PRACTICAL TRAINING TAUGHT BY ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS

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1 PRACTICAL TRAINING TAUGHT BY ATTORNEYS AND PARALEGALS Obtaining a paralegal certificate reflects your commitment to educational excellence and appreciation for academic challenge. Our Intensive 3-Week program gives you knowledge, career preparation, and a prestigious certificate of specialization that will differentiate you in the job market. Who Should Attend If you are passionate about working with people, have an appreciation for the law, and enjoy the satisfaction of making a real difference in your work, a paralegal career is the perfect choice for you. Those interested in becoming part of a legal services delivery team working under the supervision of attorneys, considering law school, or wanting to take individual courses to brush up on specific skills, should attend. Program Benefits Instruction from practicing attorneys and paralegals from leading law firms, corporations, and non-profit organizations Build a portfolio of work that showcases your capabilities On-campus evening and weekend courses available Choose individual courses or participate in the complete certificate program Program Goals To provide an educational foundation that assists paralegals in becoming ethical, professional, and effective members of a legal services delivery team To prepare students for a career as a paralegal working under the supervision of an attorney in law firms, corporations, and public sector organizations Program Objectives Develop and practice oral and written communication skills Develop technology skills and a framework for learning new technology skills Develop analytical skills through the study of case-law and the federal and California legal systems Develop and practice critical thinking skills through substantial writing assignments Develop practical litigation and transactional skills and create a framework for understanding the most common areas of law practice in California Develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of paralegals as well as the rules of professional conduct and their application to legal professionals Develop and practice the attitude and skills necessary to succeed as a paralegal in various legal settings PARALEGAL PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA This is a selective admission program. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible. Critical Thinking Test Score The Critical Thinking Test is required of all individuals seeking admission to the SBC Paralegal Program. You must achieve a minimum score of 25 to be considered for admission. You may take the Critical Thinking test at the SBC office. Re-test Requirements: Because there are two forms of the test available (Form A and Form B), a Paralegal Classes Page 1

2 student may take the second form, (the one he/she did not originally take) two weeks after taking the original test. Students will be required to wait three months before taking the test a third time. Prerequisite Courses You must have high school diploma to qualify for minimum educational prerequisite. In order to earn a paralegal certificate or course from SBC, a minimum of 18 hours of paralegal courses must be earned from SBC. All questions concerning the admission process should be directed to nfoleylaw@gmail.com How to Apply - Paralegal Program The Paralegal program is a selective admission program. You must meet the admission criteria before applying. If you have applied before and were not selected, you must reapply. CLASSES OFFERED: Civil Litigation Paralegal, 6 weeks course, $ Immigration Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Bankruptcy Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Family Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Collection Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Personal Injury Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Copyright & trademark Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Corporate Law Paralegal, 3 weeks course, $ Prospective paralegal students must complete SBC Application for Admission - The application is the first step in the enrollment process. Because this is a selective admission program, please pay particular attention to the transcript and eligibility requirements. You will also need to follow the application and enrollment steps for SBC. Deadlines In order to be guaranteed consideration for admission to the SBC Paralegal program, all application materials must be received in the Admissions office on or before the following dates: August 1, Oct. 1, December 1 of 2014 Applications received later than these dates will not be guaranteed consideration. Therefore, it would be beneficial to submit all required documentation as soon as possible. Submission of Application Materials The following materials must be submitted by the deadline date: (1) Admission application (2) Official copies of all high school and/or college transcripts. (3) Critical thinking test score (4) 2(two) letters of recommendation Materials can be mailed to: Law Offices of Natalia Foley SBC Admissions Office 3727 West 6 th str Ste 603 Los Angeles CA Paralegal Classes Page 2

3 Verification of Receipt You will receive a letter verifying receipt of materials in the Admissions office. Review of application Your application for admission will be reviewed only after all of your application materials have been received. You will be notified by mail as to whether or not you have successfully met the academic criteria. Personal interview Applicants who successfully meet the minimum academic criteria will be scheduled for an informational interview with the paralegal instructors. Curriculum The SBC Paralegal Studies Program is either fast-track 3-week or advanced 6-week course of study designed to train students in specific areas of the profession most in demand and most desired by attorneys. The program can be tailored to the particular needs of the applicant. Following is the course curriculum for the Classroom-based program. The structure may vary. Essential Skills for Paralegals Fundamentals of the Profession Evidence and Investigation Legal Research and Writing Pleadings and Discovery Motion Practice The Legal Environment The Law Office Legal Ethics California Courts Federal Courts Legal Technology Extra-Judicial Processes SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL STUDIES Contract Law - A rocket-sled ride through basic Contract Law, this course introduces students to fundamental contract theory and terminology. Topics covered include contract formation, modification, breach, and remedies. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to identify key theoretical concepts and apply simple analysis to contract problems. Tort Law - Tort Law deals with a class of civil wrongs or harms to people or property. Students in this class will learn about negligence actions, intentional torts, and the process of civil litigation. Emphasis will be placed on the practical skills that paralegals need to help attorneys prepare to prosecute or defend civil matters from pre-filing through trial to posttrial motions. Family Law - Students will embark upon exploration of Family Law to: (1) understand the fundamental elements of Family Law, (2) identify core legal issues within the field, and (3) understand the duties of the paralegal in the Family and Matrimonial arena. Paralegal Classes Page 3

4 Real Property Law - This course has two main goals: to familiarize students with the basic concepts of Property Law and to introduce students to the practice of title searches and loan closings. The study of Real Property Law provides a basis for the work in a Real Estate practice. At the end of this course, successful students will be able to conduct their own title search from a home computer and be ready to understand the workings of a real estate firm Program Requirements for Successful Course Completion In order to progress from one semester to the next in the Paralegal Program, the following principles will be followed. SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE CURRICULUM 1. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) in each of the following courses (which are prerequisites for admission): Introduction to Law Paralegal Professional Studies Paralegal Ethics A student who does not achieve a minimum grade of "C" (2.0) in any of the above-listed prerequisite courses may not repeat that course more than once. 2. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0) must be achieved in each Paralegal course. Failure to achieve at least a "C" (2.0) will cause the student to be ineligible to continue with the program. 3. An overall GPA of no less than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale ("C") in all other general education courses. INCOMPLETES Students will receive a grade of I only if special circumstances prevent them from completing the class. Students must make arrangements with the instructor before semester grades are submitted and must sign a statement agreeing to complete the class requirements. All class requirements must be completed by the deadline indicated on the agreement. An "I" will be changed to an "F" if the student does not successfully complete the work by the deadline established by the instructor, which can be no later than the end of the next full semester following the grading period for which the "I" was given. The instructor is responsible for initiating a grade change when a student successfully completes the work outlined in the agreement. During the semester a student is completing the "I" contract, the student cannot re-enroll in the class, nor is the student considered currently enrolled on the basis of the "I" grade from the previous semester. Students may not withdraw from a course in which an "I" has been assigned. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES A Paralegal student is responsible for monitoring his/her own academic progress and for seeking assistance from the course instructor when necessary. CHANGES IN THE CURRICULUM From time to time, the Paralegal curriculum requirements may be subject to changes which would result in a modification of program requirements. Students who stay continuously Paralegal Classes Page 4

5 enrolled will not be affected by such changes and will be required to meet only the program requirements in effect during the semester in which they initially enrolled in the Paralegal Program. Any student who does not re-enroll at SBC for a semester or longer will be subject, upon re-enrollment, to any curriculum or program requirement changes which may have gone into effect during the interim. Any student who is not enrolled at SBC for a semester or longer will be automatically dropped from the Paralegal Program with the exception of the summer semester. Such a student may apply for readmission and must follow the standard application procedure. UNSUCCESSFUL STUDENTS A Paralegal student who does not successfully complete any semester of the program will be ineligible to continue in the program. Unsuccessful students will be supplied with a written statement of their course deficiencies. At the initiative of the student, an end-of-course conference will be scheduled to include the student, course instructor(s), and the program director. Unsuccessful students may apply for readmission and must follow the standard application procedure. SUCCESS Successful completion of the program will entitle students to the Paralegal Postsecondary Certificate. Paralegal Classes Page 5