Skills taught are those necessary for paralegal work, such as the analysis of statutory provisions and judicial opinions, along with the identification of legal issues. An introduction to the methods paralegals use to analyze problems and locate relevant, mandatory, and current rules and interpretations. Presentation covers the analysis, publication, and citation of judicial opinions, statutory provisions, and administrative law. The features and use of secondary sources, digests, and other indexes are explained. The use of citators to update and identify related case law is explained, and computer-assisted research systems are introduced.
Assignments require legal research in a library with a law collection.
An introduction to the principles of writing clearly and effectively, with techniques for doing so in the legal environment. Emphasis is on types of documents that paralegals may be called upon to draft, including intake memos, legal memos, and client letters. A survey of basic principles relating to the practice of law and the responsibilities of paralegals. Rules and guidelines governing the ethical conduct of lawyers and nonlawyers are introduced. Also covered are law office management principles relevant to ethical requirements.