Legal Office Administration

This course seeks to enable students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills needed toward the goal of becoming an exceptional legal practitioner in an administrative capacity. It is a bridge course designed to provide students with the tools to develop a thorough understanding of legal office procedures including database management, the preparation of legal documentation including research, legal accounting methods, legal analysis, communications and ethics. At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to improve communication methods, improve the productivity within the legal office by obtaining effective tools that promote a smoother operation. You will also get a better understanding of the importance of competency, confidentiality and the administration of ethics in a legal office environment. Instructions will be given through a blend of lectures, discussions, presentations, class exercises and quizzes. Students shall be expected to complete each assignment in order to receive the legal office administration certificate. Agenda UNIT 1 - Introduction to Law & Legal Systems A. What is law? B. United States & Canadian Legal Systems C. Court procedures – service and filing D. The relationship between the Courts & the legal office UNIT 2 – Legal office procedures A. The functions of a legal office administrator B. The functions of a legal assistant C. Office organization D. Docketing UNIT 3 – Client management A. Lawyer – client relationship B. Client database management – computer systems & applications C. Customer service D. Privacy UNIT 4- Legal research & writing A. Legal terminology & language B. Legal research & analysis C. Drafting – citations, plagiarism, clarity & structure D. Preparation for court