Columbus State Community College Justice & Safety Department Paralegal Technology

Transcription

1 COURSE: Law Office Technology LEGL 1002 Columbus State Community College Justice & Safety Department Paralegal Technology CREDITS: 3 CLASS HOURS PER WEEK: 3 PREREQUISITES: DESCRIPTION OF COURSE This course is an introduction to office management procedures unique to law offices, including computerized time keeping and billing programs. Emphasis will be placed on the development of accurate record-keeping and organizational skills. The course will provide hands-on experiences by utilizing various legal software packages for students to apply to typical legal office situations. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Explain the law office structure and management of law firms. Describe the ethical and professional responsibility of paralegals when using technology. Identify the computer hardware and peripherals used in the law office. Analyze the role of the paralegal in the using generic software in the day to day law office. Assess cloud computing resources. Determine utilization in the law office. Identify how law office management software is used in law offices. Prepare a client s billing statement using legal software. Utilize case management software. List the steps to create a paperless office. Prepare a litigation module using legal software. Prepare a trial graphic. Distinguish between paper based discovery and E-discovery. Explain how to prepare for e-discovery requests Describe e-filing systems used in federal and state court systems Explain the difference between book research and electronic research. Explore Special topics in contemporary legal technology. GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES Columbus State Community College's general education outcomes are an integral part of the curriculum and central to the mission of the college. The faculty at Columbus State has determined that these outcomes include the following competencies: Critical Thinking Effective Communication Community and Civic Responsibility Quantitative Literacy Scientific and Technological Effectiveness Information Literacy

2 TEXTBOOK, MANUALS, REFERENCES, AND OTHER READINGS Technology In the Law Office, Prentice Hall, 3d Ed., Goldman GENERAL INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Lecture, simulations, lab sessions, assignments, videos. ASSESSMENT Columbus State Community College is committed to assessment (measurement) of student achievement of academic outcomes. This process addresses the issues of what you need to learn in your program of study and if you are learning what you need to learn. The assessment program at Columbus State has four specific and interrelated purposes: (1) to improve student academic achievements; (2) to improve teaching strategies; (3) to document successes and identify opportunities for program improvement; (4) to provide evidence for institutional effectiveness. In class you are assessed and graded on your achievement of the outcomes for this course. You may also be required to participate in broader assessment activities. STANDARDS AND METHODS FOR EVALUATION All evaluations will be based on the content, as well as the elements of proper composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Lab sessions grade is based on positive comments, class interactions, active participation and accurate completion of lab assignments which reflect students knowledge and insight on the class materials. Simulation grade is based on participating in the class simulation and providing accurate and timely responses. Examinations will be evaluated on correct responses which demonstrate the student has mastered the principles, theories and lab assignments covered in the course material. Point value(s) for each assessment used during the quarter: Assessment Points Assignments 25 Lab Sessions 40 Examinations 25 Simulations 10 Total Points 100 Student grades for individual assignments are entered into the Blackboard grade book. Students are advised to check their grades on individual assessments on a regular basis throughout the quarter. GRADING SCALE

3 Final Grades will be determined based on the following scale: Points Percentage Grade points % A points 80-89% B points 70-79% C points 60-69% D under 60 points 0-59% E ATTENDANCE POLICY It is recommended that students attend all classes. If it is noted that a student has excessive absenteeism, they will be notified by and will have a conference with the professor to discuss and analyze the problem in order to find a solution. Poor attendance typically means a lower grade. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT As an enrolled student at Columbus State Community College, you have agreed to abide by the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook. You should familiarize yourself with the student code. The Columbus State Community College expects you to exhibit high standards of academic integrity, respect and responsibility. Any confirmed incidence of misconduct, including plagiarism and other forms of cheating, will be treated seriously and in accordance with College Policy and Procedure AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) POLICY It is Columbus State policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. If you would like to request such accommodations because of physical, mental or learning disability, please contact the Department of Disability Services, 101 Eibling Hall, (V/TTY). Delaware Campus students may also contact an advisor in the Student Services Center, first floor Moeller Hall, Ask for Delaware Campus advising, or for assistance. INCLEMENT WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCIES In the event of severe weather or other emergencies that could force the college to close or to cancel classes, such information will be broadcast on radio stations and television stations. Students who reside in areas that fall under a Level III emergency should not attempt to drive to the college even if the college remains open. Assignments due on a day the college is closed will be due the next scheduled class period. If an examination is scheduled for a day the campus is closed, the examination will be given on the next class day. If a laboratory is scheduled on the day the campus is closed, it will be made up at the next scheduled laboratory class. If necessary, laboratory make-up may be held on a Saturday. If a lab session is missed because of weather conditions. Students who miss a class because of weather-related problems with the class is held as scheduled are responsible for reading and other assignments as indicated in the syllabus. If a

4 laboratory or examination is missed, contact me as soon as possible to determine how to make up the missed exam or lab. Remember! It is the student s responsibility to keep up with reading and other assignments when a scheduled class does not meet, whatever the reason. In the event the college is forced to close during Final Examination Week, exams scheduled for the first missed date will be rescheduled for (date), in the same location at the same time scheduled. Exams scheduled for a second missed date will be rescheduled for. Thus, our final exam is scheduled for (date) at o clock. If the college is closed that day, the exam will be held on (date) at o clock. If our exam is the second day the college has been closed, the exam will be held on (date) at o clock. FINANCIAL AID ATTENDANCE REPORTING Columbus State is required by federal law to verify the enrollment of students who participate in Federal Title IV student aid programs and/or who receive educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is the responsibility of the College to identify students who do not commence attendance or who stop attendance in any course for which they are registered and paid. Non-attendance is reported quarterly by each instructor, and results in a student being administratively withdrawn from the class section. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for information regarding the impact of course withdrawals on financial aid eligibility.

5 UNITS OF INSTRUCTION UNIT OF INSTRUCTION LEARNING OBJECTIVES/GOA LS ASSESSMENT METHODS ASSIGNMENTS ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE UNIT 1 UNIT 2 UNIT 3 Law Office Structure and Management Ethics and Technology Computer Hardware and Peripherals Explain the law office structure and management of law firms. Describe the ethical and professional responsibility of paralegals when using technology List the computer systems and peripherals utilized in law offices. UNIT 4 Generic Software Analyze the role of the paralegal in the using generic software in the day to day law office. UNIT 5 Cloud Computing & . Assess cloud computing resources. Exam, assignment. Exam, assignment. Exam, assignment. Exam, assignment Lab session, simulation. Lab session. Exam, simulation, Research the various business structures of law firms. Assignment to describe the structure of a corporate law unit. Class panel on ethical breaches involving technology. Configure a model technological system for a small law firm. Review videos. Review online training videos and the help files of legal software. Simulation. Rank the programs based on their utility to paralegals.

6 Determine utilization in the law office Research assignment on the impact of cloud computing on the contemporary law practice. UNIT 6 UNIT 7 Law Office Management Software and Client Billing. Case Management Software. Identify how law office management software is used in law offices. Prepare a client s billing statement using legal software. Utilize case management software. Exam, lab Session simulation, Exam, lab Session Simulation, assigment. Review a web based help files to update time and billing software. Review video/demo of law office management software. Track study time using time and billing software. Prepare a time line for a case using case management software. Review video/demo of case management software. UNIT 8 Paperless Office List the steps to create a paperless office. Exam, lab Session simulation, assignment. Written assignment on metadata in an electronic document. Lab session on pass word protection and encryption of documents. Lab session on scanning and Adobe Acrobat and PDF protocols. UNIT 9 Trial Presentation and Graphic Software Prepare a litigation module using legal software. Prepare a trial graphic. Exam, lab session simulation, Draft an e-discovery request (production of documents). Respond to client e-discovery request.

7 UNIT 10 E- Discovery Distinguish between paper based discovery and E- discovery. Explain how to prepare for e-discovery requests Lab Session. exam, simulation, Create a PowerPoint presentation for a trial. UNIT 11 Electronic Courthouse and E-Filing Describe e-filing systems used in federal and state court systems. Exam, lab session simulation, Review the electronic filing systems of state and federal courts. Lab session on scanning and Adobe Acrobat and PDF e- filing requirements. Review online demo of e-filing systems. UNIT 12 Electronic Legal Research Explain the difference between book research and electronic research. Exam, lab session simulation, Review electronic legal research websites. Perform an electronic research of a legal issue. Review online video and demo on legal research tools. UNIT 13 Special Topics in Contemporary Legal Technology. Explore Special topics in contemporary legal technology. Assignments, lab session. Prepare questions for guest speaker. Class Panel on latest trends in legal technology.

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