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LOS ANGELES CITY COLLEGE | 07-08 CATALOG [REV. 07/07]
Chair: Tim Sweetman Paralegal Coordinator: Dr. Richard Lewis (323) 953-4000 ext. 2757 • HH12 www.lacitycollege.edu/academic/departments/law/index.html
CATALOG INDEX
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PAGE | CATALOG / CLASS SCHEDULE |
| PROGRAMS OFFERED |
Associate in
Arts:
Business Law
Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Our Paralegal program is offered by the Law Department to students who are interested in a career as an employee in a law office or courthouse to assist in the performance of legal services in civil and criminal matters. It is also valuable to persons seeking employment in fields such as real estate, insurance, banking, or brokerage. According to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the field of Paralegals and legal assistants are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Despite projections of fast employment growth, competition for these jobs is rigorous and only the highly skilled, formally trained paralegals have excellent employment potential. Our program is designed to provide students with this training as well as internships. Lastly, our requirements can be obtained for day, night and/or weekend students.
Our Business Law degree is ideal for students looking to go on to law school as it concentrates on the material covered in law school.
| DEGREE PROGRAMS |
BUSINESS LAW
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
The Business Law curriculum is designed for students interested in a career in law; students going to apply for admission to a law school that does not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance; students going into public service, business, or other types of work where a general knowledge of the law is valuable. Those students interested in law and intend to transfer to a four year college should plan a program to meet the graduation requirements of the specific institution they plan to attend. Students are advised to meet with faculty from the law department, if they are planning on attending law school.
To complete Plan “B” Graduation Requirements for the Associate degree, 37 units of the courses listed below must be completed. In addition, the student must complete at minimum 18 units in General Education. Students may not use the same course for credit toward the Major and the General Education requirements for the Associate degree. Sixty (60) total units are required for graduation in Plan “B”. Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog “Graduation Requirements” section.
Courses UNITS
First Semester
Business Law 1.................................................................................. 3
English 101........................................................................................ 3
Library Science 101............................................................................ 1
CAOT 84........................................................................................... 3
Second Semester
Business Law 2.................................................................................. 3
Law 3 (A).......................................................................................... 3
Law 14 (A)......................................................................................... 3
Third Semester
Law 15 (A)......................................................................................... 3
Law 38 ............................................................................................. 3
English 103........................................................................................ 3
Fourth Semester
Law 13 (A)......................................................................................... 3
Law 16 (A)......................................................................................... 3
Law 19 (A)......................................................................................... 3
Total Units...................................................................................... 37
A= Advisory — recommended that you take English 101 and Law 10
To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math Competency
Paralegal STUDIES
Associate of Arts Degree
Career Program
The Paralegal Studies program is offered by the Law Department to students who are interested in a career as an employee in a law office or courthouse to assist in the performance of legal services in civil and criminal matters. It is also valuable to persons seeking employment in fields such as real estate, insurance, banking, or brokerage. The great need for legal services in our society, plus the shortage of lawyers to fill this need, has created a demand in the legal profession for qualified assistants, such as we find in the medical and dental fields.
A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience, that is employed, or retained and under the supervision of a lawyer, by a law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. According to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the field of Paralegals and legal assistants are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Some employment growth stems from law firms and other employers with legal staffs increasingly hiring paralegals to lower the cost and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services. The majority of job openings for paralegals in the future will be new jobs created by employment growth, but additional job openings will arise as people leave the occupation. Despite projections of fast employment growth, competition for jobs should continue as many people seek to go into this profession; however, highly skilled, formally trained paralegals have excellent employment potential. While the program cannot guarantee employment, every effort is made to assist students in finding law related positions.
All students in the Law/Paralegal program are welcome to join the on-campus Law Club. Los Angeles City College is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE). All paralegal students are encouraged to be active in the local chapter of the AAfPE.
The A.A. Degree consists of 18 units in General Education and 42 units in the Paralegal Studies program major, for a total of 60 - 64 units. Students considering transferring law / paralegal credits from another college should meet with the chair of the law department.
All prerequisite courses must be taken in sequential order. In addition to Major requirements, the student must satisfy ALL the requirements of Plan “B” for completion of an Associate of Arts Degree. All courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Plan “B’ is not a program designed for transfer to a four-year college. For assistance in completing the Plan “B” requirements, please discuss this with a Counselor in the Counseling Office, see the college catalog; go online at www.lacitycollege.edu/ and click on the Class Schedule and Catalog link. This will give you more information regarding class requirements, class descriptions, and necessary units.
The Paralegal Program at Los Angeles City College will accept general education courses and non-paralegal specific courses as transferable credits that have earned a grade of “C” or better. The student must complete all Paralegal specific core classes (6 courses minimum) at Los Angeles City College. The transferred credits must have been earned at a fully accredited institution. All acceptable transferred credits will count toward the students GPA (grade point average) for graduation. The student must meet all applicable graduation requirements in place at the time of enrollment into the Paralegal Program.
In order to earn a Certificate in Paralegal Studies, the student must take the necessary Paralegal courses (39 units) as outlined below (with a grade of “C” or better) and already have earned one of the following: Bachelor or higher degree from an accredited educational institution or have previously earned an A.A. degree and completed the General Education requirements outlined for our Paralegal Studies program (see Plan “B” requirements below).
COURSES UNITS
First Semester
CAOT 84........................................................................................... 3
English 101........................................................................................ 3
Law/Paralegal 10................................................................................ 3
Library Science 101............................................................................ 1
Second Semester
Law 1................................................................................................ 3
Law/Paralegal 51................................................................................ 3
Law/Paralegal 11................................................................................ 3
Law/Paralegal 12................................................................................ 3
Third Semester
Law 2................................................................................................ 3
Law/Paralegal 17................................................................................ 3
CAOT 93........................................................................................... 2
Electives (see list below)..................................................................... 3
Fourth Semester
Law/Paralegal 4.................................................................................. 3
Electives (see list below...................................................................... 6
Total Units...................................................................................... 42
Paralegal Elective Courses: You must complete 3 of these Electives, at least 1 of which must be a Paralegal Legal Specialty Course. Some of these courses do not have prerequisites. There is an ADVISORY.
With the exception of Law 1, Law 2, and Law 3 – students must first successfully complete Law/Paralegal 10 prior to taking any Paralegal Legal Specialty Courses.
- Paralegal Legal Specialty Courses: Law 18, 35, 37
- Paralegal General Electives (all these courses have an Advisory:
English 101 and Law 10): Law 3, 5, 13, 16, 19, 33, 38
To complete general education requirements in this area of study, Plan B for the AA/AS Degree is required.
PLAN B: Please consult with a counselor about specific courses needed or see the college catalog "Graduation Requirements" section. Plan B is not designed for transfer to a four-year college.
3 Units English Composition
3 Units Communication/Analytical Thinking
3 Units Natural Sciences
3 Units Humanities
3 Units Social/Behavioral Sciences (including American History & Governments)
3-4 Units Health/Physical Education
3-5 Units Math
Competency
| COURSE DESCRIPTIONS |
NOTE: Not every class is offered each semester. Refer to the current class schedule for current class offerings.
PREREQUISITES: Specified prerequisites must be completed with a satisfactory grade or equivalent.
Also see Administration of Justice & Corrections, CAOT, Business, English.
LAW 1
Business Law I
3 UNITS - (UC:CSU)
This course will cover the following legal topics: legal aspects of business; court procedures in business; torts and criminal laws as related to various business practices; elements of a valid contract; breach of contracts and its remedies; negotiable instruments under Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and agency and employment contracts.
LAW 2
Business Law II
3 UNITS - (UC:CSU)
This course covers formation, operation, and dissolution of various types of business organizations. Subjects covered include: sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, corporations, partnerships, the law of agency and employment agreements.
LAW 3
Civil Rights and the Law
3 UNITS - (UC:CSU)
Comparative and analytical study of the law and related problems concerning Civil Rights. Due process of law, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, racial equality, and democratic processes are studied with emphasis on recent court decision and international trends.
LAW 4 / PARALEGAL 4 [pending approval]
Directed Field Work in Legal Assisting
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 with a satisfactory grade or equivalent.
Under instructor's direction and guidelines, paralegal students will be assigned to law related institutions, such as Courts, District and City Attorney's offices, private law firms, or law libraries to demonstrate their vocational abilities and employability.
LAW 5 / PARALEGAL 5 [pending approval]
International Law of Commerce
3 UNITS - (A)
This course covers the law on international trade. It allows the student to understand government foreign trade policies, the law concerning international business transactions, importing and exporting, and legal assurances for the delivery of and payment for goods.
LAW 10 / PARALEGAL 10 [pending approval]
Introduction to Legal Assistant I
3 UNITS - (CSU)
Advisory: English 101 or equivalent.
Orientation in a career in the Legal Assistant / Paralegal field. An introductory course into the role of the legal assistant. Includes an introduction to legal terminology and bibliography, including research problems and study of pleadings and documentation.
LAW/PARALEGAL 11
Introduction to Legal Assistant II
3 UNITS - (CSU)
Prerequisite: Completion of Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
A continuation of Law 10 with a study of the methods used in trial preparation; a detailed examination of civil cases; an introduction to legal drafting and writing.
LAW 12 / PARALEGAL 12
Tort Law and Claims Investigation
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101, with a satisfactory grade or equivalent.
This course will provide an introduction to the broad area of civil wrongs and their appropriate remedies as well as Tort Law principles in the traditional areas of intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, nuisance and the commonly employed defenses.
LAW 13 / PARALEGAL 13 [pending approval]
Wills, Trusts, and Probate Administration
3 UNITS - (A)
A study of the fundamental principles of the law of wills and trusts, including simple will and trust forms; an examination of the organization and jurisdiction of a California Probate Court, and the administration of estates in California Probate Courts.
LAW 14
Law Office Management
3 UNITS - (A)
Overview of various public and private law practices: Criminal, Civil, Estate Planning/Probate, Family, Property; Bankruptcy, Business; preparing legal correspondence; format for legal documents; using the internet; legal office software & legal computer research; basic accounting/trust management; Ethics & Professional Responsibility.
LAW 16
Civil and Criminal Evidence
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
A study of the rules of evidence and the admissibility of such evidence in court.
LAW 17 / PARALEGAL 17 [pending approval]
Legal Writing
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
Advanced legal drafting and writing, including special research projects.
LAW 18 / PARALEGAL 18 [pending approval]
Marriage and Family Law
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
This course presents fundamental common law and statutory concepts of family law with emphasis on California's Community Property Laws.
LAW 19
Real Property
3 UNITS - (A)
Advisory: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
This course is an introduction to Real Property Law Practice. Topics include property rights, types of land ownership, agreement for sale, financing, conveyance, settlement procedures, recording and post-closing matters in residential and commercial real estate, and real estate leasing agreements. Additionally, ethical issues will be discussed.
LAW 33
Law and the Media
3 UNITS - (A)
Advisory: English 28 or equivalent.
A study of entertainment law and related issues such as contract, libel, slander, obscenity, unions, and requirements in the radio, TV, and film industry.
LAW 35 / PARALEGAL 35 [pending approval]
Immigration Law for Paralegals
3 UNITS - (A)
Advisory: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
This course is a study of concepts of immigration law including grounds of exclusion, defenses to deportation, petitions and visa applications. Research and writing will be emphasized in the areas of amnesty, naturalization, citizenship, international law and criminal aspects of immigration.
LAW 37 / PARALEGAL 37 [pending approval]
Bankruptcy Law
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
The main focus of this course will be on bankruptcy law and procedure. It will cover commencement of a case, preparing of schedules, operating and liquidating procedures, adversary matters and litigation in bankruptcy court, debtors' and creditors' rights and obligations, technical terminology, and practical hints for paralegals. Forms utilized in bankruptcy court will be stressed as well as proceedings under Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and to a lesser extent, Chapter 11. Also proceedings under Chapters 9 and 12 will be reviewed. Additionally, the rights of creditors will be explored. This includes secured transactions, consensual and non-consensual liens, UCC transactions, and the unique position of real estate.
LAW 38 / PARALEGAL 38 [pending approval]
Criminal Law
3 UNITS - (A)
This course will provide students with an overview of the substantive and procedural rights of the accused. The student will study the nature, purpose, and principles of criminal law by following the process of the criminal justice system from arrest through appeal. Further, by developing knowledge of the elements of specific crimes, students will be able to assist an attorney in preparing various legal documents in a criminal case. Special topics of interest such as plea-bargaining, youthful offender adjudication, extradition and wiretapping will be studied in detail.
LAW / PARALEGAL 43 [pending approval]
Elder Law
3 UNITS - (A)
Students will be introduced to topics in the law affecting older persons. Such topics as financial and estate planning, health care, personal planning and protection, and consumer protection will be covered in this course.
LAW/PARALEGAL 51
Legal Research for Paralegals
3 UNITS - (A)
Prerequisite: Law/Paralegal 10 and English 101 with satisfactory grades or equivalent.
Students will learn to use traditional and electronically-accessed legal research. Students will perform traditional law library legal research and computer-assisted research. Students are taught to locate and use both primary, secondary and CALR legal research sources to solve legal problems, including federal and state cases, digests, statutes, regulations, treatises, encyclopedias, law reviews, citators and practice works.
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