Course Descriptions


B-201 AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE

A comprehensive study of the nature of the American judicial system and the paralegal profession. Attention is given to the role of the paralegal in the American legal system, an examination of where law originates and how it is classified, the structure of the federal and state court systems, and legal ethics. 1 credit hour

A-101 TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY

A survey of the general nature of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability and damages. Specific attention is given to investigation in personal injury litigation, case management, settlement and negotiation. Attention is also given to alternatives to litigation (ADR). 2 credit hours

A-102 CIVIL LITIGATION

A thorough examination of the initiation of legal actions, the preparation of pleadings, motions, the discovery process, pre and post-trial activities, trial, and administrative matters important to the legal process. 2 credit hours

A-107 FAMILY LAW

The legal formalities of family law and its impediments are studied, including marriage, annulments, divorce, property rights and distribution, custody and visitation, alimony, separation agreements, adoptions, parent and child law. Students review the documents and pleadings typically seen in family law litigation, e.g. a complaint for divorce and a separation agreement. 2 credit hours


A-108 CRIMINAL LAW

The definition and elements of crimes are explained, including crimes against the person and crimes against property. Constitutional safeguards and procedures necessary from arrest through trial, sentencing and punishment are reviewed. 2 credit hours

A-105 REAL ESTATE TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP

The examination of the basic concepts in the law of real property including parties to a real estate transaction, the sales agreement, financing techniques, deeds and indentures, real property descriptions, the closing and settlement process, and post-settlement activities. 2 credit hours

B-202 BUSINESS LAW

A survey of basic principles of corporation law including their creation and operation as well as a review of partnerships and proprietorships as business entities. Students will be required to prepare the documents necessary for incorporation, amendments, by-laws, and the recording of director's meetings and minutes, dissolutions and liquidations.

The secondary thrust of the course will concern the law of contracts, their enforcement and regulation according to common law and statutory guidelines. 2 credit hours

B-204 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING

This course will provide legal assistants with a general understanding of the nature of legal research and its specific techniques and methodologies. Broad-based consideration will be given to the types of legal reference books: the state and national reporter series, legal encyclopedias, form books, and government publications. Students will learn how to properly cite legal resources using the ALWD Citation Manual.

Students use Lexis, one of the two major online law libraries, for the Legal Research course. Passwords are provided by the Institute. Current login instructions are posted in the on line American Institute -> Lexis Law Library Conference. 2 credit hours

C-301 LEGAL WRITING

This course is designed to strengthen writing, analysis, and critical thinking skills. The course looks at crucial issues of writing in the context of a law practice. By defining an effective writing process, and examining how to write for the appropriate audience, students will learn how to apply the principles of plain English, logical analysis and proper planning, organizing and drafting to a variety of legal documents, including case briefs and legal memoranda. 2 credit hours

C-115 LEXIS WORKSHOP

This six unit, self-directed workshop is designed to provide students with the basic skills necessary to perform simple searches using the Lexis-Nexis web interface. Each unit builds on skills learned in previous units and includes a self-test to insure competency in new skills. Students are not required to have completed any course work prior to taking this workshop. After completing the workshop, students should be able to log on to lexis.com, select the appropriate source(s) and method for their search, retrieve and view those sources, and then print or store their search results. In addition, students will be able to update their searches using the Shepard’s Citations on lexis.com. (Pass/Fail)

Students should complete this Workshop prior to the Legal Research Module. Extra charges apply if the Workshop is taken more than 30 days after the last scheduled course module in the curriculum. Please see the Tuition section of this Catalog. 1 credit hour

C-500 ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

This is a six unit, self-directed workshop that is designed to provide students with an in-depth review of the law of professional responsibility as it affects paralegals, some tools for identifying and resolving ethical problems, and practical tips to use in everyday practice. The text for the workshop is The Legal Assistant’s Practical Guide to Professional Responsibility. It is based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, but offers general guidance that can be adapted to practice in any jurisdiction. After completing the workshop, students should be familiar with the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA’s Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Legal Assistants, as well as the standards of professional conduct created by the National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations. Students are also encouraged to explore their local rules of professional conduct. (Pass/Fail)

Students should complete this Workshop during the first half of the program. Extra charges apply if the Workshop is taken more than 30 days after the last scheduled course module in the curriculum. Please see the Tuition section of this Catalog. 1 credit hour

C-530 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

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. 2 credit hours

C-540 EMPLOYMENT LAW

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. 2 credit hours

C-570 ESTATES AND TRUSTS

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. 2 credit hours

SPECIALTY AND ELECTIVE COURSES

The following courses are available as electives to students and graduates. Contact the Institute office for current pricing and schedules. During selected months, students may choose optional electives in lieu of the core course on their schedule. Additional book charges may apply. For scheduling details, students should visit the AIPS Administration -> AIPS Modular Schedule conference on the FirstClass network. Elective courses may have limited enrollment, and are offered on a first come, first served, basis.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
A110
2 credit hours

This course surveys the general parameters of administrative law - those laws or rules promulgated by agencies of government whether state, local or federal in design. Topics include how administrative agencies operate, rule-making, and the checks and balances that govern agencies. Special attention is given to the procedural and substantive adjudication of administrative law questions. How specific administrative agencies make law is also covered, including the role of paralegals in various agencies.


A-109 JUDGMENT AND ANALYSIS WORKSHOP

This workshop is designed to provide students with an in-depth review of legal analysis and how that analysis is applied to legal memoranda. The first four units of the workshop focus on specific aspects of legal analysis. Units Five and Six bring all of the elements of legal analysis together in the preparation of a legal memorandum.

The workshop consists of six units and a final project. Students progress at their own pace through the units. Each unit includes an assignment relevant to the concepts presented in that unit, as well as a self-assessment e-test. After students have completed all of the units, they must successfully draft a legal memorandum in order to receive a passing grade for the workshop.

This workshop is a pre-requisite for students who wish to enroll in the Institute’s CLA Review Course. 1 credit hour

C-505 CLA Review Course

This course is designed to assist applicants preparing to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) Exam. It is based on the CLA Review Manual and the CLA Study Guide and Mock Examination, and reviews all of the topics covered in each section and subsection of the examination. The course is comprised of eight units of topical coverage, each lasting one week. The ninth unit is a timed, self-administered, abbreviated mock CLA exam consisting of 525 questions.

Students will assess their strengths and weaknesses in each exam topic by taking a pre-test at the beginning of every unit. Discussions will focus on any problem areas that are revealed in the pretests and on any new material that is introduced in the unit reading. At the end of each unit, students will take a post-test made up of sample test questions to reinforce their knowledge of the subject matter and to acquaint them with the timing and types of questions that appear on the CLA exam.

This course is restricted to qualified AIPS Alumni. For details, please cross reference the CLA Exam section of this catalog, beginning on page 19. Four credit hours

C-525 ADVANCED LITIGATION

This course focuses on three major aspects of litigation for paralegals. First, it provides an in-depth look at the procedures for instituting a civil action. Next, it focuses on the development of pre-trial and trial skills such as motion practice, evidence gathering and trial preparation. And, finally, it examines the appellate process. Procedures for instituting litigation includes a review of federal and state court jurisdiction, considers choice of forum issues and discusses service of process problems. The pretrial skills to be developed are: identifying issues raised through motions; providing the supporting documents; gaining a working knowledge of the Rules of Evidence; developing investigation techniques; and using a conceptual framework for trial organization. Appellate procedures involving both the trial and appellate courts will also be examined. 2 credit hours

C-555 ADVANCED CORPORATE LAW

This course is designed for advanced students who understand the basic principles of business organizations and are learning to draft more complicated documents and do research. The course demonstrates the application of the law, compares language in sample clauses and forms, and guides students in an understanding of the statutory framework for business organizations. The uniform laws, such as the Uniform Partnership Act, the Model Business Corporation Act, and the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Acts, are the basis from which we will work. However, we will also compare local law and the effect of local statutes on the operation and structure of the business. 2 credit hours

C-565 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

This course reviews the topics of copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and patents. The goals of the course are to provide paralegals with a basic background in intellectual property law and to introduce them to the skills that are required of an intellectual property paralegal. 2 credit hours

C-566 COPYRIGHT LAW

This course provides students with a basic understanding of intellectual property, with a focus on copyright law. Students will be introduced to the types of protectable and unprotectable works, the rights granted under copyright, the rights of musicians and other entitles in the music business, the concept of works made for hire, and the issue of copyright infringement. Students will also learn the basics of preparing and filing copyright applications and registrations and how to respond to copyright notice. 2 credit hours

C568 PATENT LAW

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 an 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. 2 credit hours

C-567 TRADEMARK LAW

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. 2 credit hours

C-585 IMMIGRATION LAW

A two credit course designed to provide the paralegal student with an overview of the three major subject areas which are the basis for U.S. Immigration Law: Temporary or Nonimmigrant 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 websites for immigration related materials, and reviewing current issues in Immigration Law. 2 credit hours

Stretch. Specialize. Succeed.