MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

PAR112  2009 Fall – 2012 Spring

Paralegal Fundamentals of Litigation

1.          Compare and contrast types of litigation. (I)

2.          Review responsibilities of various members of the litigation team. (I)

3.          Describe the role of and skills necessary for the paralegal in civil litigation. (I)

4.          Explain the use of technology in the law office as it applies to civil litigation. (II)

5.          Identify and describe sources of American law. (III)

6.          Describe elements necessary to establish jurisdiction and venue for a particular court. (III)

7.          Describe the courts in the federal and state judicial systems. (III)

8.          Explain procedures for interacting with clients and witnesses. (IV)

9.          Explain the steps in conducting an investigation of a claim. (IV)

10.        Describe procedures for case management. (V)

11.        Explain rules of evidence. (VI)

12.        Compare and contrast different types of evidence. (VI)

13.        Review procedures for settling a lawsuit. (VII)

14.        Describe procedures for alternative dispute resolution. (VII)

15.        Prepare pleadings in civil and criminal litigation. (VIII)

16.        Draft a complaint and summons. (VIII)

17.        Determine rules for filing pleadings. (VIII)

18.        Complete determinations for amended and supplementary pleadings. (VIII)

19.        Prepare litigation documents. (I-VIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

PAR112  2009 Fall – 2012 Spring

Paralegal Fundamentals of Litigation

I.          Litigation

            A.        Types

                        1.         Civil

                        2.         Criminal

                        3.         Family

                        4.         Probate

                        5.         Administrative

                        6.         Multi-party

                        7.         Class Actions

            B.        Team Members

                        1.         Lawyers

                        2.         Paralegals

                        3.         Legal Secretaries

                        4.         Clerks

                        5.         Experts

            C.        Ethics

            D.        Paralegal Skills

                        1.         Resourcefulness

                        2.         Commitment

                        3.         Analytical Skills

                        4.         Interpersonal Skills

                        5.         Creating an Impression

                        6.         Communication Skills

                        7.         Professionalism

            E.         Paralegal Tasks

                        1.         Interviewing

                        2.         Prepare Interview Summaries

                        3.         Investigating

                        4.         Case File Management

                        5.         Drafting

                        6.         Trial Assisting

                        7.         Administrative Tasks

II.        Technology in Litigation

            A.        Use

            B.        Impact

            C.        Ethical Issues

                        1.         Confidentiality

                        2.         Privilege

                        3.         Work Product

                        4.         Conflict of Interest

            D.        Security

III.       The Court System

            A.        American Law

                        1.         Common Law

                        2.         Constitutions

                        3.         Statutes

                        4.         Case Law

                        5.         Administrative Rules and Regulations

            B.        Cause of Action

                        1.         Torts

                        2.         Contracts

            C.        Remedies

                        1.         Legal

                        2.         Equitable

            D.        Jurisdiction

            E.         Venue

            F.         Organization

                        1.         Trial Courts

                        2.         Appellate Courts

                        3.         Supreme Court

IV.       Investigation

            A.        Client Interviews

                        1.         Initial Contact

                        2.         Considerations

                        3.         Ethical Perspectives

                        4.         Skills

                        5.         Use

            B.        Types of Witness

                        1.         Expert

                        2.         Hostile

                        3.         Friendly

            C.        Claims

                        1.         Defense Perspective

                        2.         Official Reports

                        3.         Fact Analysis

                        4.         Locations

                        5.         Tangible Evidence

                        6.         Timelines

                        7.         Public Records

V.        Case Management

            A.        Software

                        1.         Types

                        2.         Use

            B.        Procedures

                        1.         Tabs

                        2.         Forms

                        3.         Documentation

            C.        Information Retrieval

                        1.         Short Range

                        2.         Long Range

                        3.         Docket Control

                        4.         Evidence Control

                        5.         Bates Numbering

VI.       Evidence

            A.        Definition

            B.        Fact Versus Law

            C.        Rules of Evidence

            D.        Types

                        1.         Relevant

                        2.         Reliable

                        3.         Real    

                        4.         Probative

                        5.         Inadmissable

            E.         The Hearsay Rule

            F.         Exceptions

VII.     Settlements and Dismissals

            A.        Types

                        1.         Voluntary

                        2.         Involuntary

            B.        Procedures

                        1.         Negotiation

                        2.         Settling Lawsuit

                        3.         Terminating Lawsuit

            C.        Documents

                        1.         Letters

                        2.         Brochures

            D.        Alternative Dispute Resolution

                        1.         Types

                        2.         Procedures

                        3.         Binding Vs Non-Binding

VIII.    Pleadings

            A.        Rules of Court

            B.        Statute of Limitations

            C.        Types

                        1.         Summons

                        2.         Complaint

            D.        Procedures

                        1.         Filing

                        2.         Service of Process

                        3.         Time Limits

            E.         Due Process

            F.         Amendments/Supplementary Pleadings

            G.        Responses

                        1.         Types

                        2.         Restrictions

                        3.         Time Limits