AAS Paralegal Program Student Survey The purpose of this survey is to assess your familiarity and comfort level with the courses taken and skills developed throughout the Paralegal Program. Please answer each question truthfully and to the best of your ability to each statement below. Chose from one of the choices below to answer each statement: A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Neutral D. Disagree E. Strongly Disagree 1. Do you have the ability to define the various categories of torts and differentiate among a tort, crime, and a breach of contract? 2. Can you analyze and describe the procedural steps in tort litigation? 3. Can you read, brief, and analyze tort case law and distinguish between intentional and unintentional torts? 4. Can you define various legal concepts applicable to the tort of negligence? 5. Can you define product liability, the theory of warranty and strict liability causes of action? 6. Can you discuss the various types of damages available to an injured individual? 7. Can you explain liability issues? 8. Can you discuss and differentiate and discuss various types of insurance and causes of action against insurers? 9. Can you explain the arbitration process and dispute resolution? 10. Can you discuss and differential the Illinois and Federal court systems? 11. Can you explain the difference between criminal and civil law? 12. Can you define and discuss the categories and components of a crime? 13. Can you discuss the respective roles and professional ethical concerns of the prosecutor, the defense attorney, the judge, and the paralegal? 14. Can you distinguish among and explain the various types of defenses? 15.Can you define the terms actus reus and mens rea? 16. Can you discuss the concepts involved in search and seizure?
17. Can you explain the process of confessions and pretrial identification procedures and the role of the paralegal for both prosecution and defense? 18. Can you differentiate and discuss the types of sentencing punishments, the review process, and the appeals procedure 19. Can you explain the effective use of the paralegal in the discovery and litigation processes and the applicable ethical principles? 20. Can you apply the necessary skills in the process of legal analysis? 21. Can you define the difference between primary and secondary sources? 22. Can you correct citations to produce legal writing? 23. Can you identify and define research terms? 24. Can you identify the proper legal authority and the determination of governing law? 25. Can you distinguish among different types of common legal documents and state their purpose? 26. Can you locate, analyze, and update case law? 27. Can you list the common types of legal documents and explain their purposes? 28. Can you explain the importance and purposes of the state and federal constitutions, statutes, and administrative law;? 29. Can you analyze and explain the elements of court decisions? 30. Can you use both traditional and online tools for pertinent legal research and use findings to draft documents and write clear, concise legal arguments? 31. Can you distinguish the components of briefs and opinions? 32. Can you demonstrate the legal research and writing process, including the use of appropriate legal software, to create a variety of legal documents and correspondence? 33. Can you create a sample legal memoranda? 34. Can you define real property vs. personal property and discuss the categories of each? 35. Can you differentiate between private and public restrictions on ownership?
36. Can you identify and discuss the purpose and use of the various types of real estate forms and contracts? 37. Can you help prepare, under supervision, a residential real estate contract and other documents? 38. Can you explain the process and importance of title examination? 39. Can you discuss the principles of real property insurance? 40. Can you list and discuss the steps for real estate closings and the attendant government regulations? 41. Can you list and discuss the basic types of business organization? 42. Can you differentiate and explain the basic elements necessary for contract formation? 43. Can you analyze and propose solutions for problems encountered in contract performance, including discharge of performance and resulting damages and remedies for breach of contract? 44. Can you draft contract provisions and discuss the ethical standards and implications of forming contracts and drafting contracts? 45. Do you understand and can you explain the role of the paralegal in family law and the ethical principles involved? 46. Can you identify and explain the laws governing family relationships? 47. Can you list and discuss the requirements for a valid marriage contract? 48. Can you differentiate and explain the basic principles governing dissolution, separation, divorce, and annulment? 49. Can you define mediation, arbitration, and conciliation? 50. Can you describe the economic consequences to divorce, particularly regarding the issues of property division and spousal and child support? 51. Can you apply and explain the principles of law regarding issues affecting children and the proceedings in those areas?
52. Can you perform basic legal research and prepare basic legal documents concerning family law such as necessary pleadings and supporting documents? 53. Can you describe the appropriate procedures to follow from the beginning of a dissolution action through the final decree and any post-decree modification? 54. Can you discuss alternative reproductive techniques and the consequences to issues in family law? 55. Can you explain the paralegal procedures and the ethical concerns involved in the litigation process, such as interviewing, filing court documents, serving papers and other activities? 56. Can you utilize technology to fulfill paralegal duties? 56. Can you define civil litigation vs. criminal litigation? 57. Can you describe the court systems? 58. Can you explain the determination of jurisdiction and venue? 59. Can you list and explain the steps of the initial phases of initiating litigation? 60. Can you describe the discovery process? 61. Can you explain the steps in preparing, serving, and responding to motions? 62. Can you define and explain the various types of dispositions and the attendant role of the paralegal? 63. Can you explain the purpose and the process of interrogatories 64. Can you draft, under supervision, various legal documents used in civil litigation? 65. Can you discuss the concept of property and its transfer as related to wills, trusts, and estate administration? 66. Can you differentiate and explain the steps in the estate planning process?
67. Can you describe the probate procedure and the laws for different probate proceedings? 68. Can you distinguish among and discuss the types of fiduciary responsibility? 69. Can you differentiate between the transfer of property with and without a will? 70. Can you explain the use of different types of wills and trusts? 71. Can you apply Illinois statutory guidelines to the drafting of wills? 72. Can you identify and explain the legal documents that best fit common estate planning situations? 73. Can you research and draft (under supervision) estate planning documents? 74. Can you describe the role of the paralegal in estate planning and the probate process and apply appropriate ethical considerations? 75. Can you define the role of the paralegal in the legal system? 76. Can you discuss the implications of paralegal regulation and paralegal ethics? 77. Can you define the components of a well-run legal office and describe how a paralegal might assist in the running of that office? 78. Can you participate in some of the basic roles of client interviewing and information gathering? 79. Can you discuss the foundations of the American legal system and the structure of our courts? 80. Can you explain the various types of legal research and writing, as well as the purpose of case reporters and statute books? 81. Can you describe the roles paralegals can play in specialty law areas such as litigation, torts, personal injury, criminal law, business organizations, family law, estate planning, real estate, intellectual property, and contracts? 82. Can you explain the process of briefing a case?
83. Can you draft an intake memo?