| Course List: |
| LAS100 |
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THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION
Focus on the role, responsibilities, and ethical standards of a legal assistant/paralegal. Provides an overview of the legal system and the role of the legal assistant in the legal system. Emphasis on professional development and job-search strategies. Prerequisites: None. |
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| LAS101 |
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INTRODUCTION TO LAW
Legal terminology and basic legal principles in the areas of tort, contract, and criminal law. Interrelationships among lawyers, the court system, and law enforcement and administrative agencies. Development of a case for trial, adjudication, and post-verdict procedures in the civil and criminal systems. Prerequisites: None. Suggested but not required: ENG101 and CRE101, or exemption by score on the reading placement test (ASSET). |
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| LAS109 |
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CIVIL PROCEDURES I
Pretrial procedural issues in both Arizona and the federal system. Emphasis on Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure 1-37, 41, 55, 56, and 72-76. Coverage of applicable time limits, filing requirements, and proficiency in locating appropriate provisions in the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure. Drafting of pleadings and motions and the application of procedural rules pertinent to the early stages of civil litigation. Admission to the program required. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS101 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director.) |
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| LAS110 |
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CIVIL PROCEDURES II
Application of the procedural aspects of discovery, trial preparation, and post-trial work as part of a litigation team. Emphasis on practical concerns, such as interviewing of witnesses; preparation of discovery documents, exhibits, and transmittal memoranda; summarizing and indexing depositions; organization of files; preparation of trial notebooks; and participation in a mock trial. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS115 |
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CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCEDURE
Procedural aspects of the criminal trial process in Arizona state courts from preliminary proceedings through trial. Emphasis on application of the rules of criminal procedure and preparation of common trial documents by paralegals. Documents include the charging instrument, pre-trial motions, and jury instructions. Prerequisites: LAS101 or permission of department chair, or program director. Prerequisites or Corequisites: BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director. |
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| LAS131 |
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LEGAL WRITING
The use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in the construction of sentences and the development of paragraphs. Use of case briefs to study effective writing and analytical techniques. Analysis and application of the writing process to produce well-written documents commonly used in the practice of law. Prerequisites or Corequisite: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS203 |
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ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Rules of professional responsibility and ethical requirements with an emphasis on their application to legal assistants. Sources of power to regulate the practice of law. Issues related to unauthorized practice of law. Examination of professionalism in the legal profession. Prerequisites: LAS131 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS204 |
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CONTRACT LAW
Examination of legal contracts and contracts regulated by the Uniform Commercial Code (Sales Contracts and Secured Transactions); examination of business organizations including Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies. Includes drafting of contracts and documents used in the formation and operation of business organizations. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS208 |
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PROBATE
Emphasis on various ways in which property can be held and passed on. Requirements for valid wills and trusts. Steps involved in estate administration and appropriate forms to be used. Includes drafting basic wills and simple trusts. Prerequisites: LAS109 (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS211 |
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LEGAL RESEARCH
Use of print and electronic media to locate public documents, statutes, administrative regulations, and cases from county, state, and federal jurisdictions. Reading and interpreting research results. Shepardizing. Use of proper citation forms. Prerequisites or Corequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS212 |
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TORT LAW
Basic elements of negligence, strict liability, intentional torts; defenses; damages; insurance coverage. Evaluation of records and personal injury claims; review of insurance policies; settlement brochure; preparation of case intake memorandum. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS213 |
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EMPLOYMENT LAW
Practical application of employment law principles. Examination of the employment relationship and ways in which it is created. Determination of applicable employee benefits. Development of appropriate employee job performance methods. Assessment of discrimination claims. Evaluation of privacy rights in the workplace. Prerequisites: (BPC110 and LAS109) or permission of Department Chair or Program Director. |
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| LAS214 |
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BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
Analysis and evaluation of business organizations with practical application of the law to analyze the utility, form, and function of Sole Proprietorships, General Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, and Corporations. Preparation of documents to create the most effective and feasible business organization under a given set of circumstances. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS216 |
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REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Investigation into various aspects of real estate sales, purchases, and encumbrances. Includes preparation of deed of trust and an agreement for sale of property. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS217 |
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FAMILY LAW
Legal analysis of marriage, dissolution of marriage, parental rights and duties; pleading and practice. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS218 |
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ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Introduction to fundamental administrative law concepts including the delegation of powers, due process, citizen access and participation, rulemaking, adjudication, and judicial review. Emphasis on Arizona administrative procedures and the role of the paralegal in informal and prehearing advocacy and proceedings before a hearing officer. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS220 |
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PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP SEMINAR
Coordinates on-the-job experiences with interpersonal relations, communications, time-management, and case-management skills. Provides opportunity to discuss problems encountered during internship. Prerequisites: LAS203 and LAS211 and (LAS204 or LAS212), and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). Corequisites: LAS221AA or LAS221AB or LAS221AC. |
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| LAS221AA |
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PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
Laboratory portion of LAS220, Paralegal Internship Seminar; 80 hours of work. Supervision and evaluation by on-the-job supervisor as well as college coordinator. May be repeated for a total of three (3) credit hours. Prerequisites: Permission of department chair or program director. Corequisites: LAS220. |
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| LAS221AB |
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PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
Laboratory portion of LAS220, Paralegal Internship Seminar; 160 hours of work. Supervision and evaluation by on-the-job supervisor as well as college coordinator. May be repeated for a total of four (4) credit hours. Prerequisites: Permission of department chair or program director. Corequisites: LAS220. |
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| LAS221AC |
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PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
Laboratory portion of LAS220, Paralegal Internship Seminar; 240 hours of work. Supervision and evaluation by on-the-job supervisor as well as college coordinator. Prerequisites: Permission of department chair or program director. May be repeated for a total of six (6) credit hours. Prerequisites: Permission of department chairperson or program director. Corequisites: LAS220. |
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| LAS225 |
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LEGAL RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, & WRITING
Integration and further development of legal research and writing skills with an emphasis on critical thinking, issue analysis, and motion practice. Focus on integrating research, writing, and legal argument development. Prerequisites: LAS131 and LAS211 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS229 |
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LITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES
Word processing skills for the law office; use of presentation software;. types and comparisons of litigation support systems; types and uses of electronic trial software; coding schemes; management of integrated litigation support system. Fee arrangements; the billing cycle; billing procedures; management of billing activities. Management of names, matters, and events; indexing structures; reports; ethical issues. Prerequisites: LAS110 and (BPC110 or equivalent or permission of department chair or program director. |
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| LAS237 |
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LEGAL INTERVIEWING, INVESTIGATION & REPORT WRITING
Foundations for interviewing and investigation. Questioning of clients and experts. Documenting and summarizing interviews. Factual investigation sources and techniques. Evidence analysis and preservation. Documenting results of factual investigations. Prerequisites: LAS131 and LAS211 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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| LAS261 |
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BANKRUPTCY
Examination of Bankruptcy laws and procedures and the role of paralegals in bankruptcy practice, including the commencement of a case, preparation of schedules, review adversary matters and litigation, debtors' and creditors' rights and obligations. Prerequisites: LAS109 and (BPC110 or permission of department chair or program director). |
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