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Professional Paralegal Training (Fall 2009)

Saturday, September 19, 2009 – Sunday, November 1, 2009
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Course Details

This intensive, nationally acclaimed program is designed for beginning as well as experienced legal workers. All students are trained to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law and help prepare cases for courtroom litigation. The instruction is practice-oriented and relates to those areas of the law in which legal assistants are most in demand.

There are no prerequisites. However, an associate in arts and sciences degree (two-year) or its equivalent is very helpful. Students are expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each weekend session.

This non-credit program helps students increase their office’s efficiency, productivity and billable hours. It also provides students with marketable job skills. Successful graduates (who pass six tests and complete five written assignments) are awarded a Binghamton University Certificate of Completion. Graduates in the top 25 percent of the class receive assistance with volunteer intern placement for on-the-job training.

Course Topics

Week 1: Legal Terminology, Documents and the Litigation Process The first session focuses on the history of American jurisprudence, theory of law, legal process and the nature of litigation. Discussion covers pre-trial, trial and post-trial procedures. Students prepare a Complaint, Answer, Third-Party Complaint and Motion for Summary Judgement.

Week 2: Introduction to the Evidentiary Predicate The rules of evidence and civil procedure are reviewed as well as basic interviewing, investigation techniques, and the development and use of demonstrative evidence. Students prepare discovery matters such as Interrogatories, Requests for Admissions and Requests for Production of Documents.

Week 3: Identifying Relevant Authority Students learn how to identify relevant law and determine the differences among primary, secondary, mandatory and persuasive authority compared to hypothetical situations.

Week 4: Introduction to Legal Research Students learn research techniques to use in legal memoranda, motions and briefs. A concise approach to perform legal research is presented and the West Key Number System is discussed in detail.

Week 5: Legal Research Practice Legal research skills are reviewed with an emphasis on shepardizing statutes and case law and an introduction to computerized legal research terminals. Numerous research assignments are given, discussed and critiqued. (Visit a law library.)

Week 6: Legal Writing and Appellate Rules This final session concentrates on the preparation and critique of legal memoranda, including an Interoffice Memorandum of Law and Appellate Brief. The Rules of Appellate Procedure are reviewed as well as A Uniform System of Citation. Paralegal professional information (jobs and careers) is presented by a guest speaker.

Registration Information

The class is limited to 15 students to ensure maximum educational opportunity for all. Additional information regarding the campus and parking is provided after receipt of your registration.

Textbooks not included, please call the Center for Legal Studies at 1-800-522-7737 or visit www.legalstudies.com for information about required textbooks, textbook costs and Westlaw.

For additional information call 607-777-6857 or toll-free 877-313-2508.

Location

Binghamton University Downtown Center
67 Washington Street
Binghamton, New York
(adjacent to the Holiday Inn Arena)

Course Fee

Program Fee: $1089.00

Special Notes

This program provides the student with the recognition that he/she achieved the necessary level of professional knowledge and competencies required to perform basic tasks in the legal field.

This course is approved by the Veterans Administration for tuition assistance.

Student loans may be available through The Education Resources Institute (TERI). Call 607-777-6857 for more information.

You may be eligible for the “Lifetime Learning Credit” authorized by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Ask your tax preparer for more information.

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