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SyllabusAPA Litigation Paralegal ProgramBooks: The Litigation Paralegal LPP – Tu/Weds 6pm-9pm12 Weeks Instructor: Dr. Maurice EdmondsEmail address Maurice@Office location: 443.870.3422Office hours: 9am-5pmProgram Description Litigation paralegals are invaluable to attorneys before, during, and after the litigation process. Litigation paralegals form the backbone of the trial team. They manage the thousands of details involved in trial preparation, trial execution, and post-trial work.The major duties and responsibilities of the litigation paralegal (beginning with the investigation phase and ending with the appeals phase):InvestigationLitigation paralegals often take the lead in the pre-claim investigation. The paralegal's role may involve locating and interviewing witnesses, taking witness statements, gathering documents and evidence, creating case investigation notebooks, organizing documents, and creating a chronology of facts. Litigation paralegals on the plaintiff side may conduct initial client interviews and perform initial case assessments. PleadingsLitigation paralegals on the plaintiff side may assist in drafting pleadings including the summons, complaint, and supporting affidavits. Paralegals on the defense side may collaborate with the client to investigate the allegations and formulate responses. Litigation paralegals are often charged with the task of creating and maintaining pleadings indexes and filing pleadings with the court. Paralegals are also responsible for calendar hearing dates and filing deadlines with the court.DiscoveryThe majority of a litigation paralegal's time is spent working on the discovery phase. Litigation paralegals aid attorneys in drafting interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admissions, and other discovery. Paralegals on the defense side may be called upon to track down knowledgeable persons within the client organization to help develop responses to interrogatories and other discovery requests. Paralegals also create and maintain discovery indexes; organize voluminous case files; calendar discovery deadlines; organize, review, and analyze documents for production; prepare deposition summaries; organize, summarize, and analyze medical records, and assist with e-discovery. Litigation paralegals often conduct legal research, analyze issues, and craft legal research memos. Many are also tasked with some of the same responsibilities as a typical journalist. They must conduct factual research and gather relevant information from a variety of resources such as newspapers, libraries, police, and fire departments, trade associations, and traditional and social media.Pre-trialThe litigation paralegal's communication and organization skills are invaluable in the pre-trial stage of litigation. Litigation paralegals organize and index exhibits, prepare trial binders, and manage document-intensive files.Litigation paralegals also serve as a liaison between the trial team and third parties such as witnesses, clients, vendors, expert witnesses, and courtroom personnel. If the trial takes place out of town, litigation paralegals are often tasked with coordinating logistics such as setting up the war room, reserving hotel rooms and office space, and renting or purchasing necessary equipment.TrialDuring the trial phase, litigation paralegals are indispensable for the attorney. Paralegals organize exhibits, documents, and evidence. They also transport and set up files and exhibits in the courtroom; prepare and issue subpoenas; assist in preparing witnesses; research and evaluate prospective jurors; and serve as a liaison between clients, witnesses, experts, vendors, and the trial team.In the courtroom, litigation paralegals assist with voir dire and jury selection. They also handle exhibits; pull together necessary documents; prepare witnesses and witness files; observe the jury; take notes on the attorney's behalf; order and review trial transcripts, and interact with clients, vendors, experts, and courtroom personnel. Paralegals may also help prepare jury instructions and conduct post-trial interviews of the jurors.SettlementLitigation paralegals often assist attorneys with case settlements. Their role may include gathering and organizing data and information needed for settlement; creating settlement brochures; distributing statements or negotiations checklists; drafting settlement agreements and releases, and assisting at pretrial conferences.AppealLitigation paralegals help to identify issues for appeal; gather and organize documents for a record on appeal and/or a joint appendix; index cases for a table of authorities; assist in the research phase; help in the drafting of appellate documents, and file documents with the court.The program explores critical professional competencies in demand by employers, preparing you for the real day-to-day tasks of the field. Through the program, you will participate in focused coursework that examines the fundamental nuances of the following: ? Legal writing ? Legal Terminology ? Legal Research ? Drafting Complaints ? Filing Law suits/Service of Process/Obtaining Default judgment ? Motions/Answers, and Other Pleadings ? Discovery/Interrogatories ? Depositions ? Alternative Dispute Resolution ? Trial Preparation ? AppealsProgram Objective: The objectives of the program are to educate, train and prepare laypersons to assist attorneys in their daily tasks and to economically and efficiently deliver these legal services in the private and public sector of the legal community. The objectives coincide with the Mission Statement of American Paralegal Association, which includes responding to the needs of the community, providing superior academic, technical and training programs, encouraging the pursuit of lifelong learning and promoting responsible citizenship.Program Goals:There are three fundamental goals of the Paralegal Studies Program:? to enhance and encourage critical thinking, organizational and communication skills; ? to prepare students to enter the private and public sectors and assist attorneys in preparing legal work in the representation of clients.; and ? to promote the growth of the paralegal profession by providing attorneys within the community with graduates who have substantial training in the practical application of the law and legal procedures.The purpose of this program is for training students to become paralegals and is not intended to be a program for training lawyers or administratorsRequired Texts, Materials, or EquipmentThe Litigation Paralegal (5th) Edition - ISBN-13: 978-1418016043 ISBN-10: 1418016047Class Participation Chapters reading before class is essential. Students should be prepared for discussions via lecture work book daily assignments. There will be a weekly test based on chapters covered. Conversation and critical thinking are key elements for the litigation paralegal; therefore, being prepared during lecture is a critical component of the program.Course Grading An overall average of 70% or above is required to successfully pass program. (based on weekly quizzes)A= 90-100B= 80-89C= 70-79Below 70 = FATTENDANCE POLICY Tardiness - If student is 15 minutes late 3 times or more during any given semester, it will count as an absence. Students must maintain 80% attendance rate; therefore, during any given semester, a student cannot miss more than 9 classes or student is subject to fail. A written warning will be given to student upon second tardiness beyond 15 minutes late. If student’s absence goes beyond 80%, student will be placed on probation. Student must maintain 100% attendance for remainder of semester or student will be terminated from program due to attendance violations.Program Outline:Week 1: Welcome to the Law OfficeOffice Orientation and EthicsCourts and JurisdictionCasesWeek 2: The Initial Interview/Legal ResearchThe Interview PlanThe InterviewStatute of LimitationSummarizing the InterviewKeeping the client InformedWeek 3: Evidence & InvestigationThe Relationship of Evidence law (Evidence in General, Admissible Evidence, Inadmissible Evidence)Planning the InvestigationEthical and Related considerationsPreserving EvidenceWeek 4: Drafting the Complaint/Legal ResearchIntroduction The Complaint in Detail (Caption/Body/Remedies & Prayers for Relief)Sample ComplaintsWeek 5: Filing the law Suit/Service of Process/Default JudgmentPreparing the Documents Filing the Law SuitService of ProcessObtaining Default Judgment Week 6: Defending and Testing the Law Suit/Legal ResearchMotionsAnswersResponsive PleadingsSummary JudgmentWeek 7: Discovery and Interrogatories Discovery – Purpose/Preserving/Mandatory Disclosure InterrogatoriesAnswering InterrogatoriesAnalyzing Answer and Compelling a ResponseWeek 8: Discovery Depositions/Legal ResearchDepositionDigesting Depositions and Other DocumentsWeek 9: Discovery – Document Product and Control, Medical Exams, Admissions, Compelling DiscoveryProduction of DocumentsProduction ProcedureRequest for Physical and Mental ExaminationReviewing Interpretation of Medical RecordsRequest for AdmissionObjections, Compelling Discoveries, and SanctionsThe Freedom of Information ActOrganizing FilesWeek 10: Settlement and Other Alternative Dispute ResolutionSettlementSettlement FormsADRArbitrationMediationSummary TrialsWeek 11: Trial Preparation and Trial/Legal ResearchTrial prepPreliminarySubpoena Jury InvestigationAssistance at TrialExhibitsWhen the Paralegal Must TestifyPolling the JuryVerdictFinding of Fact and Conclusion of LawWeek 12: Post trail Practice from Motion to AppealPost-Trial motionJudgment and Bill of CostsEnforcement of the JudgmentAppeal ................
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