Spring 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2433- Section: 01
Advanced Legal Document Preparation 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Doneane Beckcom
E-mailbeckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6548
Office
Location:Student Center - Room: 415
Hours:Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8AM - Noon; otherwise by appointment
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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 * Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
* Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.
* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
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.

I WILL PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ON BLACKBOARD. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THEM, BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEARCH FOR THEM ONLINE YOU CERTAINLY CAN.

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 (THIS BOOK IS NO LONGER IN PRINT BUT I HAVE SEEN IT ONLINE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES)
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		 Week 1: Fundamentals of Legal Document Prep, Intro to ProDoc
Week 2: Contracts
Week 3: Real Estate
Week 4: Corporations
Week 5: Partnerships
Week 6: Wills and Trusts
Week 7: Federal and State Pleadings
Week 8: Discovery
Week 9: SPRING BREAK
Week 10: Domestic Relations
Week 11: Appellate Procedure
Week 12: Federal and State Pleadings Part 2
Week 13: Federal Discovery
Week 14: Federal Appellate Procedure
Week 15: Review for final and final project (project due on last day of class)
Week 16: Final
Major Assignments
Schedule		 Week 1:
Intro (Cummins textbook)
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: (winter storm closure)

Week 8:
Chapter 9 Federal and State Pleadings, Lab Assignment

Week 9: SPRING BREAK

Week 10:
Chapter 10 Discovery, Lab Assignment,
Chapter 11 Domestic Relations, Lab Assignment, Test 2 (Chapters 5 , 6, 7, 9)

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 (covers chapters from second textbook covered in weeks 12 - 15 ONLY)
Final Exam Date May 6, 2021 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 12, 2021 - 12:0 PM
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.

ALL TESTS ARE ONLINE VIA BLACKBOARD. If you have an emergency during a test (BB glitches, internet goes down, etc.) you can TEXT me at 409-718-8613 (between 8AM and 7PM, NO EARLIER OR LATER!).

I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must make an appointment and we will meet via ZOOM or you can come to campus if you are comfortable doing that.
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. THIS IS THE ONLY ON CAMPUS CLASS IN THE PARALEGAL PROGRAM THIS SEMESTER, SO PLEASE DO NOT MISS CLASS OR LAB IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!
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.
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA 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 MyLSCPA.
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.
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.