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Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2433 (Section: 01, CRN: 10262) Advanced Legal Document Preparation |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Tieranny Decuir | ||||||||
| decuirts@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6548 | ||||||||
| Office | Student Center - Room: 415 | ||||||||
| Office Hours | Monday - 1:00pm-3:00pm Tuesday- 1:30pm-3:30pm Wednesday -1:00pm-3:00pm Thursday- 1:30pm-3:30pm Friday- 10:00am-12:00pm |
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| Additional Contact Information | None | ||||||||
| 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.
The Legal Writing Handbook: Analysis, Research, and Writing By Laurie Currie Oates Edition: 8TH 21 Publisher: Aspen ISBN : 9781543830415 |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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| 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 |
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. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Making the Transition The United States Legal System Mandatory vs. Persuasive Authority Reading Statutes Reading Cases Primary Authority Secondary Authority Finding Tools Citators Developing Effective Research Strategies Drafting Memos Getting the Assignment Drafting the Heading and Statement of Facts Drafting the Issue Statement and Brief Answer Drafting the Discussion Section Drafting the Formal Conclusion Revising, Editing, and Proofreading the Memo Drafting Memos Requiring Other Types of Analysis E-Memos Drafting Advice Letters |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1: Making the Transition Week 2: The United States Legal System Week 3: Mandatory vs. Persuasive Authority Week 4: Reading Statutes/ Reading Cases Week 5: Primary Authority/ Secondary Authority Week 6: Finding Tools / Citators Week 7: Developing Effective Research Strategies Week 8: Drafting Memos/ Getting the Assignment Week 9: Drafting the Heading and Statement of Facts Week 10: Drafting the Issue Statement and Brief Answer Week 11: Drafting the Discussion Section Week 12: Drafting the Formal Conclusion Week 13: Revising, Editing, and Proofreading the Memo Week 14: Drafting Memos Requiring Other Types of Analysis/ E-Memos/ Drafting Advice Letters Week: 15 Motion Briefs WEEK 15: REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM WEEK 16: FINAL EXAM will cover *FINAL WILL BE ONLINE* |
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| Final Exam Date | May 7, 2024 - 8:0 AM Through May 7, 2024 - 11:59 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale |
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 =C 60-69 = D 59 or below= F |
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| Determination of Final Grade |
Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class. Projects - 25% Attendance - 10% Exams - 30% Assignments- 15% Final Exam - 20% |
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| 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. Classroom: If time does not allow the Chapter lecture to finish, it is the student's responsibility to finish the Chapter by reading the chapter, watching videos, etc. Exams: All exams will be administered on testing day. If student fails to show up for the exam, 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. All exams must be completed with-in the normal class period. No talking during Exam or Final. Talking during exam, will result in test being taken up and student will be asked to leave the room. Student grade will be a zero for the test. No exceptions. Make-up or Late Assignments and Quizzes: Will be at the discretion of the instructor. 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 or by email. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person. 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 problem 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. Cell Phones in Class: All cell phones are to be placed on silent, not vibrate. If you must take or make a call, please leave the classroom. NO texting is allowed in class. During exams, all cell phones are to be placed on silent and out of sight. Any phone within view will be taken up and will be given back to student when student finishes their test. Second incident will result in a penalty of 10 points taken off of the test. |
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| Attendance Policy | Attendance is worth 10% of your grade. | ||||||||
| Additional Information |
TimelyCare
FREE 24/7 Virtual Care For Students Lamar State College Port Arthur students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyCare, designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. Download the app here. As part of Lamar State College Port Arthur’s partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services in TimelyCare, including:
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| 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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