Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-2339 (Section: 1, CRN: 10260)
Certified Paralegal Exam Review 		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-3:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: By appointment only
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description A review of the mandatory and optional topics covered in the Certified Paralegal Examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
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.

Paralegal's Companion: Fundamentals for Legal Practitioners and Those Preparing for the CP Exam
By Nala
Edition : 3RD 24
Publisher : NATL LEGAL
ISBN 13 : 9798320894041
Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • LGLA-1345 Civil Litigation
Learning Outcomes nAssess the knowledge acquired in the subject matter areas covered in the Certified Paralegal Examination
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
Sample Skills Exam 
The United States Legal System
Civil Litigation
Contracts
Corporate and Commercial Law
Criminal Law & Procedure
Estate Planning and Probate
Real Estate and Property Torts
Bankruptcy
Professional and Ethical Liability
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Clarity of Expression
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Analysis of Information
Decision Making Practice
Major Assignments Schedule

 
Week 1: Skills Exam Prep + Memo Format

  • Sample Skills Exam Introduction
  • How to write a legal memo: Facts / Issues / Analysis / Conclusion

Week 2: Sample Skills Exam
Sample Skills Exam – Timed Writing

  • Issue spotting + applying statutes/rules to facts

Week 3: Skills Exam Essay + Writing Improvement
 
CHAPTER CONTENT STARTS WEEK 4
Week 4: The United States Legal System

  • Court structure (state vs federal)
  • Jurisdiction + legal authority
  • Role of paralegals in the legal system

Week 5: Civil Litigation

  • Pleadings and procedures
  • Discovery overview
  • Deadlines, filing, and litigation workflow

 
Week 6: Contracts

  • Elements of a contract
  • Breach + remedies
  • Statute of Frauds basics

 
Week 7: Corporate and Commercial Law

  • Business entities (LLC, corporation, partnerships)
  • Compliance basics
  • Commercial disputes overview

 
Week 8: Criminal Law & Procedure

  • Elements of crimes
  • Constitutional rights
  • Criminal process and defenses

 
Week 9: Estate Planning and Probate

  • Wills and trusts
  • Probate process
  • Estate documents and legal roles

 
Week 10: Real Estate and Property

  • Ownership and deeds
  • Landlord/tenant basics
  • Property interests and transfers

 
Week 11: Torts

  • Negligence + intentional torts
  • Causation + damages
  • Defenses and liability concepts

 
Week 12: Bankruptcy

  • Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13
  • Dischargeable vs non-dischargeable debts
  • Bankruptcy process overview

 
Week 13: Professional and Ethical Liability

  • Paralegal ethics + boundaries
  • Confidentiality, privilege, conflicts
  • Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)

 
Week 14: Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Clarity of Expression

  • Grammar rules for legal writing
  • Spelling and word usage
  • Punctuation for clarity and meaning
  • Professional tone and formatting

 
Week 15: Critical Thinking + Reading Comprehension + Analysis of Information

  • Identifying relevant facts
  • Reading legal passages effectively
  • Issue framing + applying authority
  • Strengthening reasoning skills for the CP exam

 
Week 16: Decision Making Practice + Comprehensive Review

  • Structured decision-making steps
  • Ethics-based decision scenarios
  • Full course review + practice questions
  • Final exam prep / mock exam (if assigned)
Final Exam Date May 11, 2026 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 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		 Discussions- 20%
Attendance - 10%
Skill Exams - 25%
Assignments - 25%
Final Exam - 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Weekly Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to complete the following each week:

  • Read the assigned chapter(s).

  • Complete all assigned coursework in Blackboard Ultra by the posted deadlines.
Assignments & Exams
  • All assignments and exams will open during the designated week.
  • Exams must be completed by the posted closing date.
  • Failure to complete an exam by the deadline will result in a zero, unless the student has an excused absence (e.g., illness, COVID, doctor’s appointment, or other documented emergencies).
  • Students with excused absences must contact the instructor before or immediately after the deadline to arrange a make-up exam.
  • Exams will consist of multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions.
Late Work Policy
  • Late work is accepted up to three (3) days after the original due date.
  • A 5-point deduction per day will be applied for each day the work is late.
  • Work submitted more than three (3) days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.
  • Late exams are not accepted unless an excused absence is approved by the instructor.
 
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 documentation when applicable.
Required Course Materials
  • Every student must obtain the required textbook or e-book no later than the second week of class, or as soon as it becomes available through the bookstore.
Instructions & Professional Conduct
  • Failure to follow written or verbal instructions may result in grade penalties.
  • Students are responsible for checking Blackboard Ultra and their school email regularly for updates, announcements, and schedule changes.
Grades & Communication
  • Grades will be posted in Blackboard Ultra.
  • Students are responsible for tracking their own grades and averages.
  • The instructor does not calculate averages for students.
  • Grades will not be discussed over the phone.
Communication Policy
  • All course-related communication must be conducted via email at:
    decuirts@lamarpa.edu
  • Students must use professional and respectful language in all communications.
  • 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.
Academic Integrity (Dishonesty & Cheating)
  • Any student caught cheating or sharing their work will receive a zero on the assignment.
    There is a clear difference between helping someone understand an assignment and giving someone work to copy.
  • Any student caught cheating on an exam or final will receive an “F” for the course.
Technical Issues
Blackboard Ultra
  • Login, password, or software issues must be resolved through the IT Department.
  • Students must notify the instructor of any technical issues that may affect deadlines.
Instructor Discretion
The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the syllabus, course schedule, or policies as necessary. Any changes will be communicated through Blackboard Ultra.
Attendance Policy

Attendance accounts for 10% of the final course grade. Students are expected to be present and on time for all scheduled class meetings.

  • Students must be present and punctual.

  • A 10-minute grace period is allowed at the start 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 negatively impact the final grade.
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:CASP
Email:CASP
Phone:(409) 983-4921