Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1317 (Section: 1H, CRN: 93226)
Law Office Technology 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday / 10:00am-12:00pm 
Tuesday / 2:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday / 9:00am-12:00pm
 Thursday / 2:00pm-4:30pm  
Fridays are available by appointment only.
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description Computer technology and software applications within the law office emphasizing the paralegal's role in the use of law office technology.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Technology in the Law Office

Thomas F. Goldman

Print ISBN 9780133802573, 0133802574

eText ISBN 9780133802634, 0133802639

Publisher- Pearson
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Use legal software to manage electronic files including billing, calendaring, and case management.
     
  • Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to law office technology.
Program Student Learning Outcomes 1. Understand legal terms and the paralegal’s role in the legal environment.
2. Apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
3. Demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
4. Exhibit the ability to use computer skills.  
Lecture Topics Outline Technology in the Law Office: Introduction to the Course
Legal Ethics in a Technology Age
Computers in the Law Office
The Internet, the Cloud and Communications
Word Processing
Spreadsheets and Databases
Utilities, Applications and Tools
Office Management Software
Case Organization and Management Software
Introduction to Electronic Discovery
Electronic Discovery: Evolving Issues
Electronic Discovery: Process and Procedures
Electronic Discovery: Analysis and Review
The Electronic Courtroom
Graphics and Trial Presentation
Major Assignments Schedule
Week Topic Chapter Assignment
Week 1 Technology in the Law Office: Introduction to the Course Chapter 1
Week 2 Legal Ethics in a Technology Age Chapter 2
Week 3 Computers in the Law Office Chapter 3
Week 4 The Internet, the Cloud and Communications
EXAM 1		 Chapter 4 Test includes material in Chapters 1-4
Week 5 Word Processing Chapter 5
Week 6 Spreadsheets and Databases Chapter 6, 7
Week 7 Utilities, Applications and Tools Chapter 8
Week 8 EXAM 2
 
 		 Test includes material in Chapters 5-8
 
Week 9 Office Management Software Chapter 9
Week 10 Case Organization and Management Software Chapter 10
Week 11 Introduction to Electronic Discovery Chapter 11
Week 12 Electronic Discovery: Evolving Issues
EXAM 3		 Chapter 12 Test includes material in Chapters 9-12
Week 13 Electronic Discovery: Process and Procedures Chapter 13
Week 14 Electronic Discovery: Analysis and Review Chapter 14
Week 15 The Electronic Courtroom Chapter 15
Week 16 Graphics and Trial Presentation Chapters 16, 17
FINAL EXAM WEEK  Final Exam Covers material in Chapters 13-17

Final Exam Date December 6, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 11, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale
Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class.
Determination of
Final Grade		 Discussions- 20%
Attendance - 10%
Exams - 25%
Assignments - 25%
Final Exam - 20% 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. Read Assigned Chapter(s) for the week.
2. Study Key Terms.
3. Work any assignments for that week in Blackboard Ultra.

Exams & Assignments : All exams will open on the designated week. If student fails to complete the exam before the closing date, student will receive a zero unless student has an excused absent. (example: Covid, sick, doctor's appointment, etc.) Student is to make arrangements to make up the test. Exams will consist of multiple choice and true or false questions.

Books:

Every student must have a copy of the required textbook or E-book as soon as the bookstore has it available or 2nd week.

Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.

Instructor will put grades into Blackboard. Students should keep a record of their own grades and average. Instructors will not average grades for students.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person or email me.

Make-up or Late Assignments and exams
Will be at the discretion of the instructor. Dishonest/Cheating:

1. Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student, both students will receive a zero on the assignment. There is a difference between helping or showing someone how to do the work and someone giving their assignment to a student to copy.
2. Any student caught cheating on a test or final, will receive a "F" for the course.

It is student's responsibility to check their email and blackboard ultra for any updates to class schedules or class work.

Blackboard Issues: Any log in, passwords, or software problems needs to be resolved by the IT department. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting for IT problems that can't be solved by class work deadlines.

Pearson Issues: If you have issues with Pearson, student is to call Pearson Tech support. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting with Pearson issues.
Attendance Policy Attendance is worth 10% of your grade.
Additional Information None
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381