University of Cincinnati, Clermont

University of Cincinnati, Clermont
Autumn Quarter 2010

Introduction to Paralegal Profession

SYLLABUS

Course Title: Introduction to Paralegal Profession
Course #:34 PARA 180 901
Day / Time:Wednesday 6:40 – 9:20p.m.
Room:McDonough HallRm. 135
Instructor:Jeffery S. Rubel, B.S.,M.P.A., J.D.
Office Info/Student Contact:S272H // 732-5302
Email:
Text / Materials:Ethics: Top Ten Rules for Paralegals, Orlik (2nd Ed. 2011) ISBN#978-0-13-506393-4
If you are struggling with this class, or any other class, check out the Learning Center. The Learning Center (EDUCTN 100)
Autumn Hours:
Monday – Thursday 7:30am-6:30pm Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Students can call TLC information desk - Phone# 513/732/5228 or send an email
or visit TLC website for information/assistance. You can walk-in or make appointments for FREE tutoring. You can also sign up for SMARTHINKING Online tutoring (24/7 & free) for most subjects by registering at TLC.

The Learning Center:

Course Description, Goals and Objectives: The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the role of paralegals in the legal profession, including ethical considerations arising in the practice of law. The course will examine paralegal employment opportunities, regulation and licensing of paralegals, and law office management. We will also covers the various specializations within the practice of law, the structure of law firms, and the sources of employment in law firms and elsewhere. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the role of the paralegal and identify the skills, knowledge, and ethics required of legal assistants.
Instructional Methods: This course will involve, lecture, discussion, writing assignments, and class participation. Students are expected to read the course book assignments prior to class and to be prepared to apply them in each class session. This course will involve extensive use of the Internet and the World Wide Web.Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that you obtain an email account (Bearcat online) and learn to use a browser to navigate the World Wide Web. If you cannot use a browser on the World Wide Web, notify the instructor immediately so that I may provide additional training for you.

Course objectives:Upon successful completion of the courses, the student will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Know and explain the various definitions of a paralegal;
• Know and be able to apply the standards for determining ethical attorney and paralegal conduct;
• Describe the development of the paralegal profession;
• Describe the role of the paralegal in the legal system;
• Know and describe the sources of paralegal employment and how to seek employment in this field
• Understand the economic factors affecting paralegal employment and salaries;
• Know the major regulations affecting paralegals and how they affect paralegal functions;
• Describe paralegal licensing and certification programs;
• The student will become familiar with the tools available in the UC Library to conduct legal research, and will demonstrate competency in the use of the law library;

Blackboard: . Wewill use the Blackboard course management system extensively. You must establish a user account for Blackboard immediately. You will need to have Internet access for this course. Most of the reading assignments are posted on Blackboard so you should be prepared to visit the web site for this course on a regular basis. Each student in this course must have, and must check regularly, her or his own email account. When you enroll on the Blackboard site, please provide your correct e-mail address.

Grading: The major requirement of this course is to keep up with the readings and to attend regularly. Your grade for this course will be determined on the following criteria:

Exam #1 / 30%
Exam #2 / 30%
Out of Class Assignments / 30%
Class Preparation / 10%
Total / 100%

The UC Clermont grading scale will apply with final point totals converted to letter grades as follows:

93-100 A / 73-76 C
90-92 A- / 70-72 C-
87-89 B+ / 67-69 D+
83-86 B / 63-66 D
80-82 B- / 60-62 D-
77-79C+ / 00-59 F

Examination: Mixed format will appear on the examination. There will be true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. Make-up examinations are generally discouraged but will be considered only upon written request with documented “good cause” such as illness, family or medical emergency. If you are ill, you should call or e-mail me BEFORE the test unless you will have a doctor’s slip. Make-up exams are more heavily tilted towards short answer/short essay.

Outside Assignments:The course will include three written assignments. The written assignments must be done on a word processor or type-written.There should be nohand written submissions,if submit an assignment that is not typed, I will deduct at least 10% from your final grade. Your Assignments will be graded on content, and compliance with the instructions given with the assignment.Assignments must be handed in on time. If you cannot attend class on the date an assignment is due, it is your responsibility make arrangements to get the assignment to the Professor in a timely fashion. Assignments handed in late will receive a grade that is no higher than the lowest grade given to the timely submitted assignment. All out of class assignments are posted on

Class Preparation and Attendance: I will expect that you have read the assigned material prior to class. This preparation is measured by recitation. Students are randomly selected to discuss assignments. For this reason, it is best to be prepared for every class period by thoroughly studying the material in advance. If you are called upon and are not prepared, you may pass for that day. The pass will harm your class preparation grade. By passing you will also assure that you will be called on in the next class period. It is important to recognize the difference between voluntary class participation (which is welcome) and solicited recitation. Voluntary participation is not graded. Solicited recitation (class preparation) is graded.

Please use the “buddy system”--get notes from a class buddy if you miss any sessions. If you know that you will be absent on a particular date when an assignment is due or an exam is scheduled, please let me know as soon as possible. Makeup examinations are allowed only in the event of an emergency.

Withdrawal Dates:Students who want to withdraw from this course will be able to do so on-line. W/F grade will be assigned to drops beginning October 7th. The Web Registration site will remain active through the 58th day of the quarter – for withdrawals only.Last day to withdraw (drop) in a timely manner is Thursday, November 18th (58th calendar day). This is the grade replacement deadline as well.The last day to withdraw with no entry to the academic record is October 7. Students withdrawing from this course between October 8 and November 18must provide me with prior written communication about their intent to withdraw from the course on-line. At my discretion, you will receive the grade of “X”, “WX” or “F”. Students withdrawing 11/19/10 and after will receive the grade of “F”.

Honor Code:In all work submitted for academic credit, you are expected to represent yourself honestly. Work must be your individual effort unless a specific assignment is designated as a group project. UNLESS I INDICATE OTHERWISE, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO "GROUPWORK" WITH ANOTHER STUDENT OR STUDENTS. This does not mean you cannot discuss work with other students; but, it does mean that you are prohibited from sitting together and writing out answers and assignments.

Plagiarism:The use of the ideas, data or specific passages of others that are unacknowledged or falsely acknowledged, with the purpose of influencing a grade. Any paraphrasing or quotation must be appropriately acknowledged. THE RULE IS SIMPLE: IF YOU TAKE WRITTEN MATERIAL FROM ANY SOURCE OR OBTAIN IDEAS FROM ANY SOURCE, THEN FOOTNOTE YOUR SOURCE AND INDICATE--WITH QUOTATION MARKS--THE WRITTEN MATERIAL TAKEN WORD-FOR-WORD BY THE SOURCE.

ADA: Students with Disabilities: The policy of the University of Cincinnati Clermont College requires students to self-identify and provide proper documentation to the Director of Disability Services, Jennifer Radt, Student Services Building, 732-5327

Schedule of class meetings tests and assignment due dates.

DateTopic Covered & Reading Assignment Time/hrs

22-Sep / Introduction to classand Review Syllabus
Handout: Missouri vs. Jenkins (read and be prepared to discuss during next class)
Visit the following websites and submit a 1 page outline of which organization you would like to join. Explain why you selected the organization over the alternatives and include reference to information you found on the website.
- National Association of Legal Assistance
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Association for Paralegal Education
- American Alliance of Paralegals
– Cincinnati Paralegal Association
ABA Standing Committee Paralegals / 1.25 hrs
Week 1
Sept 29 / Posted on BB: The Professional Paralegal
Discuss Missouri vs. Jenkins and how it has impacted the Paralegal Profession.
Discuss the Key Paralegal Organizations.
Final Class Project assigned (Due 12/01/10) / 2.75 hrs
Week 2
Oct 6 / Posted on Blackboard: Paralegal Profession in Ohio
Paralegal Workplace Skills
Discuss Class Project - Cover Letters and Resumes
Marketing yourself and building your resume / 2.75 hrs
Week 3
Oct13 / Posted on Blackboard:Paralegal Regulation & Professional Responsibility
Should Paralegals be Licensed or regulated, what does the future hold?
NALA's Position on Regulation
NFPA's Position on Regulation
Do Paralegals Need to be Certified?
Ohio State Bar adopts new certification program.
Review for Exam #1 / 2.75 hrs
Week 4
Oct 20 / Exam #1
Paralegal Ethics and Professional Responsibility – No reading Assignment / 2.75 hrs
Week 5
Oct 27 / Library Exercise – On Wednesday, October 27, we will meet forlibrary training on available research tools. Please review the library web site before class
Assignment # 1 given, due November 3, 2010 / 2.75 hrs
Week 6
Nov3 / Model Rules of Professional Conduct -
Ohio’s New Rules of Professional Conduct – How does this effect me?
Orlik, Chapter 1- Integrity – What does it mean?
Orlik, Chapter 2 – Confidentiality – When can I talk and when must I muzzle? / 2.75 hrs
Week 7
Nov 10 / Orlik, Chapter 3 – Competency – What does it mean?
Orlik, Chapter 4 – Fair Fees – Fee structures and how they work.
Orlik, Chapter 5 – Access to Justice – Pro Bono? What does that mean?
Orlik, Chapter 6 – Zealous Representation – Can I lie, if it helps the client? / 2.75 hrs
Week 8
Nov 17 / Orlik, Chapter 7 – UPL; what does it mean?
Orlik, Chapter 8 – Conflict of Interest – can I represent both sides?
We will break into groups and address a number of ethical situations.
“Drama in the Law Office”
Assignment #2 – Due by November 24 at 6:30 p.m. / 2.75 hrs
Week 9
Nov 24 / Final Project (Individual meetings w/each student to review project) -- NO CLASS MEETING / 1.50 hrs
Week 10
Dec 1 / Finalize Ethics material from the Orlik book. – Assignment #2 due
Review & Summary of Chapter 1 – 8 (Orlik)
Turn in Final Class Project / 2.75 hrs
Final / Wednesday, December 8 / 2.0 hrs