Paralegal

This course introduces the paralegal profession and the legal system. Topics include an overview of major areas of legal practice, ethics, legal analysis and research, professional development including certification and employment, and related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of the paralegal and identify the skills, knowledge, and ethics required of legal assistants. *Note: Students must complete PRL 101 and PRL 102 with a grade of “C” or higher prior to taking any other PRL course.

This course introduces the techniques of legal research and writing. Emphasis is placed on locating, analyzing, applying, and validating sources of law. Topics include legal research, legal writing, proper citation, and electronic research. Upon completion, students will demonstrate the ability to perform legal research and writing assignments using techniques covered in this course. *Note: Students must complete PRL 101 and PRL 102 with a grade of “C” or higher prior to taking any other PRL course.

This course covers contracts, selected portions of the Uniform Commercial Code, and forms of business organization. Upon completion, students should be able to apply the elements of a contract, prepare various business documents and understand the role of commercial paper.  

This course introduces substantive and procedural criminal law including elements of state and federal crimes, defenses, constitutional issues, pre-trial process, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the elements of specific crimes and assist an attorney in preparing a criminal case.  

This course provides an opportunity to explore areas of current interest in specific program or discipline areas. Emphasis is placed on subject matter appropriate to the program or discipline. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the specific area of study. 

Offered Summer semester only. This course provides an opportunity to explore areas of current interest in specific program or discipline areas. Emphasis is placed on subject matter appropriate to the program or discipline. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the specific area of study.

This course emphasizes the study of real property law. Topics include the distinction between real and personal property, various estates and interests in property, and the mechanics of conveyance, encumbrances, and closing procedure. Upon completion, students will demonstrate the ability to identify estates, forms of deeds, recording requirements, the closing process, and procedures used to enforce rights to real property. 

This course covers laws governing domestic relations. Topics include marriage, separation, divorce, child custody, support, property division, adoption, and other related topics. Upon completion, students will demonstrate the ability to draft divorce and support pleadings, separation agreements, and calculate child support according to the guidelines adopted by the state. 

This course covers wills, trusts, and inheritance. Topics include types of wills, the law of intestacy (inheritance), probating estates, and alternatives to probate. The course also covers trusts, medical directives, and associated litigation. Upon completion, students will demonstrate the ability to draft simple wills, prepare estate forms, understand administration of estates, and understand terms regarding trusts. 

This course provides an overview of the laws of bankruptcy and the rights of creditors and debtors. Topics include bankruptcy procedures and estate management, attachment, claim and delivery, repossession, foreclosure, collection, garnishment, and post-judgment collection procedure. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and file bankruptcy forms, collection letters, statutory liens and collection of judgments. 

This course examines the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, and trial procedure. Upon completion, students will be able to explain the various stages of the litigation process and demonstrate the ability to prepare a trial notebook for litigation purposes. 

(Available Spring 2021) 

This course provides students with an overview of managing document production and organization during litigation with an emphasis on electronic discovery (e-discovery) procedures. Upon completion, students will demonstrate/detail how to handle client documents, obtain documents from opposing parties and non-parties, index and organize documents as received, and utilize computer-assisted litigation support programs.

This course focuses on the organization and policies and procedures of a law office. Upon completion, students should be able to establish and maintain various law office systems, monitor case progress and supervise non-lawyer personnel. The focus of this class is the legal software commonly used to help manage the work, timekeeping, calendaring, case management, and billing in law offices. 

This course provides students opportunities to work in paid or unpaid positions in which they apply paralegal skills and knowledge. This course requires a minimum of 150 hours of practical experience in the legal field. Upon completion, students will be able to apply workplace competences obtained from the PRL curriculum.