LA 500 Introduction to the Legal System
A study of law and federal and state court systems. Surveys various kinds of law practices, the roles of attorneys and paralegals, ethics, and legal research. Substantive reports following visits to local courts are required. Offered fall semester only. (3)
LA 501 Civil and Criminal Procedure
Introduction to the court system and the basis upon which the tribunals hear and resolve legal disputes. Focuses on preparation of documents for all stages of trial work. Overview of the federal rules of civil and criminal procedure and of constitutional issues governing these procedures. Offered fall semester only. (3)
LA 505 General Legal Procedures
A study of areas of general legal practice, including family law, trusts and estates, bankruptcy, torts, intellectual property, and business entity law. Focuses on preparation of documents used in these practice areas. Offered fall semester only. (3)
LA 509 Public Law and Administrative Procedures
Introduction to the federal and state legislative and regulatory processes. Overview of the appeals process for Immigration, Social Security, and Provider Appeals and the hearing processes of the NLRB, ICC, FTC, and FCC. Focuses on preparation of legislative and administrative documents. Offered spring semester only. (3)
LA 535 Personnel Law
Focuses on the dynamic relationship between legal and personnel concepts and how human resource practitioners can help organizations avoid exposure to litigation. Students analyze and apply appropriate rules of law to problem situations. (3)
LA 540 Health Care Law
Provides students with a review of medical-legal aspects of health care. The course focuses on major legal issues of malpractice, antitrust, insurance law, patient rights, and provider liability. Offered fall semester only. Prerequisites: HCM 510 and HCM 535, or permission of department chair. (3)
LA 550 Law Office Management
Provides an overview of management principles and their application to the law firm or corporate law department. Focuses on how the law firm generates revenue and the importance of time management and the control of expenses. Surveys facilities management, information management, basic accounting and finance, and personnel management issues. Prerequisite: at least 15 credits in graduate LA courses or permission of department chair. (3)
LA 561 Law and the Business Environment
Examines the role of law and legal procedure in management of business enterprises, concentrating on business organization, liability issues, employment law, consumer protection, antitrust, securities, and legal-ethical concerns. Provides a broad understanding of reciprocal influence of business and legislation. (3)
LA 562 Law, Computers, and the Internet
Overview of the legal issues arising in computer technology: patent, copyright, trademark, computer contracts, employment contracts, trade secrets, licensing, right to privacy, First Amendment rights, and legal ethics. Offered spring semester only. Recommended Prerequisite: LA 561. (3)
LA 590 Supervising Legal Research and Writing
A study of terms, publications, and legal research tools and techniques. Provides students with a clear understanding of legal terminology and its use in the preparation of legal briefs, memoranda, and opinions as students perform legal research and draft legal documents. Emphasizes proper citation format. Offered fall semester only. (3)
LA 591 Advanced Legal Research and Writing/Computerized Legal Research
Provides experience in using Lexis, Westlaw, and the Internet in conducting legal research and provides advanced legal writing instruction. Emphasizes proper citation format. Offered spring semester only. Prerequisite: LA 590. (3)
LA 595 Paralegal Seminar on Constitutional Law
Introduces students to current legal issues affecting paralegals working in law firms or corporate law departments. Students are required to follow current Supreme Court cases and state bar actions/regulations impacting the practice of law. See department chair for course offering schedule. Prerequisite: permission of department chair. (3)