Paralegal Studies

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe the role and general responsibilities of a paralegal.
• explain the structure and fundamental functions of the American legal system.
• understand and use basic legal terminology appropriately.
• analyze and evaluate fact patterns.
• research basic information in appropriate legal research sources.
• differentiate between the basic procedures and purposes of civil and criminal law.
• integrate knowledge of ethical obligations into all aspects of practice.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify the practical procedural aspects of litigation, including parties, jurisdiction, venue, claims, pleadings, defaults, and statutes of limitation.
• differentiate between the roles, duties, and responsibilities of paralegals across various types of civil litigation practices.
• apply knowledge of civil procedures to select and complete appropriate forms and documents required for submission to California courts.
• locate and understand California statutes and court rules to ensure compliance with procedural requirements for each phase of litigation.
• explain the discovery process and identify key tools for gathering and assessing evidence.
• analyze ethical issues that commonly arise in civil litigation.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• define the essential elements of common tort causes of action, including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability.
• outline the typical progression of a personal injury (PI) case, from client intake through trial preparation.
• evaluate and analyze evidence relevant to tort claims, assessing its strength and relevance to specific legal arguments.
• apply appropriate defenses to various tort causes of action, demonstrating an understanding of legal principles and strategies.
• classify different types of torts and their respective characteristics appropriately.
• organize and manage case information effectively to support attorneys in building a strong representation for clients in tort cases.
• identify and discuss ethical considerations that arise in tort law practice, ensuring compliance with professional standards and responsibilities.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and describe the essential elements of a valid contract, including mutual assent, consideration, legality, and capacity.
• describe common defenses to contract causes of action.
• evaluate contract disputes, identify claims of breach, and analyze potential remedies.
• interpret standard contract terms, evaluating how they impact the rights and obligations of contracting parties.
• draft clear and concise contract clauses that align with client objectives.
• identify ethical issues arising in a transactional law practice.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and locate primary and secondary sources in federal and California law.
• locate and use appropriate resources for various legal research questions and tasks.
• synthesize the information provided in legal resources into useful summaries or case briefs.
• apply appropriate research strategies to gather information for specific legal questions.
• utilize computer resources to aid the research process.
• organize research findings effectively to support legal analysis.
• demonstrate ethical research practices by recognizing the importance of source reliability, citation, and accuracy.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• compose documents with clear and concise writing, proper structure, and effective tone.
• draft and distinguish between specific legal documents such as interoffice memoranda, court briefs, and client letters.
• produce both objective and persuasive documents.
• demonstrate clarity, organization, and persuasiveness in written work.
• integrate computer research into the creation of legal documents.
• utilize proper citation techniques to attribute sources accurately and appropriately within legal documents.
• identify and apply ethical considerations in legal writing, ensuring compliance with professional standards.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• analyze and apply the principles of e-discovery in compliance with relevant legal standards and ethical considerations.
• evaluate and identify facts, law, and supporting evidence for use in drafting discovery requests and responses.
• demonstrate advanced legal research skills by effectively utilizing online databases to locate current codes, rules, and case law.
• synthesize legal research findings into coherent and persuasive legal documents such as correspondence, discovery, motions, and briefs.
• develop research and writing skills to boost investigative abilities and interviewing techniques.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and apply the governing statutes, rules, and procedures that regulate civil and criminal motion practice in California courts.
• conduct advanced legal research to support case analysis.
• draft, format, and assemble motion and opposition papers in accordance with court and local rule requirements.
• prepare and organize supporting evidence including declarations and other exhibits.
• calculate and manage filing, service, and notice deadlines using applicable procedural and statutory requirements.
• identify and evaluate ethical limits on paralegal participation in law and motion practice.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• define the role of the paralegal in family law litigation, including responsibilities for document preparation, client interaction, and supporting attorneys throughout the legal process.
• apply family law procedures and knowledge to prepare documents, manage case files, and facilitate communication between attorneys, clients, and court staff.
• analyze the economic effects of dissolution, including property division, spousal support, and the impact on children and child support arrangements.
• analyze client cases to understand the procedural steps involved in dissolution, child custody, and support matters.
• evaluate ethical issues in family law, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and managing sensitive information related to divorce and child custody.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• define basic elements of administrative law and procedure.
• evaluate simple administrative cases.
• identify the necessary elements of complex administrative law case to assist the attorney.
• analyze ethical issues that may arise in an administrative law practice.
• present a simple administrative case.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the structure and function of the federal and California criminal justice systems.
• identify the substantive elements of crimes and which party has the burden of proof.
• analyze defenses available in criminal proceedings and develop strategies to support them.
• describe constitutional protections within the context of criminal law, including: detention, arrest, search, and seizure.
• understand the different stages of criminal proceedings, including: arrest, arraignment, discovery, trial, judgment, sentencing, and appeal.
• identify, analyze, and discuss ethical issues that can arise in the practice of criminal law.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the key agencies and procedures in U.S. immigration law, including the roles of the Department of Justice, Department of Labor, and Department of State.
• demonstrate effective client interviewing techniques tailored to immigration cases, focusing on cultural sensitivity and the gathering of relevant legal information.
• analyze and classify various immigration statuses and paths to lawful residency and citizenship.
• prepare essential immigration forms and documents accurately and in accordance with procedural requirements (including petitions, affidavits, and applications).
• assess situations for deportation, exclusion, and asylum eligibility, identifying specific factors relevant to each category.
• organize and maintain comprehensive client files and case notes, ensuring compliance with documentation standards and filing deadlines.
• understand ethical considerations unique to immigration law.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and explain the key federal and state evidence rules, including the Best Evidence and Hearsay rules, and how they apply to court proceedings.
• distinguish between different types of evidence, including witness testimony, documentary, and demonstrative evidence.
• explain objections to evidence and establish the grounds necessary to object to the introduction of evidence.
• evaluate and prepare the foundation to introduce evidence for use in trials and hearings.
• address ethical issues that may arise in evidence management.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• distinguish and categorize various types of legal interviews and investigative approaches used in client, witness, and evidentiary contexts.
• demonstrate professional communication skills and effective interviewing techniques to elicit accurate, relevant, and complete information in compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• design and implement structured interview guides and investigative plans to support case strategy, factual development, and attorney decision making.
• produce and assess written interview summaries, investigative reports, and supporting documentation that comply with evidentiary and ethical requirements.
• conduct factual investigations under attorney supervision, including gathering, evaluating, and documenting relevant information from multiple sources.
• analyze and synthesize information obtained during interviews and investigations to identify key facts, inconsistencies, and evidence relevant to legal matters.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• differentiate between the role of the legal administrator and the paralegal.
• apply basic principles of time and records management.
• assess ethical requirements in various law office situations.
• evaluate the various associations for professional development.
• identify appropriate methods of communication in the law office setting.
• demonstrate an understanding of computer technology applications used in the practice of law.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and describe the major technologies used in the practice of law as well as the role and importance of each.
• assess the ethical issues raised by new technologies in the legal field.
• demonstrate technology competence with industry leading electronic discovery platforms.
• analyze the opportunities technology literacy creates in the practice of law, as well as strategies for using technology literacy in practice.
• formulate best practices for electronic discovery.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and apply the legal requirements for forming, operating, merging, and dissolving corporations, including necessary government filings and compliance steps.
• draft and interpret corporate documents, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, and board resolutions.
• evaluate regulatory requirements for securities and corporate transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and asset purchases.
• organize and maintain corporate records, including minute books, resolutions, and filings, ensuring compliance with corporate governance standards.
• analyze corporate financing options, including equity and debt securities, and understand related tax implications and distribution issues.
• identify the appropriate government agencies for filings.
• identify ethical issues commonly encountered in corporate law, including governance, shareholder rights, and compliance with regulations.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the paralegal’s role and responsibilities in civil trial preparation.
• analyze case files and apply advanced civil litigation concepts to support trial strategy.
• plan and organize discovery materials, including depositions, interrogatories, requests for production, and subpoenas.
• prepare and assemble exhibits, witness binders, and trial notebooks for attorney review.
• assist attorneys in trial preparation, including trial calendaring, witness coordination, and courtroom logistics.
• recognize and apply ethical and professional standards in all trial preparation activities.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify appropriate methods for property transfer, including trusts, wills, and beneficiary designations.
• prepare, file, and track necessary probate forms and documents for both testate and intestate estates.
• identify and assist in resolving complex issues in probate, including creditor claims, estate taxation, and valuation of assets.
• collaborate with clients and other professionals (such as accountants and financial advisors) to ensure that estate planning and probate documents reflect clients' needs and legal requirements.
• analyze ethical and confidentiality issues related to estate planning and probate procedures, and apply best practices for client communication and documentation.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify the law that governs landlord-tenant relations.
• select and complete the appropriate forms required by California law.
• create a plan to accommodate the various stages of the landlord-tenant relationship.
• analyze relevant facts to determine an appropriate course of action.
• analyze ethical issues that arise in a landlord-tenant law practice.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and describe fundamental aspects of bankruptcy law and procedure.
• explain the paralegal’s role in bankruptcy practice, including client intake, case preparation, and filing support.
• prepare and organize required documents for a typical bankruptcy filing.
• evaluate research and documentation needs for bankruptcy litigation.
• analyze ethical issues which may arise in a bankruptcy practice.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• analyze the fundamentals of the California Workers' Compensation System.
• understand the role, ethical, and professional responsibilities of the paralegal in the workers' compensation practice.
• research and apply statutes, regulations, Appeals Board decisions, and case law to workers' compensation claims.
• understand discovery tools and dispute resolution procedures in a workers' compensation claim.
• prepare basic forms and documents for a workers' compensation claim.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate application of industry knowledge and theoretical concepts in the field of legal assisting related to a transfer degree level career as written in the minimum three (3) learning objectives created by the student and their employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
• make effective decisions, use workforce information, and manage their personal career plans.
• behave professionally, ethically, and legally during work, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
• behave responsibly during work, exhibiting initiative and self-management in situations where it is needed.
• apply effective leadership styles during work, with consideration to group dynamics, team and individual decision making, and workforce diversity.
• communicate in oral, written, and other formats, as needed, in a variety of contexts during work.
• locate, organize, evaluate, and reference information during work.
• demonstrate originality and inventiveness during work by combining ideas or information in new ways, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, and reshaping goals in ways that reveal new possibilities using critical and creative thinking skills such as logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.