Spring 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2433- Section: 01
Advanced Legal Documents Preparation 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Doneane Beckcom
E-mailbeckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6548
Office
Location:Student Center - Room: 415
Hours:MW 10AM - 11AM; TR 9AM - Noon; F 9AM - 11AM; otherwise by appointment
Department
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
E-mail:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381

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.
Course Information
Description Use of office technology skills in preparation of legal documents by paralegals based on hypothetical situations drawn from various areas of law.
Prerequisites ENGL 1301 and successful completion of 12 semester hours of LGLA courses.
Learning Outcomes (Related PSLOs in parenthesis)

PSLO Alpha measured by pretest/posttest
All other PSLOs measured by embedded test questions, in class discussions, in class computer projects, and instructor observation

1. Use terminology related to legal document preparation (ALPHA, 1, 2)
2. Draft transaction and litigation documents based on hypothetical situations (ALPHA, 2, 4)
3. Distinguish among the various transaction and litigation documents (ALPHA, 1, 2, 4)
4. Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to legal document preparation (1, 2, 3, 4)
Core Objectives
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills: demonstrates comprehension of content (legal) area.
PSLO 1: understand legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment.
PSLO 2: apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
PSLO 3: demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
PSLO 4: exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
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.

Legal Document Preparation Manual, from the Paralegal Certificate Course
Center for Legal Studies
Available on Amazon
ISBN 978-0-9637248-4-7

Basics of Legal Document Preparation
Cummins, latest edition
ISBN 0-8273-6799

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.
Lecture Topics
Outline		 We will cover one chapter in each textbook per week, starting with the Cummins book. We will work through it for the first ten to twelve weeks of the semester and then move into the other textbook. See the schedule below. You will be provided access to ProDoc, which is the document production software we will use in the lab, so that you can download it on your personal laptop and use it at home for assignments (and in your internship for those of you also enrolled this semester).
Major Assignments
Schedule		 Week 1: Intro, Cummins Chapter 1 Fundamentals of Legal Document Prep, Intro to ProDoc
Week 2: Chapter 2 Contracts, Lab Assignment
Week 3: Chapter 3 Real Estate, Lab Assignment
Week 4: Chapter 4 Corporations, Lab Assignment
Week 5: Chapter 5 Partnerships, Lab Assignment, Test 1 (Chapters 1 - 4)
Week 6: Chapter 6 Wills, Chapter 7 Trusts, Lab Assignments
Week 7: Chapter 9 Federal and State Pleadings, Lab Assignment
Week 8: SPRING BREAK
Week 9: Chapter 10 Discovery, Lab Assignment, Test 2 (Chapters 5 , 6, 7, 9)
Week 10: Chapter 11 Domestic Relations, Lab Assignment
Week 11: Chapter 12 Appellate Procedure, Lab Assignment, Test 3 (Chapters 10 - 12)
Week 12: Center for Legal Studies book, Chapter 3 Federal and State Pleadings, Lab Assignment
Week 13: Chapter 4 Federal Discovery, Lab Assignment
Week 14: Chapter 5 Federal Appellate Procedure, Lab Assignment
Week 15: Review for final test and final project (project due on last day of class with final test)
Week 16: Final (last day of class)
Final Exam Date May 6, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 6, 2020 - 9:55 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Tests: 60%
Lab projects: 10%
Attendance: 10%
Final/Final Project: 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies The best way to reach me is via email at beckcomde@lamarpa.edu. If you need to discuss grade please make an appointment to see me in my office or via phone.
Attendance Policy Regular attendance to class and lab is required. The information presented in this course is not something that you can learn on your own or get from another student if you are missing classes.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
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.
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other Cell phone for emergencies: 409-718-8613
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.