Paralegal/Legal Studies

CREDIT, DEGREE APPLICABLE COURSES:

• PLS 1. Introduction to Paralegal Studies
• PLS 2. Legal Research and Writing I
• PLS 3. Legal Research and Writing II
• PLS 4. Litigation I
• PLS 5. Litigation II
• PLS 6. Law Office Management and Procedures
• PLS 7. Business and Corporate Law
• PLS 8. Tort Law and Claims Investigation
• PLS 9. Wills, Trusts, and Probate Administration
• PLS 10. Environmental Law
• PLS 11. Debtors' Rights and Creditors' Remedies
• PLS 12. Family Law
• PLS 13. Intellectual Property
• PLS 14. Immigration Law
• PLS 15. Medical Law
• PLS 16. Work Experience
• PLS 17. Communications Law
• PLS 18. Work Experience
• PLS 19. Work Experience
• PLS 20. Introduction to Careers in Law

CREDIT, DEGREE APPLICABLE COURSES:

PLS 2. Legal Research and Writing I (3)
Lec-2
PREREQ: ENGL 96 or BSEN 70 or placement in ENGL 1A
Basic techniques of writing including review of grammar, spelling and word usage, sentence structure, basic writing, punctuation, capitalization and oral and electronic communication skills as they relate to the legal field. CSU
Formerly L A 52.

PLS 3. Legal Research and Writing II (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: PLS 1 and 2
The proper techniques of primary and secondary research; extensive practice in the techniques of writing legal memoranda. CSU
Formerly L A 75.

PLS 4. Litigation I (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: Completion/concurrent enrollment in PLS 3
Introduction to civil litigation process from client interview through appeal, including drafting of various litigation documents. CSU
Formerly L A 71.

PLS 5. Litigation II (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: PLS 3 and 4
In-depth coverage of investigation, discovery, and trial preparation in civil litigation. Manage and analyze data. CSU
Formerly L A 72.

PLS 6. Law Office Management and Procedures (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: MABS 60  skills; CLW 18, PLS 3, and PLS 4
Students gain knowledge of the legal industry, knowledge of a how a law office functions, and practical skills. They study law office management systems, personnel management, accounting, and operations. Students receive hands-on training in the use of law office equipment and in the preparation of legal documents and correspondence. CSU
Formerly L A 80.

PLS 7. Business and Corporate Law (3)
Lec-3
Advise: PLS 3
Legal aspects of various business enterprises, including corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and joint ventures. Common procedural and organizational aspects, legal problems and the role of the attorney and paralegal in approaching these problems. CSU
Formerly L A 54.

PLS 8. Tort Law and Claims Investigation (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: PLS 3
The law of torts and its application, including a survey of the substantive law of torts; procedures for case analysis, interviewing clients and witnesses, discovery techniques; liability insurance; the paralegal’s role prior to and at the time of trial. CSU
Formerly L A 55.

PLS 9. Wills, Trusts, and Probate Administration (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: PLS 3
Fundamental principles of the law of wills and trusts, including simple will and trust forms; organization and jurisdiction of a California probate court; administration of estates in California probate courts, including gift, inheritance, and estate taxes; practice in documentation. CSU
Formerly L A 60.

PLS 10. Environmental Law (3)
Lec-3
Advise: PLS 3
Fundamentals of environmental law, including names and structure and purpose of federal and state environmental laws; regulations and agencies implementing federal and state environmental laws; regional and local environmental laws, regulations, and agencies; administrative and legislative procedure; clients’ environmental issues; and documentation of environmental issues. CSU
Formerly L A 61.

PLS 11. Debtors' Rights and Creditors' Remedies
Lec-3
Advise: PLS 3
An examination of the rights of debtors and the remedies of creditors before, during, and after a lawsuit. A review of forms and documents used. CSU
Formerly L A 64.

PLS 12. Family Law (3)
Lec-3
PREREQ.: PLS 3
The legal aspects of marriage and the dissolution and annulment thereof; community property; guardianship; adoption; rights and responsibilities of stepparents and juveniles; child support and alimony. CSU
Formerly L A 65.

PLS 13. Intellectual Property (3)
Lec-3
Advise: PLS 3
Principles of intellectual property law in trademarks, copyrights, and patents including international conventions and differences between ideas and expression of ideas, fair-use doctrine, and the notion of public domain. CSU
Formerly L A 66.

PLS 14. Immigration Law (3)
Lec-3
Advise: PLS 3
This course identifies eligible immigrants, classes of visas, citizenship eligibility and application, and special conditions. Topics include I.N.S. structure, procedures, and filings; factual, country, and legal research; and immigration case management and technology. Hands-on approach. CSU
Formerly L A 67.

PLS 15. Medical Law (3)
Lec-3
Advise: CLW 18 AND PLS 3
General business law (including the law of contracts, corporate legal structures, and antitrust liability) as it applies to the establishment of health care organizations. The law of health care management, including such topics as managed care, professional liability and patients' rights, and health care as a legal right. CSU
Formerly L A 68.

PLS 16. Work Experience (3)
COREQ: ENROLLMENT IN AT LEAST 4 ADDITIONAL UNITS AND CONSENT OF INSTRUCTOR
Work-minimum paid supervised 225 hrs. or unpaid supervised 180 hrs. plus coordinating conferences and individual meetings
COREQ: Enrollment in at least 4 additional units and consent of instructor
Advise: Completion/concurrent enrollment in PLS 1, 2, 4, or 3
Repeat: max. 6 units, including units from PLS 18 and 19
Max. units of work experience per semester: 3
Supervised employment involving legally-related duties. CSU
Formerly L A 97.

PLS 17. Communications Law (3)
Lec-3
Advise: BCST 100, 103, CLW 18, OR JOUR 19
Students will examine the major legal issues faced by the media in the United States. Topics include the First Amendment, prior restraint, defamation, obscenity, fair trial, and free press. Additional topics include broadcasting, cable, and new electronic media as well as the evolving legal and ethical issues associated with the Internet. CSU
Formerly L A 69.

PLS 18. Work Experience (2)
Work-minimum paid supervised 150 hrs. or unpaid supervised 120 hrs. plus coordinating conferences and individual meetings
COREQ: Enrollment in at least 5 additional units and consent of instructor
Advise: Completion/concurrent enrollment in PLS 1, 2, 4, or 3
Repeat: max. 6 units, including units from PLS 16 and 19
Max. units of work experience per semester: 3
Supervised employment involving legally-related duties. CSU
Formerly L A 98.

PLS 19. Work Experience (1)
Work-minimum paid supervised 75 hrs. or unpaid supervised 60 hrs. plus coordinating conferences and individual meetings
COREQ: Enrollment in at least 6 additional units and consent of instructor
Advise: Completion/concurrent enrollment in PLS 1, 2, 4, or 3
Repeat: max. 6 units, including units from PLS 16 and 18
Max. units of work experience per semester: 3
Supervised employment involving legally-related duties. CSU
Formerly L A 99.
 
PLS 20. Introduction to Careers in Law (1)
Lec-1
This course will introduce students to the many careers in today's law offices: what education is
needed, what employers expect, and how to pursue this career. Students will also learn of the
requirements to enter our Paralegal/Legal Studies program or other law-related programs.CSU