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Spring 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2433 (Section: 01, CRN: 10262) Advanced Legal Document Preparation |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Doneane Beckcom | ||||||||
| beckcomde@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6548 | ||||||||
| Office | Student Center - Room: 415 | ||||||||
| Office Hours | M-F: 8AM-9AM; M-TH: 1PM-2PM; otherwise by appointment |
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| Additional Contact Information | |||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||
| 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.
Legal Drafting Brody, et al. Aspen Publishers ISBN 0-7355-1693-6 THE ABOVE BOOK IS THE PRIMARY ONE WE WILL USE IN CLASS. 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 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. |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | ENGL 1301 and successful completion of 12 semester hours of LGLA courses. | ||||||||
| Learning Outcomes |
1. Use terminology related to legal document preparation 2. Draft transaction and litigation documents based on hypothetical situations 3. Distinguish among the various transaction and litigation documents 4. Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to legal document preparation |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes |
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. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Introduction to legal drafting Process of legal drafting Writing carefully Drafting Estate Plan Documents Drafting Contracts Drafting Pleadings Drafting Legislation Real Estate Corporations Partnerships Discovery Family Law Appellate drafting Federal and State pleadings |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Weeks 1 - 7: Brody textbook by chapter, lab assignments by chapter each week Weeks 8 - 16: Cummins and Center for Legal Studies electronic books by chapter, lab assignments by chapter each week Week 5: Test 1 Week 9: Test 2 Week 12: Test 3 Week 16: Final projects DUE There is NOT a final exam in this class; your "final" is a series of drafting assignments that are due no later than May 8 at 5PM |
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| Final Exam Date | May 1, 2023 - 8:00 AM Through May 8, 2023 - 5:00 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 Projects: 20% |
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| 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. Attendance will be taken each class meeting and will be reflected in your final grade. COME TO CLASS AND BE ON TIME! | ||||||||
| Additional Information | Cell phone for emergencies only, send a text between the hours of 7AM - 7PM ONLY 409-718-8613 | ||||||||
| 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. |
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| 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 |
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