You will study legal terminology, legal process, jurisdiction, and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices, and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.

Session I

Introduction to the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of the practice of law. Discussion will include the process of law as well as the specific legal terminology and ethics.

Session II

Law office management.

Session III

Office procedure manuals, billing techniques, and overall management techniques of the law office. Basics of legal research and proper citation format.

This course can be taken online, VHS, or audio formats or as a live lecture.

Required texts for the live, VHS, or audio formats:

The Legal Secretary Handbook, by Scott and Lisa Hatch
Uniform System of Citation, by Harvard Law Review

Required texts for the online format:

Uniform System of Citation, most recent edition by Harvard Law Review
State Rules of Court

Fall 2009
Saturdays and Sundays
November 14 - December 6
(No class on 11/28 and 11/29)
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $525 (Textbooks not included)
Course also available online beginning every 8 weeks