Advanced Course Descriptions

The American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc. (AIPS) Advanced & Specialty Courses provide advanced level continuing legal education courses to legal professionals who wish to enhance their education and training. Continuing education should be an integral part of the careers of all paralegals who want to stay abreast of the trends and developments in their field. It supplements both formal and informal education and training, and helps paralegals keep up with the ever-changing laws and regulations in their particular specialty.

AIPS Advanced & Specialty courses are designed for legal professionals who have successfully completed a paralegal course of study with an earned degree or certificate from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  Exceptions can be made for those with considerable paralegal work experience. However, the Advanced & Specialty programs and certificates are not intended in any way, to substitute for an earned Paralegal Certificate or degree.  All courses are considered avocational and no placement assistance is provided.  These are not entry level courses.

2008 Start Dates: Sessions begin on: 01/21/08, 3/10/08, 4/21/08, 6/9/08, 7/21/08, 9/15/08, 10/20/08

2008 Tuition:               
            Two credit courses $795.00, plus books
            Stand alone courses:
            PACE Review Course: $395.00, plus books
            Ethics for Legal Assistants:
            $300.00 ($225.00 for IPMA members)
            Ethics tuition includes text

*Tuition does not include book fees.  (Students purchase their books directly from the publisher or online vendor.  Renee Sova maintains a list for your convenience.)

Courses may be taken on an individual course basis, or combined to earn a Specialty Certificate.

For more information please contact Renee Sova, the Director of Advanced Specialty Programs at renee.sova@americanparalegal.edu or at 1-888-233-2019.

AIPS is the Official Provider of the Online Review Course for the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE).   Please visit www.paralegals.org for details.

In order to receive an advanced specialty certificate, you must take a three or four course sequence as designated below.  Be sure to check with Renee Sova,  Director of Advanced Specialty Programs, prior to signing up for your specialty certificate. The courses are grouped according to their specialty certificate in the table below.  Course descriptions are detailed later in this document.

Prerequisites, where noted, are common core courses in most paralegal certificate and degree programs.  The AIPS course number is included for reference, but prerequisites do not need to be taken through the Institute if you are already a degreed or certificated paralegal.

The Institute offers Specialty Certificates in the following areas

Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

    1.          Advanced Litigation (C525)
    2.          Alternative Dispute Resolution (C530)
    3.          Advanced Tort Law (C535)
    4.          (Prerequisites: Civil Litigation (A102) and Tort Law (A101))

Corporate Law

    1.          Advanced Corporate Law (C555)
    2.          Intellectual Property Law (C565)
    3.          Contract Law (C556)
    4.          (Prerequisite: Business Law (B202))

Elder Law

    1.          Estates and Trust Law (C570)
    2.          Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions (C575)
    3.          Elder Law (C580)
    4.          Estate Planning (C576)
      1. Prerequisite: Estates and Trust Law (C570)

Intellectual Property

    1.          Intellectual Property Law (C565)
    2.          Copyright Law (C566)
    3.          Trademark Law (C567)
    4.          Patent Law (C568)

Legal Technology

    1.        Legal Technology Workshop (Office Applications)
    2.        Litigation Support
    3.        Legal Back Office Applications
    4.        Trial Presentation

Course Descriptions

ADVANCED LITIGATION
C525
2 credit hours

This course can be taken separately, or combined with selected courses to earn a Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialty certificate.

This course provides an in depth look at three aspects of civil litigation: (1) Procedures for instituting a civil action; (2) The skills, such as evidence gathering and trail preparation, necessary for a litigation paralegal; and (3) The appellate process. Students will review federal and state court jurisdiction, choice of forum issues, and service of process problems. Pretrial and trial skills to be developed include identifying issues raised through motions, providing supporting documents, having a working knowledge of the Rules of Evidence, investigation techniques, and using a conceptual framework for trial organization. In addition, appellate procedures involving both the trial and appellate courts will be examined.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
C530
2 credit hours

This course presents Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) against the backdrop of traditional litigation. Eight basic methods of ADR, and several hybrids, are explained in detail. In addition, students will explore seven arenas where disputes often arise and how one or more methods of ADR apply. Students will evaluate disputes and disputants to determine the most appropriate method for resolving a matter. Specific topics addressed include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, settlement strategies, the application of ADR to specific disputes in various industries and sections of the bar, sources of ADR services, and the role of the paralegal in ADR.

ADVANCED TORT LAW
C535
2 credit hours

A review of the laws governing torts and personal injury. Special emphasis is placed on investigation, negligence and special negligence actions, defenses to negligence, intentional torts with injuries to persons and property, defenses to intentional torts, strict liability, products liability, special tort actions and tort immunities. This course also discusses the critical role played by paralegals in bringing and defending tort actions.

EMPLOYMENT LAW
C540
2 credit hours

A review of the laws governing employment. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the most important facets of employment law. Specific attention is given to the laws that create the employment relationship, mandate documenting employment practices, and define the parameters of litigating employment claims. Topics include federal wage regulation, labor law, workplace discrimination, the impact of employment law on the family, ADA, privacy laws, sexual harassment, human resource management, federal regulations, and employee handbooks.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
C550
2 credit hours

A study of Workers’ Compensation law for graduate paralegal students.  Discussion topics include  the forms and procedures of the system and how the system fits into other available federal, state, and private disability, retirement, and welfare programs.

ADVANCED CORPORATE LAW
C555
2 credit hours

Advanced Corporate Law is designed for students who understand the basic principles of business organizations and are learning to draft more complicated documents and do research. The goals of the course are to demonstrate the application of the uniform laws, to compare language in sample clauses and forms, and to develop an understanding of the statutory framework for business organizations. Unit discussions include the law of agency, employment and compensation, sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies, the business corporation, corporate financial structure, and corporations in foreign jurisdictions.

BUSINESS LAW
B202
2 credit hours

This course can be taken separately, or combined with selected courses to earn Corporate Law Specialist Certificate.

This course is a survey of the basic principles of business law, including the law of contracts and the creation and operation of business entities.  The first part of the course concerns the law of contracts, their enforcement and regulation according to common law and statutory guidelines.  Topics include the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), types of contracts and the elements of binding contracts, defenses to valid contracts, how contractual duties are terminated, third party rights, damages, drafting and reviewing contracts. The second half of the course begins with a discussion of agency, and then covers the four main types of business formations: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability corporations.  The course ends with a brief discussion of the ways business organizations change and how companies borrow money.

CONTRACT LAW
C556
2 credit hours

This course is a in-depth discussion of the law of contracts and the role of the paralegal in this area of law.  Particular attention is given to the six basic requirements for every valid contract: offer, acceptance, consideration, legality of subject matter, contractual capacity, and contractual intent.  Discussions also center upon the various classifications into which all contracts fall.  Additional topics include the Statute of Frauds, the Uniform Commercial Code, third party contracts, and legal remedies for breach of contract. Students will learn how to draft and interpret different types of contracts, and will analyze case law involving contract disputes.

ESTATES & TRUST LAW
C570
2 credit hours

The study of wills, intestate succession, trusts, estate planning, family protection, probate courts, uniform laws, the personal representative, and the process of probating a will and administering an estate. Specific attention is given to the laws of intestate succession; the technical requirements for executing, revoking, and contesting wills; trusts, including special-purpose trusts; estate planning; family protection laws, probate courts, and uniform laws related to estates and trusts; the appointment, duties, and titles of a personal representative; and the techniques used in formal and informal probate proceedings, as well as ancillary administration.

SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND GOVERNMENT PENSIONS
C575
2 credit hours

A study of how Social Security and various retirement plans work together. Students will become familiar with benefits available under both systems and the forms and procedures involved. Specific attention is directed to the relationship between Social Security and other available federal, state, and private disability, retirement, and welfare programs. This course also addresses various private and governmental employment-based retirement plans.

ESTATE PLANNING
C576
2 credit hours

Estate Planning introduces the paralegal student to the terms, concepts, and practical steps involved in helping clients make decisions about who will own their property after death, and how wealth may be transferred through lifetime transfers, trusts, and wills to achieve maximum tax and personal benefits. The course reviews the significant aspects of estate planning in the context of three fictional families, whose goals, strategies, and results are defined and explained. Students are able to analyze and apply their knowledge of estate planning by comparing the different family backgrounds and different personal and financial goals of these fictional families. Special attention is given to taxation and estate planning, as well as to drafting an estate plan.

ELDER LAW
C580
2 credit hours

A study of the field of elder care law, including the areas of advance directives, wills and guardianships. Special attention is focused on patients’’ rights in health care decision making, Medicare and Medicaid, managed care, long term care insurance, living facilities for the elderly, and financial planning for the elderly. Unit topics include the role of the paralegal as a member of the elder care law team, living wills and advance directives, the law of wills and guardianships, physician assisted suicide, managed care, nursing home and assisted living facilities, and Social Security benefits.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  LAW
C565
2 credit hours
A study of the four major disciplines of intellectual property: copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and patents. The goal of this course is to provide a background in intellectual property law and the skills required of an intellectual property paralegal. Discussion topics include: rights granted under copyright, principles of fair use, and the first sale doctrine; issues of ownership; copyright registration; state and federal trademark rights; federal trademark registration; securing Internet domain; trademark disputes; trade secrets; patent registration; and ownership, transfer and administration of patents. Students will work through an infringement lawsuit from cease and desist letter to settlement. In addition, specific emphasis is placed on the use of on-line research.

COPYRIGHT LAW
C566
2 credit hours

Copyrights protect original artistic, literary, musical and other works. The course begins with an overview of intellectual property law with the primary emphasis on copyright law. The student will be introduced to basic copyright concepts and types of protectible works. The course targets the differences between derivative works and compilations, and discusses what is not protectible under copyright law. The rights granted under copyright and principles of fair use and the first sale doctrine are also explored. Information is introduced about the rights of musicians, record companies, music broadcasters, and other entities in the music business. The concept of copyright authorship is also explored. Issues of ownership are examined and particular attention is devoted to the concept of works made for hire and the duration of copyrights. How copyrights are transferred is discussed and students will learn how to perform some basic copyright research. Students will also discover how to perform copyright registration. The basics of preparing and filing copyright applications, as well as dealing with copyright notice and correcting and canceling of registrations is explored. Copyright infringement, remedies that may be sought for same, and the common defenses to an infringement allegation will be examined. Lastly, the student will study alternative dispute resolutions and the basics of preparing an infringement litigation case.

PATENT LAW
C568
2 credit hours

This course is designed for paralegal students who wish to understand the basic principles of Intellectual Property law and who wish to focus and specialize in the area of Patent Law. Intellectual Property overlaps four general fields of law: trademarks (which protect names, logos, symbols, and other devices indicating the quality and source of products and services); copyrights (which protect original works of authorship); patents (which are grants by the federal government that allow their owners to exclude others from making, using, or selling the owner's invention); and trade secrets (which consist of a commercial information that, if disclosed, would give the competitor an advantage in the marketplace). This course deals exclusively with the law of patents. We will be covering the foundation of patent law, the patent searching process, the patent application process, the ownership rights associated with patents, how patent rights are transferred, the issues, remedies, and defenses involved in patent infringement actions, some of the new developments in patent law, and a general overview of International patent law.

TRADEMARK LAW
C567
2 credit hours

This course is designed for paralegal students who with to understand the basic principles of Intellectual Property law and focus on, or specialize in, Trademark Law. Intellectual Property overlaps four general fields of law: trademarks (which protect names, logos, symbols, and other devices indicating the quality and source of products and services); copyrights (which protect original works of authorship); patents (which are grants by the federal government that allow their owners to exclude others from making, using, or selling the owner's invention); and trade secrets (which consist of any commercial information that, if disclosed, would give the competitor an advantage in the marketplace). This course deals exclusively with the law of trademarks. The course will cover the foundations of Trademark Law, how to select and search for existing trademarks, how to conduct the trademark registration process and post registration procedures, how to maintain a trademark, what is involved in Inter Partes, trademark infringement and dilution proceedings, and an overview of the new developments in Trademark Law and International Trademark Law.

IMMIGRATION LAW BASICS
C585
2 credit hours

A two credit course designed to provide the student with an overview of the three major subject areas which are the basis for U.S. Immigration Law: Temporary or Non-immigrant Visas/Status; Permanent or Immigrant Visas/Status; and U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization. Immigration is a notoriously complex area of law because it is both detailed and technical - and constantly changing. Like other administrative law fields, it is highly procedure, forms, and documents driven. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the history of Immigration law, as well as the general procedures, terminology, and agencies that are part of Immigration Law. Students will have practice in completing standard immigration forms, researching Immigration Law, accessing government and other web sites for immigration related materials, and reviewing current issues in Immigration Law reviewed. (Offered subject to instructor availability.)

ADVANCED IMMIGRATION LAW : PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
C586
2 credit hours

This advanced level course continues to explore the topic of U.S. Immigration Law at a higher and more detailed level than the Basic Immigration Law course.  The goal of this course is to expose the paralegal to the actual procedures of this area of law as well as some significant and complex issues critical to the practice of U.S. Immigration Law. (Offered subject to instructor availability.)

STAND ALONE COURSES

PACE REVIEW COURSE
C510
Non-credit

AIPS is the Official Provider of the online review course for the PACE exam.

This course prepares the practicing paralegal to sit for the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE). If it is your goal to sit for the exam, please be sure you meet the entrance test requirements. This course is based on the PACE Study Manual published by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) and covers the following domains tested in PACE:

(a) Administration of Client Legal Matters,
(b) Development of Client Legal Matters,
(c) Factual and Legal Research,
(d) Factual and Legal Writing, and
(e) Office Administration.

This course also includes a unit devoted to ethics because this topic is covered in each domain. Students will assess their strengths and weaknesses in the various domains and focus on the material covered in these domains. At the end of each unit are sample test questions used to test students' knowledge of the subject matter and to acquaint them with the types of questions that appear on PACE. There will also be instruction on how to tackle a multiple choice examination and more importantly, on how to take a computerized test. You will also receive an analysis of your weak areas and what domains you need to concentrate on as you conclude your test preparation.

Text: PACE Study Manual /Published by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. ( NFPA).  This book must be ordered through NFPA at paralegals.org.

ETHICS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS
C500
1 credit

(Co-sponsored by the International Paralegal Management Association)

Paralegals must understand the effects their conduct can have upon their supervising attorney. The consequence for paralegals who do not follow the rules of ethical conduct could include losing their paralegal position with their employer. However, the consequences for the supervising attorney are potentially more severe. The attorney may be reprimanded, suspended, or even disbarred, depending upon the nature of the unethical conduct and state rules. This course focuses on issues of supervision and delegation, professional responsibility, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, conflict of interest, advertising, and handling client funds. The professional guidelines, state rules, statutes, and court decisions regarding ethical issues are also reviewed. Unit topics include: An Overview of Ethics; The Unauthorized Practice of Law; Professionalism; Confidentiality; Conflict of Interest; and Other Ethical Issues.

Text: The Legal Assistants Practical Guide to Professional Responsibility By: The American Bar Association(ABA), Published by: The American Bar Association

Books: Included in the tuition and book shipped by AIPS to student.

LEGAL WRITING
C301
2 credit hours

This course is designed to strengthen the student’s writing, analysis, and critical thinking skills. The course looks at crucial issues of writing in the context of the practice of law. By defining an effective writing process, and examining how to write for the appropriate audience, students will learn how to apply principles of plain English, logical analysis and proper planning, organizing, and drafting to a variety of legal documents.

To order your book(s), please e-mail Renee Sova at renee.sova@americanparalegal.edu for publisher information or on line vendors.

 

Stretch. Specialize. Succeed.