Legal Assistant
LA-008 - Legal Terminology |
| This self-paced course introduces students to legal terminology found in the language of the laws. Students will learn the terminology and definitions, synonyms, pronunciation and usage in the different areas of law. Proficient use of a legal dictionary/thesaurus will be emphasized--a skill that is required in this field. |
| Units: 1 - 2 |
| Lecture Hours: None | Lab Hours: 3 - 6 | Repeatable: 1 | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 2 | Write: 2 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-010 - Introduction to Law, Legal Research, the Constitution, and Ethics |
| This course provides an introduction to law, legal research, constitutional law, and legal ethics while helping students build the foundational skills necessary to succeed in legal specialty courses and in professional careers. The course includes an overview of constitutional law and court systems, a survey of legal ethics, an introduction to legal research methods, and an examination of current careers for legal professionals. Course objectives include the development of a working knowledge of the legal system, acquisition of basic legal research skills, and an understanding of current ethical guidelines in the law. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-011 - Overview of Contracts, Property, and Tort Law |
| This course provides an essential overview of the three main areas of civil law: contracts, property, and tort law. Students will learn the legal requirements of valid contracts and the functions of commonly used provisions as they gain experience drafting and customizing various contracts. Students will also receive an introduction to property law, including the basic concepts involved in the ownership and use of personal property and real property. The class will also cover the fundamentals of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability torts, and the policies and procedures of a personal injury law office. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-012 - Legal Ethics |
| This course is designed to familiarize the student with the major ethical problems that often arise in various legal settings. Issues covered include confidentiality, conflicts of interest, the unauthorized practice of law, safekeeping client property, malpractice, fees, advertising & competence. Students will gain recognition of ethical rules and boundaries established by federal and state regulators. Students also learn how to recognize and report potential ethical problems for legal assistants as they arise using the codes of Professional Responsibility & Ethics. |
| Units: 1 |
| Lecture Hours: 1 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-014 - Civil Litigation |
| This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental principles and preparation of civil cases for trial. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to draft pleadings, motions and other documents required in a civil action, and will understand trial and appeal procedures. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010 with C or better or 6 months full-time experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-016 - Introduction to California Courts |
| This course serves as an introduction to the various courts of law in the California state court system; including the Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeal, the Superior Courts, and the many specialized courts of limited jurisdiction. The course covers the location of courts, local court rules and statewide rules of court procedure. It will also detail the rules and procedures utilized in many of the specialized courts, such as Family Court, Juvenile Court and small Claims Court. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-020 - Legal Technology and Software |
| This course gives students a thorough overview of technology used in the law office. Students will learn how legal assistants/paralegals can use computer systems and legal software applications to make their jobs easier and improve their value to employers. Topics include word processing, spreadsheets, and databases for the law office; timekeeping and billing; case management/calendaring/docket control; litigation support; computer-assisted legal research; electronic court filing and service of process; courtroom presentation graphics; and specialized legal software. Students will complete online research assignments and use demonstration models of a variety of legal software applications. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 010, with grade of C or better. And, BIS 091 or CIT 010, with grade of C or better, or concurrent enrollment in BIS 091 or CIT 010. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-030 - Bankruptcy |
| This course provides an overview of conditions and laws of bankruptcy and its alternatives. It prepares the student to research and prepare legal documents for handling Chapter 7, 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, whether representing the debtor or creditor or serving as a court appointed trustee. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010 with C or better, or 6 months full-time experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-033 - Tort and Personal Injury Law |
| This course prepares the student to assist attorneys and corporations in tort and personal injury law. The primary legal principles of tort and the various means of establishing insurance plans are covered. The student will be trained in the use of specific forms and procedures utilized in tort and personal injury work. Course content includes intentional torts, negligence, causation, proximate cause, strict liabilities, employer’s liability, nuisance, misrepresentation, and product liability. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010 with C or better, or 6 months full-time experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-036 - Real Estate and Property Law |
| This course covers real property law, purchase and sales agreements, mortgages, leases, easements, deeds, closing and recordings of documents, and title searches. Emphasis will be placed upon interpreting the law, drafting and recording documents related to real property law. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-038 - Family Law |
| This course covers the substantive law in the area traditionally known as “family law” or “domestic relations.” Subjects covered will include dissolution of marriage, adoptions, guardianship, child/spousal/family support, child custody, and paternity. The class will train the student in the skills necessary for working as a legal assistant in the area of family law. Content will include the use of judicial counsel forms, the preparation of pleadings, drafting of declaration, preparation of Income and Expense declarations, the drafting of property settlement agreements, and the use of interviewing checklists. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010 with C or better, or 6 months full-time experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-040 - Criminal Law |
| This course provides the student with a comprehensive understanding of the provisions of criminal law and procedure. Content will include the criminal court system and how it functions; the criminal justice system from arrest to trial and sentencing; elements of and defenses to all major crimes; and an overview of the criminal procedure. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or 010 with C or better, or six months full-time-experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-042 - Laws of Corporations, Partnerships, and Sole Proprietorships |
| This course provides students with a general understanding of the various legal structures of businesses and the laws governing business transactions. Students will learn the basic law of contract, partnerships, corporations, and the Uniform Commercial Code. Emphasis will be on drafting documents appropriate to various business transactions. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010, with C or better, or six months full-time-experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-044 - Intellectual Property Law |
| This course will provide occupational competency for students in the expanding field of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Course content will include patents, trade protection, semiconductor chip protection, Section 43(a) false advertising, unfair competition, publicity rights, and idea submission. For each major specialty area, coverage will also include: The nature of the protected right; what is protected; the requirements for protection; who may be protected; the duration of protection ownership; transfer of ownership; infringement; and remedies. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 008 or LA 010, with C or better, or six months full-time experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal or Legal Assistant. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-046 - Basic Immigration Law |
| This course covers basic immigration law for the paralegal. This is a hands-on approach to identification of people eligible to immigrate, types of visas, citizenship eligibility and application, and special conditions: topics include I.N.S. structure, procedures, and filings; factual, country, and legal research; and immigration case management and technology. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: O |
| Advisory Level — Read: 2 | Write: 2 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-048 - Mediation Principles and Practice |
| This course is designed to introduce students to the principles and process of mediation through exercises, lively discussion, mediation simulation, lectures, and relevant reading materials. Students will learn mediation, communication, and negotiation skills and will understand the formal process of mediation by course end. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: O |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-050 - Constitutional Law |
| This course is designed to present a basic understanding of the U. S. Constitution, from its development to present-day applications. Topics covered include: the formation of the 3 branches of government, state's rights and responsibilities, and the rights afforded individual citizens such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to privacy. The course also covers the rights of persons accused of a crime, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and subsequent statutes. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: 0 | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: 0 |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-071 - Legal Research and Writing-A |
| This course provides the student with a working knowledge of the essential techniques used to research legal issues. The proper use of many law library references are covered including federal and state statutes and codes, Shepard's citations, the West digest and key number systems, legal periodicals, treatises, and the legislative history of statutes and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. Students will also learn how to locate, analyze and brief federal and state case decisions at the county law library. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 010, with grade of C or better. And, BIS 091 or CIT 010, with grade of C or better, or concurrent enrollment in BIS 091 or CIT 010. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-072 - Legal Analysis and Writing |
| This course provides students with advanced skills training in legal analysis, legal writing, and the use of electronic legal research using databases like WESTLAW and LEXIS. Students will be presented with complex legal problems and will learn how to analyze them using the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion). Students will learn to present their legal analyses in professional quality written documents, including trial court pleadings, research memoranda, motions, client opinion letters, demand letters, and more. |
| Units: 3 |
| Lecture Hours: 3 | Lab Hours: None | Repeatable: No | Grading: L |
| Prerequisite: LA 010, with C or better |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |
LA-138 - Work Experience |
| Occupational Work Experience is designed for students who work or volunteer in a field related to their career major. Students are required to provide evidence that they are enrolled in a career program (e.g., education plan or coursework in a career/occupational subject area). Students can earn one unit of credit for each 60 hours of unpaid volunteer time or 75 hours of paid work during the semester. Students can repeat Career/Occupational Work Experience, combined with General Work Experience, or alone, up to a maximum of 16 units. Internship/job placement is not guaranteed. |
| Units: 1 - 8 |
| Lecture Hours: None | Lab Hours: 1.81 | Repeatable: 15 | Grading: O |
| Corequisite: Be employed or a volunteer at an approved work-site for the minimum number of hours per unit as stipulated for paid and unpaid status. |
| Advisory Level — Read: 3 | Write: 3 | Math: |
| Transfer Status: CSU | Degree Applicable: AA/AS |