Ursuline College Accelerated Program

Transcription

1 Ursuline College Accelerated Program CRITICAL INFORMATION! DO NOT SKIP THIS LINK BELOW... BEFORE PROCEEDING TO READ THE UCAP MODULE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ AND ADHERE TO ALL UCAP POLICY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS LINK BELOW CLICK HERE... REVISED APRIL 2009 LS 488alt ADVANCED LEGAL TECHNOLOGY COURSE MODULE Division: UCAP Academic Department and/or Program: Legal Studies Catalog Number and Title: LS488alt Advanced Legal Technology Number of Credit Hours: 3 Course Description: The student will explore through dialogue, research, presentations and exercises, specialty applications software used in the legal profession, as well as current technology trends in the law office setting. Programs utilized include AbacusLaw, LexisNexis CaseMap and TimeMap, Summation and Sanction. Prerequisites: LS360 Microcomputer Applications in Law Instructional Objectives: Knowledge The student will: 1. Develop a better understanding of the advanced skills required to work with technology equipment utilized in the legal community. 2. Develop an advanced working knowledge of how computers are utilized in the legal community. 3. Develop a better understanding of the variety of legal specific specialty applications software that legal assistants may encounter in the work environment and courtroom.

2 Skills 4. Develop a basic understanding of current legal technology trends. 5. Develop a better understanding of the special issues of confidentiality and conflict of interest pertaining to technological advancements in the legal community. The student will: 1. Learn the basic elements and use of legal specialty applications software. 2. Learn how to identify, locate and use resources for learning how to use legal specific specialty applications software. Attitude The student will: Values 1. Develop a sense of professionalism and achievement as required of employed legal assistants by adherence to attendance, participation, assignment due dates, and styles in which completed assignments are prepared. 2. Develop acceptable communication skills and basic work performance proficiencies as demonstrated in the student s verbal and written work. 3. Become more self directed, resourceful, organized and disciplined in fulfilling work responsibilities by successfully managing the intensive course workload within the time restrictions. The student will: 1. Be aware of his/her own values and the subsequent impact on the law office and client. 2. Be able to understand and apply the ethical and professional responsibilities of the legal professional in connection with technology utilized in the legal environment. Need: The use of technology, computers and legal specific applications software is increasing rapidly in the legal environment. The successful legal assistant must have an understanding of the current trends in the legal environment, as well as basic exposure to some of the more commonly used software programs.

3 Required Textbooks & Resources: Technology in the Law Office, Book & CD ROM Package, Thomas F. Goldman (Pearson Prentice Hall) Free Educational Download CT Summation iblaze Supplementary Reading Material & Resources will also be provided by the Facilitator. USB FLASH DRIVE BRING TO CLASS EVERY WEEK Student Evaluation Techniques: Student is evaluated on the basis of performance on the following: Online Quizzes 10% Online Final Exam 20% Projects 50% Research Project / Paper 20% All evaluations will be based on the content, as well as the elements of proper composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Method of Instruction: Seminar/lecture, guest speakers, student participation, legal software special projects, research project, quizzes, and final examination.

4 PREASSIGNMENT Preparation: Readings: Technology in the Law Office Technology in the Law Office: Chapter One, pgs Computer Hardware & Software: Chapter Two, pgs The Paperless Office: Chapter Eight, pgs Questions: Prepare responses to the following questions to be turned in at the beginning of Class One. Responses should be typed utilizing a word processing program. 1. Explain, with examples, how the Internet is used by law offices and the courts. 2. Why does the legal team need to have a working familiarity with computers and the different types of computer software programs? Give examples. 3. How have the new Federal Rules of Civil Procedure impacted the legal profession? 4. What role do passwords play in computer security? 5. Why is conflict of interest an issue for the legal team? 6. Should a technology consultant be considered an other representative under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 26? Why or why not? 7. Explain the differences between applications and specialty applications software. 8. Why should passwords be changed on a regular basis? 9. Describe the different classes of software and the functions they perform in a law office. 10. What law office functions can be performed with the use of legal specific applications programs? 11. Describe the features of the paperless office. 12. Define what is meant by the term paperless office. 13. Discuss the ethical considerations in the paperless environment. 14. How can an ethical wall be built around documents in the paperless office? 15. What is OCR and what are its uses in the law office? Projects: Find an article, utilizing the Internet, discussing the use of outsourcing in the legal community. Be prepared to turn in a copy of the article during Class One and to discuss your article during Class One. Review the Checklist on page 14 of the textbook. If possible, inquire about these items and prepare data on these items based on your current employer, whether it be a law office or other environment, to be shared during Class One.

5 CLASS I OVERVIEW & THE PAPERLESS OFFICE Objectives: 1. Understand the function of technology in the law office. 2. Discuss the impact of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on electronic documents and the use of technology in the law. 3. Appreciate the need to understand the language of technology. 4. Understand the role of the technology support staff. 5. Understand the ethical issues in the use of technology and the use of computer consultants in the legal environment. 6. Identify ways that technology can help the legal team. 7. Discuss the different types of computer systems used in a law office. 8. Describe the different computer operating systems. 9. Explain the differences between applications and specialty applications software. 10. Understand basic issues in installing and using software. 11. Understand how a network functions and the issues of network security. 12. Define what is meant by the term paperless office. 13. Explain the need for a filing system for electronic documents. 14. Discuss the ethical considerations in the paperless environment. 15. Describe issues in court related electronic filing. 16. Describe the types of electronic document formats. 17. Describe the hardware and software issues in scanning documents. 18. Explain the concept of the electronic notary. Activities: Introductions & Attendance Review Course Module & Syllabus Chapter One Review: Discussion of Outsourcing Articles Discussion of Current Office Technology Checklist Chapter Two Review Chapter Three Review: Federal Court System Tutorial on Electronic Filing Scanners Video Presentation Terms / Concepts Overview for understanding remaining aspects of course After Class One Assignments: Writing & Application Assignments: Prepare an office policy on the use of passwords in the law office. Explain the reasons and methods to be used for the most and the least secure passwords. Prepare an office memo outlining a proposed plan to move a small law office to a paperless office environment. Further details about the office s current filing system will be provided in Class One to use in conjunction with this assignment. Preparation Assignments for Class Two (see next page)

6 CLASS II OFFICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Preparation: Readings: Technology in the Law Office Office Management Software: Chapter Nine, pgs Appendix 1, pgs Complete Online Reading Quiz Prior to Class Two Objectives: 1. Explain what office management software does and how it works. 2. Understand the functions of calendaring software in the law office. 3. Find online and program resources for learning how to use a program and its features. 4. Understand the importance of accounting records in a law office. 5. Use the basic functions of law office management software. Activities: Chapter Nine Review AbacusLaw Download and Tutorial Tabs 3 Download and Tutorial AbacusLaw Law Office Set up Project After Class Two Assignments: Program Applications Project: Utilizing the Comprehensive Case Study in Appendix 1, enter all relevant information in AbacusLaw AND Tabs3. Prepare an interim bill for your time spent in preparing for and attending class in either AbacusLaw OR Tabs3. Preparation Assignments for Class Three (see next page)

7 CLASS III CASE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Preparation: Readings: Technology in the Law Office Case Organization and Management Software: Chapter Ten, pgs Complete Online Reading Quiz Prior to Class Three Objectives: 1. Explain the use of software for managing cases. 2. Understand the mechanics of organizing a new case file. 3. Find online and program resources for learning how to use case management and timeline programs. 4. Use CaseMap features for managing a case. Activities: Chapter Ten Review LexisNexis CaseMap Download and Tutorial CaseMap Case Management Project Discussion of Final Research Project After Class 3 Assignments: Program Applications Project: Utilizing the Comprehensive Case Study in Appendix 1: 1. Enter all relevant information into CaseMap. 2. Create a timeline. 3. Prepare a report of the parties. Preparation Assignments for Class Four (see next page)

8 CLASS IV ELECTRONIC DISCOVERY & LITIGATION SUPPORT Preparation: Readings: Technology in the Law Office The Internet and Electronic Mail: Chapter Three, pgs Electronic Discovery: Chapter Eleven, pgs Litigation Support: Chapter Twelve, pgs Complete Online Reading Quiz Prior to Class Four Objectives: 1. Understand conceptually how the Internet works. 2. Describe the use of Internet browsers for finding information on the World Wide Web. 3. Discuss issues in the use of the Internet for sending and receiving electronic communications and documents. 4. Understand issues in downloading and installing software from the Internet. 5. Define metadata. 6. Understand the role of list serves and the etiquette in using them. 7. Describe the use and need for encryption technology. 8. Understand the framework for requesting and satisfying requests for documents in electronic format. 9. Understand the issue of spoliation of evidence. 10. Understand the amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that apply to electronic discovery. 11. Appreciate some of the cost issues associated with electronic discovery. 12. Understand the ethical issues in protecting confidential or privileged information. 13. Know what a claw back provision is and its part in a discovery plan. 14. Understand the e discovery process and mechanics. 15. Describe the differences in file formats used in e discovery. 16. Understand what metadata is and how it impacts e document disclosure. 17. Explain the use of software for managing documents in litigation. 18. Understand the ethical issues in document delivery. Activities: Chapter Three Review Chapter Eleven Review Chapter Twelve Review Guest Speaker Electronic Discovery Summation Download and Tutorial After Class Four Assignments: Research & Writing Project: Locate and download a current case on spoliation of evidence relative to electronic discovery. Prepare a one page brief of the case and your own personal comments section on how the case relates to this class.

9 Applications Project: Prepare an electronic discovery request, under the applicable Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, for the case in Appendix 1. Preparation Assignments for Class Five (see next page)

10 CLASS V PRESENTATION AND TRIAL GRAPHICS AND THE ELECTRONIC COURTHOUSE Preparation: Readings: Technology in the Law Office Presentation and Trial Graphics: Chapter Thirteen, pgs The Electronic Courthouse: Chapter Fourteen, pgs Complete Online Reading Quiz Prior to Class Five Objectives: 1. Understand the use of presentation graphics programs. 2. Find online and program resources for learning how to use the PowerPoint program and its features. 3. Create a basic electronic presentation. 4. Create an accident scene graphic exhibit using a graphic software program. 5. Explain the use of trial presentation programs. 6. Understand the use of technology in the courthouse. 7. Understand the use of technology in the courtroom. 8. Describe the elements of an electronic courtroom. 9. Describe the technology tools used to present cases. 10. Describe the process of working with the court staff and issues of using electronic equipment in the courthouse. Activities: Chapter Thirteen Review SmartDraw Download and Tutorial SmartDraw Diagram Accident Scene Project TrialDirector Download and Tutorial Chapter Fourteen Review Guest Speaker Sanction Assignments: COMPLETE ONLINE FINAL EXAMINATION AFTER CONCLUSION OF COURSE COMPLETE AND SUBMIT FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT AFTER CONCLUSION OF COURSE