Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2333 (Section: 1, CRN: 11173)
Advanced Legal Document Preparation 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: By appointment only
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description Use of law 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.

None 
Additional Materials/Resources None 
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
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.
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

  1. Advanced Legal Writing Review

    • Legal writing standards and professionalism

    • Tone, clarity, precision, and formatting

    • Common drafting errors and best practices

  2. Legal Research Integration in Document Preparation

    • Using statutes, case law, and court rules to support drafting

    • Citation formats and authority hierarchy

    • Updating and validating legal authority

  3. Client Intake and Case File Documentation

    • Client intake forms and questionnaires

    • Case summaries and chronologies

    • Confidentiality and document security

  4. Pleadings: Advanced Drafting Techniques

    • Complaints and petitions

    • Answers, counterclaims, and cross-claims

    • Jurisdictional and venue statements

  5. Motion Practice and Supporting Documents

    • Motions and responses

    • Memoranda of law and legal briefs

    • Proposed orders and notices of hearing

  6. Discovery Document Preparation

    • Interrogatories and responses

    • Requests for production and admissions

    • Discovery objections and compliance strategies

  7. Deposition and Investigation Documents

    • Deposition notices and subpoenas

    • Deposition summaries and outlines

    • Investigative reports and witness statements

  8. Contracts and Transactional Documents

    • Contract structure and essential clauses

    • Drafting amendments, addenda, and riders

    • Review for risk, ambiguity, and enforceability

  9. Real Estate and Property Documents

    • Deeds, leases, and closing documents

    • Title and escrow-related paperwork

    • Recording and filing requirements

  10. Family Law Document Preparation

    • Pleadings related to divorce, custody, and support

    • Property division and parenting plans

    • Orders and final judgments

  11. Probate and Estate Planning Documents

    • Wills, trusts, and codicils

    • Probate pleadings and inventories

    • Ethical limitations for paralegals in estate planning

  12. Business and Corporate Legal Documents

    • Formation documents and bylaws

    • Corporate resolutions and minutes

    • Compliance filings and disclosures

  13. Ethics and Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)

    • Paralegal scope of practice

    • Attorney supervision requirements

    • Ethical red flags in document preparation

  14. Court Filing, E-Filing, and Service of Process

    • Local, state, and federal filing rules

    • E-filing systems and document formatting

    • Proof of service and deadlines

  15. Document Review, Editing, and Quality Control

    • Proofreading for accuracy and consistency

    • Version control and document management

    • Redlining and collaborative review

  16. Advanced Practice Skills and Capstone Review

    • Multi-document case file preparation

    • Mock case drafting project

    • Final review and professional readiness
Major Assignments Schedule

Week 1

  • Course Orientation & Drafting Standards Acknowledgment

  • Assignment: Legal Writing Diagnostic (ungraded or participation)

Week 2

  • Assignment 1: Client Intake Form & Case Summary

  • Due: End of Week 2

Week 3

  • Assignment 2: Case Chronology & Fact Outline

  • Due: End of Week 3

Week 4

  • Quiz 1: Legal Writing & Research Integration

  • Due: End of Week 4

Week 5

  • Assignment 3: Draft Complaint or Petition

  • Due: End of Week 5

Week 6

  • Assignment 4: Answer or Responsive Pleading

  • Due: End of Week 6

Week 7

  • Exam 1: Pleadings & Motion Practice

  • Due: End of Week 7

Week 8

  • Assignment 5: Motion with Supporting Memorandum

  • Due: End of Week 8

Week 9

  • Assignment 6: Discovery Set (Interrogatories, Requests for Production, Requests for Admission)

  • Due: End of Week 9

Week 10

  • Quiz 2: Discovery Rules & Ethics

  • Due: End of Week 10

Week 11

  • Assignment 7: Contract or Transactional Document Draft

  • Due: End of Week 11

Week 12

  • Assignment 8: Family Law or Probate Document Packet

  • Due: End of Week 12

Week 13

  • Exam 2: Discovery, Contracts, and Ethics

  • Due: End of Week 13

Week 14

  • Assignment 9: Court Filing Packet (Pleading, Proposed Order, Certificate of Service)

  • Due: End of Week 14

Week 15

  • Capstone Project: Complete Case File Draft (Multiple Documents)

  • Due: End of Week 15

Week 16

  • Final Exam OR Capstone Presentation & Review

  • Due: Final Exam 
Final Exam Date May 11, 2026 - 8:00 AM   Through  April 11, 2026 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Projects – 25%
Attendance – 10%
Exams – 30%
Assignments – 15%
Final Exam – 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

  • Course Communication

    • All course-related communication must be conducted via email at decuirts@lamarpa.edu.

    • Students must use professional and respectful language at all times.

    • Slang, offensive, inappropriate, or foul language will not be accepted and may result in the message not being addressed.

    • Emails must include the student’s full name, course number, and a clear subject line.

    • Grades will not be discussed over the phone.

  • Submission of Work

    • All assignments, projects, and exams must be submitted through Blackboard Ultra.

    • Work submitted outside of Blackboard Ultra (email, text, etc.) will not be accepted unless explicitly approved in advance.

    • Students are responsible for confirming successful submission.

  • Late Work

    • Late work is accepted up to three (3) days after the due date with a 5-point deduction per day.

    • Work submitted more than three days late will receive a zero.

    • Late exams are not accepted unless an excused absence is approved.

  • Make-Up Work

    • Make-up assignments or exams are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of the instructor.

    • Students must communicate promptly and provide appropriate documentation when applicable.

  • Attendance & Participation

    • Attendance is required and contributes to the final course grade.

    • Students are expected to be on time and actively engaged.

    • Attendance may be verified through participation, discussions, or scheduled course activities.

  • Academic Integrity

    • Any student caught cheating or sharing work will receive a zero on the assignment.

    • Helping another student understand material is permitted; providing work to copy is not.

    • Cheating on an exam or final will result in an “F” for the course.

  • Professional Conduct

    • Students are expected to follow all written and verbal instructions.

    • Failure to do so may result in grade penalties.

    • Professional behavior is expected in all coursework, discussions, and communications.

  • Grades

    • Grades will be posted in Blackboard Ultra.

    • Students are responsible for tracking their own grades and averages.

    • The instructor does not calculate grades for students.

  • Course Materials

    • Students must obtain required textbooks or e-books no later than the second week of class.

    • Students are responsible for reviewing assigned PowerPoints, videos, and weekly course materials.

  • Technical Issues

    • Blackboard Ultra login, password, or system issues must be resolved through the IT Department.

    • Pearson-related issues must be addressed through Pearson Technical Support.

    • Students must notify the instructor immediately if technical issues impact deadlines.

  • Instructor Discretion

    • The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the syllabus, course schedule, or policies as necessary.

    • Any changes will be communicated through Blackboard Ultra.

    		•
    Attendance Policy

    This is a face-to-face, on-campus course, and regular attendance is required. Attendance contributes to the student’s overall success and is a required component of the course.

    • Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings and arrive on time.

    • A 10-minute grace period is allowed at the beginning of class.

    • Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late will be counted as absent for that class meeting.

    • Attendance will be recorded by the instructor.

    • Excessive absences may result in grade penalties and may jeopardize successful completion of the course.

    • Students are responsible for obtaining missed materials, notes, and assignments when absent.

    • Absences do not excuse students from completing assignments or meeting deadlines.
    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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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
    Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
    Chair:Shirley MacNeill
    Email:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
    Phone:(409) 984-6365