Paralegal Studies

Introduction to Paralegal Studies is a survey of the U.S. legal system, the substantive and procedural law of Massachusetts, and the role of the paralegal in the legal profession. Topics include professional ethics, civil and criminal procedures, constitutional law, as well as basic legal analysis, research, and writing. In addition, the course will provide an overview of substantive law's areas of practice: family law, real estate law, criminal law, estate planning, business law, torts, contracts, and bankruptcy law. Three lecture hours per week.

This course presents an overview of the stages of civil litigation and the rules of civil procedure. Students learn how to gather information and evidence in a civil lawsuit. Students gain a thorough understanding of the discovery process and prepare appropriate discovery materials and respond to discovery requests. Students draft complaints, answers, and motions and file and obtain service of court documents. Pre or co-requisite: PLS 100. Three hours of lecture per week.

This course introduces students to American Civil Law. Torts is the study of civil wrongs, as distinct from criminal or contract law. This course will review the elements of torts, damages, remedies, and ethics. The course covers theories of tort liability including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, product liability, professional malpractice, defamation, nuisance and related torts. Students will learn and practice the role of the paralegal in the preparation of a tort claim. Pre or Co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This course will familiarize the student with the operations of a law office including establishing an understanding of basic management principles and concepts, personnel management, client relationship and communication skills, legal fees (timekeeping and billing practices), client trust funds and law office accounting, and office systems and technology. This course also familiarizes students with calendaring, docket control, and case management and records file management. Three lecture hours per week.

This course presents a practical, hands-on approach to developing basic legal research skills and understanding relevant legal terminology. Students are introduced to a wide array of primary and secondary law resources, first using law books and then moving to electronic resources. Assignments require students to refine their skills by focusing on specific legal issues and finding key points of law. The course emphasizes the use of legal citators and cite checking. Prerequisite: Pre or co-requisite ENG 101 and PLS 100. Three hours of lecture per week. 3 credits.

This course presents an overview of family law with particular emphasis on the procedural aspects of the marriage contract, property rights of the parties, legal roles of husband and wife, adoption, protection from abuse, alimony, child support, and termination of marriage. The role of the paralegal in a family law office is studied. Pre or co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This course offers an overview of bankruptcy law and procedure to prepare paralegal students to assist attorneys representing debtors and creditors. It will cover commencement of a case, preparation of petitions and schedules, operating and liquidating procedures, adversary matters and litigation in bankruptcy court and debtors' and creditors' rights and obligations. Forms utilized in bankruptcy court will be stressed. The course reviews the current Federal bankruptcy code including recent amendments. Pre or co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This course provides an overview of criminal law and procedures from the perspective of legal practitioners with special focus on the respective rights and duties of the defense and prosecution. It explains the fundamental basis and purpose of criminal law in our society and examines the major categories of crime from the common law through their modern codification. It also covers the development and present state of the law as it applies to arrest, search and seizure, statements by the accused and others, the right to counsel, trial proceedings and issues, sentencing, punishment, and appeal. Pre or Co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

In this course students learn the basic skills required in interviewing and investigation. Topics include establishing rapport with the client, questioning techniques (including dealing with a reluctant witness), finding/preserving information, and ethics. Using mock exercises, students will interview and investigate in a variety of legal situations. Prerequisites: PLS 101 and PLS 120 with a grade of C or better. Three lecture hours per week.

This course builds on the legal research and reasoning skills developed in PLS 120. Students are required to apply legal analysis and develop proper writing style by drafting case briefs, legal correspondence, motions and pleadings, and legal memoranda. Students become familiar with other common legal forms and appellate briefs. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisite: PLS 101 and PLS 120 with a grade of C or better.

This course presents the ethical considerations and dilemmas faced by paralegals in their work environment. Students will explore complex ethical issues using case studies, literature, and films. Prerequisites: PLS 101 and PLS 120. Three lecture hours per week.

This course presents the immigration and nationality laws of the United States focusing on the administrative agencies involved in administering those laws. Topics include the immigrant selection system, visas, exclusion, removal, change of status, and refugee/asylum status. Special emphasis given to the paralegal's role in working with aliens and preparing major immigration forms. Prerequisites: PLS 101 and PLS 120. Three lecture hours per week.

This course presents substantive law related to real estate property, including types of ownership, purchase and sales documentation, title examination, deed and mortgage preparation, and closing procedures and documentation. Sample forms including leases, purchase and sale agreements, and closing forms are reviewed and drafted. Pre or Co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This course provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the laws of inheritance and estate planning. Students prepare a basic will and trust document and learn the procedure for probate. Estate planning, the role of the probate courts, and basic inheritance issues are explored and discussed. Pre or co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This course provides an overview of the legal environment of business. Students will concentrate on various legal entities, their advantages, similarities, and differences, and the laws specific to each entity. Students will become familiar with agencies governing businesses and prepare common legal documents. Pre or Co-requisite: PLS 100. Three lecture hours per week.

This internship places students in a law office or in a law-related setting in corporations, courts, banks, government agencies, etc. to further enhance their paralegal training in a work environment under the supervision of a faculty member and an assigned practicing attorney. Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 3.0 and sophomore status, and approval of the program director/department chair. Open only to Paralegal Studies students.

This course will explore the rapidly developing role of software in the area of legal data, eDiscovery, and information governance. We will take an in-depth look at the role of software in the litigation lifecycle from data collection and document review to production and presentation at trial. Students will explore technology used in the litigation support department and by litigation teams in the acquisition of data and eDiscovery processing. Pre-Requisite: PLS 101 or PLS 230 or CRJ 113. Three lecture hours per week, 3 credits.