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Members of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) are eligible for a 10 percent discount on tuition for classes. To obtain a discount, students must submit proof of current LAPA membership on
the day they register.
Please note that all paralegal students are charged a $35 per quarter materials fee for Westlaw access accounts. The course number to use on your registration form is: 31586. (This fee is per quarter, not per course).
Certificate Tracks
Litigation
More paralegals work in litigation than in any other area of the law. Trial work involves intensive preparation, and paralegals help attorneys gather factual materials for discovery, pleadings, and other investigatory work. Courses required for this track are:
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
The Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 752 |
Legal Research |
4 Units |
| PLS 756 |
Family Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 760 |
Civil Procedure I |
4 Units |
| PLS 761 |
Civil Procedure II |
4 Units |
| PLS 762 |
Civil Procedure III |
4 Units |
| PLS 763 |
Probate Procedure I |
4 Units |
|
One Elective: |
| PLS 753 |
Legal Writing OR |
4 Units |
| PLS 755 |
Law Office Administration OR |
4 Units |
| PLS 757 |
Real Estate for the Paralegal OR |
4 Units |
| PLS 766 |
Corporate Law for the Paralegal I |
4 Units |
Corporate
There are two types of corporate paralegals. The first is employed in-house and handles a corporation's legal housekeeping. The second works for a law firm and is involved in the organization and liquidation of corporations, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and the maintenance of corporate files. Courses required for this track are:
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
The Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 752 |
Legal Research |
4 Units |
| PLS 758 |
Income Tax Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 760 |
Civil Procedure I |
4 Units |
| PLS 766 |
Corporate Law for the Paralegal I |
4 Units |
| PLS 767 |
Corporate Law for the Paralegal II |
4 Units |
| PLS 768 |
Corporate Law for the Paralegal III |
4 Units |
|
One Elective: |
| PLS 753 |
Legal Writing OR |
4 Units |
| PLS 755 |
Law Office Administration OR |
4 Units |
| PLS 757 |
Real Estate for the Paralegal |
4 Units |
General
This specialty track gives paralegals the general background they need to function effectively, while allowing for elective courses that serve individual career objectives. Courses required for this track are:
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
The Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 751 |
Introduction to the Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 752 |
Legal Research |
4 Units |
| PLS 755 |
Law Office Administration |
4 Units |
| PLS 760 |
Civil Procedure I |
4 Units |
Plus three elective courses (one of which may be PLS 782).
Course Descriptions
PLS 750 - The Role of the Paralegal (4 Units)
The role and functions of the paralegal in the modern law office. Introduction to legal theory, legal research, legal procedures, and ethics.
PLS 751 - Introduction to the Law (4 Units)
Introduction to substantive law: crimes, torts, contracts, sales, commercial paper, partnerships, corporations.
PLS 752 - Legal Research (4 Units)
Introduction to the sources, tools, and techniques of legal research.
Enrollment limited to 25 students.
PLS 753 - Legal Writing (4 Units)
The drafting and writing of legal documents., including briefs, memorandums of law, and points and authorities. Review and application of Standard English grammatical principles. Enrollment limited to 25 students. Prerequisite: PLS 752 or consent of instructor.
PLS 754 - Special Topics for the Paralegal (1-4 units)
Special subjects not regularly covered within the program. With prior approval of advisor may be substituted for one course (of equivalent unit value) per specialty track. May be repeated for credit as subject matter changes. Subjects include Environmental Law, Elder Law, Paralegal Litigation Skills, and Entertainment Law.
PLS 755 - Law Office Administration (4 Units)
An overview of management in a law office, including information retrieval, filing, calendaring, billing and technical innovation.
PLS 756 - Family Law (4 Units)
Marriage and dissolution procedures in family law. Basic information on related legal theory and mandatory forms.
PLS 757 - Real Estate for the Paralegal (4 Units)
The role and functions of the paralegal in real property transactions. Concepts and procedures in real estate law, including interests and conveyances in real property, escrow and title insurance, and
tax considerations.
PLS 758 - Income Tax Law (4 Units)
Introduction to federal and California income tax law for paralegals. Tax problems and their resolution through the application of general taxation concepts. Methods of research.
PLS 760 - Civil Procedure I (4 Units)
Introduction to pleadings and general preliminary procedures in civil actions.
PLS 761 - Civil Procedure II (4 Units)
Discovery procedures, including review of California Code of Civil Procedure and practical application of discovery tools. Prerequisite: PLS 760 or consent of instructor.
PLS 762 - Civil Procedure III (4 Units)
The psychology of a law suit, with emphasis on innovative, use of pre-trial motions. Pretrial procedures, conferences, trial, appeal and satisfaction of judgment. Prerequisite: PLS 761 or consent of instructor.
PLS 763 - Probate Procedure I (4 Units)
Survey of basic probate practice and procedures.
PLS 766 - Corporate Law for the Paralegal I (4 Units)
Legal concepts and procedures essential to the formation, transformation, dissolution, and financing of various forms of business enterprise.
PLS 767 - Corporate Law for the Paralegal II (4 Units)
Corporate liquidations, mergers, and reorganizations. Prerequisite: PLS 766 or consent of instructor.
PLS 768 - Corporate Law for the Paralegal III (4 Units)
Theoretical and procedural aspects of state and federal securities regulation. Prerequisite: PLS 767 or consent of instructor.
PLS 770 - Criminal Law for the Paralegal (4 Units)
A course in the substantive and procedural criminal law of California. Emphasis on the role and functions of the paralegal in the criminal law office.
PLS 780 - Computers for the Paralegal (4 Units)
An overview of computer hardware and software commonly used in law offices, with emphasis on the most effective use of computers in paralegal work. Word processing skills required. Enrollment limited
to 20 students.
PLS 781 - Immigration Law for the Paralegal (4 Units)
A course in substantive immigration law. Including practical advice on how to deal with the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
PLS 782 - Practicum, Private or Public Sector (4 Units)
A minimum of 12 hours per week of. volunteer, study-related, work experience in a private law firm or public law agency, under the joint supervision and guidance of the CPS and sponsoring attorney.
Prerequisites: PLS 750 or PLS 751, plus PLS 752, PLS 753, and PLS 760. Word-processing skills recommended.
The Practicum course, which allows students to participate in an internship, is available each quarter, but students must contact Kathleen Leroy at (323) 343-4968 by mid-quarter of the quarter prior to when you plan to take the practicum. This enables us to place the student with a law firm or public agency.
Yearly Schedule of Classes
(subject to change)
Current Course Schedule
(Please e-mail Kathleen Leroy at kleroy2@calstatela.edu if the schedule has weekday overlaps on courses that you plan to take, and we will try to adjust the weekdays' scheduled to avoid overlap as much as possible.)
|
Winter Quarter |
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
The Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 752 |
Legal Research |
4 Units |
| PLS 754 |
Special Topic: (varies) |
4 Units |
| PLS 754 |
Special Topic: (varies) |
4 Units |
| PLS 761 |
Civil Procedure II |
4 Units |
| PLS 762 |
Civil Procedure III |
4 Units |
| PLS 766 |
Corporate Law I |
4 Units |
| PLS 782 |
Practicum: Private or Public Sector |
4 Units |
|
Spring Quarter |
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 751 |
Introduction to the Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 753 |
Legal Writing |
4 Units |
| PLS 754 |
Special Topic: (varies) |
4 Units |
| PLS 755 |
Law Office Administration |
4 Units |
| PLS 760 |
Civil Procedure I |
4 Units |
| PLS 762 |
Civil Procedure III |
4 Units |
| PLS 767 |
Corporate Law II |
4 Units |
| PLS 782 |
Practicum: Private or Public Sector |
4 Units |
|
Summer Quarter |
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 752 |
Legal Research |
4 Units |
| PLS 756 |
Family Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 757 |
Real Estate for the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 761 |
Civil Procedure II |
4 Units |
| PLS 768 |
Corporate Law III |
4 Units |
| PLS 782 |
Practicum: Private or Public Sector |
4 Units |
|
Fall Quarter |
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Units |
| PLS 750 |
The Role of the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 754 |
Contract Law for the Paralegal |
4 Units |
| PLS 758 |
Income Tax Law |
4 Units |
| PLS 760 |
Civil Procedure I |
4 Units |
| PLS 762 |
Civil Procedure III |
4 Units |
| PLS 763 |
Probate Procedure I |
4 Units |
| PLS 782 |
Practicum: Private or Public Sector |
4 Units |
Advisement and Information
Student advisement is provided year around.
Contact Robin Hall
Coordinator of Certificates
Division of Extended Education
(323) 343-4967
E-mail: rhall@cslanet.calstatela.edu
Or Contact Kathleen Leroy
kleroy2@calstatela.edu
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