporations, law enforcement or public agencies and the court systems.
(Prerequisites: Introduction to Law, and Legal Research I & II)
-OR-
LEI 106 CONTRACT LAW 3 credits
A
survey of basic contract law provides students with the history and
development of contract law in the United States. This course will
examine the necessary elements of a contract, enforcement of contracts,
remedies for breach of contract, drafting of documents and analysis of
case situations that the paralegal may encounter in practice.
(Prerequisite: Introduction to Law and Legal Research I)