Course Descriptions - Paralegal

This course introduces students to the paralegal profession, including the nature of paralegal work, job requirements and opportunities. Students will study the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct and the ethical standards applicable to paralegals. The students will learn about the American legal system, including sources of law, court systems and procedures. The students will study the relationship between state and federal laws and procedure and alternative dispute resolution. Students will also study the substantive areas of torts and criminal law.PSEO students may not register for this course until they have completed all general education courses required for the Paralegal A.S. degree.

This course presents a study of the computer software commonly used in legal organizations, including programs in word processing, spreadsheets, database management systems, timekeeping and billing, case management and docket control, litigation support, presentation graphics, and electronic mail. Students will also study legal ethics as applied to the use of computer technology in the law office. CIS 1000 or knowledge of keyboard recommended. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course presents a study of the processes and procedures undertaken in a family law practice. Students will study the procedures applicable to marriage dissolution and learn to prepare the legal documents associated with such procedures. Students will also study other substantive family law topics such as marriage and premarital agreements, child custody and support, domestic abuse, and adoption. In addition, this course examines the ethical considerations relating to a family law practice. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course is the first part of a two-part Litigation course. This course presents a study of the processes and procedures undertaken in litigation and the role of the paralegal in a litigation practice. Students will study the requirements and applications of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the general rules of practice in District Court. Students will also study the various methods of alternative dispute resolution and their application to a litigation practice. Students will learn to prepare the documents essential to a litigation practice, such as complaints, discovery requests and discovery responses. This course also examines the ethical considerations relating to litigation.Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course is the second part of a two part Litigation course. This course presents a study of the processes and procedures undertaken in litigation and the role of the paralegal in a litigation practice. Students will study the requirements and applications of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the general rules of practice in District Court. Students will also study the various methods of alternative dispute resolution and their application to a litigation practice. Students will draft litigation documents and learn the role of the paralegal before, during and after trial. This course includes a study of the rules of evidence, and tips for preserving and protecting evidence in civil and criminal trials. Students will learn methods of investigation and fact gathering. In addition, this course also examines the ethical considerations related to evidence and the trial process. Prerequisite: PLeg 1411

This course introduces students to the understanding of conflict and provides a working knowledge of the major forms of adjudicative and non-adjudicative alternative dispute resolution processes. Students will apply the theory and practice of alternative dispute resolution to their personal as well as their professional lives. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111.

This course presents a study of the major areas of intellectual property law in the United States: trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets. Students will study relevant statutes and case law, as well as the key policy considerations in the subject area. This course also examines the ethical issues relating to intellectual property law. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

Immigration Law aims to: (1) Introduce students to U.S. immigration law as an important and dynamic body of administrative policies and regulations with broad social, economic, and political impact; (2) Present an overview of substantive immigration law and its processes and procedures for those seeking to enter and remain in the United States as nonimmigrants and immigrants, including employment and family-based processes, waivers, humanitarian relief such as DACA, U visas for victims of crime, and asylum, defenses to deportation, and U.S. citizenship; and (3) Address the role, responsibilities, and ethics of paralegals within the field, with a focus on the practical skills needed to be successful, including client interviewing, case management and communication, factual and legal research, and case preparation (including writing cover and support letters, drafting forms, and collecting supporting evidence).

This course will provide flexibility in offering an in-depth review of topics of immediate importance and topical interest. These topics will go beyond the introductory courses in examining specific aspects of the subject matter.

This course presents a study of methods of legal research related primarily to case law, which include the use of digests, encyclopedias, reporter systems, and practice manuals. The students will gain an understanding of law libraries and will be introduced to computer assisted legal research. Students will learn analytical writing skills for use in preparation of legal memoranda. Use of Blue Book citation methods will be emphasized.

This course is a continuation of Legal Research & Writing 1. This course focuses on primary sources other than case law such as constitutional law, statutory law, administrative law, and court rules. The student will also study secondary sources. This course provides the student with additional experience in the advancement of analytical writing skills for use in the preparation of legal memoranda. Blue Book citations relative to sources studied will be emphasized. The student will also gain additional experience with computer assisted legal research.

This course presents a study of the substantive and procedural aspects of criminal law and the role of the paralegal working in the area of criminal defense or criminal prosecution. Students will study the general principles of criminal liability, analysis of particular crimes, parties to crimes, and the substantive defense to crimes. Constitutional safeguards and procedures from arrest through trial, sentencing, punishment, and appeal are also studied. This course also examines the ethical considerations relating to criminal law and procedure.Prerequisite: PLEG 1111Please Note: All Paralegal program and course prerequisites are enforced. This course may not be used as a substitute for SOC 1710 in any NHCC programs which include SOC 1710 as a required course.

This course covers the procedural and substantive law of torts and personal injury, including negligence, insurance, strict liability, products liability, and intentional torts. Students will prepare documents used in both a plaintiff and defense personal injury practice.

This course presents a study of contracts, sales of goods, products liability, secured transactions, creditor rights, consumer protection and bankruptcy. The students also study basic principles of employment law. This course also presents a study of business entities, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities. Students will learn the fundamental principles of law applicable to each entity type and how to prepare documents necessary to the organization and operation of each. In addition, this course examines the ethical considerations relating to business law practice. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course presents a study of personal and real property.� Students study landlord and tenant law, real estate conveyance, real estate financing, foreclosure and mechanic's liens.� Students will learn to prepare deeds and other real estate documents, and the documents used in mortgage foreclosure and mechanic's lien foreclosure. The general concepts of legal descriptions, Torrens and Abstract titles, and contract for deed procedures are covered.� In addition, this course examines the ethical considerations related to a property law practice.Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course presents a study of estate administration, including the preparation and use of wills and trusts as estate planning tools. Students will study powers of attorney and the use of health care directives for disability planning. The students will learn the fundamental principles of probate law and how to prepare documents used in probate procedures. Students will also learn about the impact of estate taxes on estate planning. In addition, this course examines the ethical considerations relating to estate planning, wills and trusts. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

This course presents a study of the skills and tools needed for locating paralegal employment opportunities. Students will study employment opportunities in both legal and non-legal settings. Students will study attitudes and work habits for a more successful career. Students will learn to prepare a professional resume and conduct an interview. Prerequisite: PLeg 1111

The course is designed to ready the student for transition from the classroom to the work place, emphasizing practical skill development and additional development of the student's organizational, communication and critical analysis skills. This is also a course designed to measure the student's learning and mastery of the program's goals and objectives. The course is designed with in-class and out of class internship experiences. Through in-class discussions and exercises, the student develops the basic skills necessary for the paralegal work setting. The student gains actual work experience under the supervision of an attorney or experienced paralegal in day-to-day, on-site office work completed at an internship site. The student must complete 150 hours of work at the internship site, which may be a private or public law office, corporate or government legal department, or other appropriate law-related setting or complete the alternative legal practicum coursework. Prerequisites: PLeg 2211