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Courses >
Law & Legal Careers > Paralegal Preparation 1
 If you're interested in becoming a paralegal, this course is an important first step. Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, help lawyers prepare for trials. Paralegals are responsible for investigating the facts of a case and review laws, legal decisions, and legal articles that might be relevant to the case. Paralegals may also prepare written reports, arguments, pleadings, and motions. Paralegals are also often charged with organizing and tracking files, and may also draft contracts, estate plans, agreements, and other common legal documents. Demand for paralegals continues to be strong as more and more private law offices are turning to paralegals to help them reduce costs and provide more legal services in less time.
This course provides an overview of the American judicial system focusing on the origins of American law and the litigation process.
Important: This six-course series will provide you with the skills and knowledge you will need to perform the basic duties of a paralegal. By the time you finish this series, you will have a solid understanding of what activities a paralegal must perform and how to perform them. If you are interested in becoming a paralegal, completing this program will take you one step closer to your goal. However, please understand that this is a non-credit program and it does not lead to any type of professional certification or a degree. Although there is no current requirement in any state other than California that a paralegal have any level of professional experience or hold any type of degree, most employers prefer to hire paralegals who have experience working in a law office and/or an associate's degree, in addition to the skills and knowledge taught in this program. If you have not already done so, we recommend that you consider working as an intern in a law office and/or enrolling in an accredited two-year college degree program while (or soon after) completing this series of courses.
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Scott and Lisa Hatch.
 Scott Hatch has presented paralegal courses since 1980. He is listed in Who's Who in California, Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and has been named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America by the United States Jaycees. He was a contributing editor to The Judicial Profiler (McGraw-Hill and the Colorado Law Annotated (West/Lawyers Co-op)series, and editor of several award-winning publications. He is author of Paralegal Procedures and Practices, published by West Publishing, as well as books on mediation and legal investigation.
Lisa Zimmer Hatch, M.A., has been teaching legal certificate and standardized test preparation courses since 1987. She graduated with honors in English from the University of Puget Sound, and received her master's degree from California State University. She is co-author of numerous law and standardized test texts.
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Requirements:
Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). High School Diploma or equivalent, college experience and/or law office experience is helpful but not required. You will also need to purchase the following textbooks through Amazon.com before the course begins: - Basics of Legal Document Preparation, Robert R. Cummins, Albany: Delmar Publishers Inc., 1996
- Federal Civil Rules Booklet, current edition
- Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills, 6th Edition, by William Statsky, Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1997
- Paralegal Procedures and Practices, by Scott A. and Lisa Zimmer Hatch. Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1993
Syllabus:
All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.
A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.
| Week One |
| Wednesday - Lesson 01 |
The American Legal System
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| Friday - Lesson 02 |
The Litigation Process
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| Week Two |
| Wednesday - Lesson 03 |
Paralegals in the Litigation Process
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| Friday - Lesson 04 |
Legal Terminology
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| Week Three |
| Wednesday - Lesson 05 |
Regulation of Paralegals
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| Friday - Lesson 06 |
Ethical Considerations for Attorneys and Paralegals
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| Week Four |
| Wednesday - Lesson 07 |
Overview of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
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| Friday - Lesson 08 |
Important Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for Paralegals
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| Week Five |
| Wednesday - Lesson 09 |
Contract Law
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| Friday - Lesson 10 |
Contract Law Documents
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| Week Six |
| Wednesday - Lesson 11 |
Tort Law
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| Friday - Lesson 12 |
Tort Law Practice
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To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
Student Reviews:
"Having never worked in a legal firm, this course has been quite informative and interesting. Additionally, this was my first online course. I'm encouraged to continue with online education."
"I find the online environment streamlines the learning process, delivering an education at a pace that suits the individual student. The discussion area provides a venue for those who need further assistance, while those of us who need little or no assistance get to zoom ahead! Whenever I took courses in a traditional classroom environment, I found it frustrating and time consuming each time the instructor would get tied up in an explanation to a fellow classmate. This was a vast improvement. Thank you!"
"I found many of the questions that relate to my daily position as a legal secretary were answered and I feel I obtained a better grasp of my job duties. I look forward to the next course with anticipation."
"I learned a lot of material so far that will be useful in my future career. I can't wait for the next course!"
"I love taking this Paralegal course! On-line makes it so much better than having to rush after work to a college campus while eating a pack of crackers and a soda for dinner. I plan on taking all of the paralegal program courses."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this class. The instructor was quite helpful, and the discussion areas were lively and informative. I am looking forward to completing the Paralegal cetificate program."
"It was interesting to attend an on-line class. It actually forces you to THINK more than you would in a classroom where you have the input of others at the moment the questions are asked."
"I would definetely take other online classes. Loved the format of the course. No frills; just practical, straight to the point information. Has been a great learning experience. Thanks."
"Thanks for a terrific and enjoyable class. I have a better understanding of law in general and how it affects our daily lives."
"This being my first experience with an online programm, I am impressed with the scope of the information and the structure of the program. I have enjoyed the lessons and the break down of the program. I look forward to continuing with the program."
To purchase this course, click the Enroll Now button below:
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