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PARA 100 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
This course provides students with an historical perspective of the law and the profession of paralegal. The main focus is the role of the paralegal in the law office including client contact, ethical responsibilities, investigative fact finding, law office management, and legal restrictions. Students will be introduced to legal research and writing, substantive and procedural law, the court systems, and legal terminology.

PARA 110 - Civil Litigation Practice and Procedures - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
The initial phase of an action, the issues of jurisdiction, the complaint and the discovery process will be examined. Court procedures, "Fast Track" and alternatives to litigation such as arbitration and mediation will be discussed. The basic elements of a tort claim will be reviewed as well as the Federal and State Rules of Evidence. Emphasis is placed on the paralegal's role and ethical and professional responsibilities in discovery procedures and trial practice.

PARA 120 - Administrative Law - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Statutory law, case law and administrative rules will be utilized to develop an understanding of the role and authority of administrative agencies. Particular attention will be paid to social security and worker’s compensation claims.

PARA 125 - Business Organizations - 1 UNIT
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
1 hour lecture
Fundamentals of the formation of business entities such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations are included. Emphasis will be on formation, maintenance, taxation, and termination of business entities, and the ethical constraints on paralegals.

PARA 130 - Legal Research and Writing - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 110 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
3 hours lecture
Includes in-depth legal research, writing research reports and subject matter reports on legal issues, case briefings and citations utilizing the uniform system of citation (“Blue Book”) and other citators.

PARA 132 - Computer Assisted Legal Research (CALR) - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100, 130 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass” or concurrent enrollment in 130
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Study of personal computer software and programs designed specifically for use in law offices and legal environments, including but not limited to specific applications such as estate planning, probate accounting, bankruptcy filings, calendaring, legal project management, deposition summaries, computer assisted research (including CD ROM applications), and time and billing programs.

PARA 135 - Bankruptcy Law - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
The United States Federal Bankruptcy Code (as amended) will be the foundation of this examination of bankruptcy law and practice. Students will be exposed to the jurisdictional and filing requirements for bankruptcy cases under Chapters 7, 11 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, and will learn pertinent rules of federal procedure associated with bankruptcy case filings. The focus of this course will be on “consumer” Chapters 7 and 13.

PARA 140 - Criminal Law and Procedures - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
The California Criminal Code and Rules of Criminal Procedure will be the foundation of this examination of the pre-trial and post-trial procedures in a criminal case. Students will be exposed to the criminal justice system from the elements of offenses through post-conviction remedies. The drafting of motions and other documents associated with criminal matters will be included.

PARA 145 - Estate Planning - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Overview of the subject of planning an owner’s estate including a review of the customary means of accomplishing estate planning objectives including wills, trusts, taxation, asset protection and gift-giving programs.

PARA 150 - Family Law - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Domestic relations matters such as marriage, divorce, dissolution, child custody and support, visitation and adoptions are included. The law regulating such matters and the drafting of appropriate documents will be emphasized.

PARA 155 - Insurance Law - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Includes principles of indemnity, interests protected, the transfer of risk, claims made versus occurrence policies, subrogation, review of insurance forms and alternative dispute resolution.

PARA 160 - Personal Injury - 1 UNIT
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
1 hour lecture
Study of the essentials of tort actions with emphasis on personal injury and other forms of negligence. Special attention will be given to the elements of a cause of action in negligence. Theories of recovery, defenses, case handling, witness interviewing, working with insurance carriers and evidence requirements under current California law will be reviewed. Students will review the particular ethical constraints on personal injury paralegals.

PARA 165 - Probate Law - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
The law of wills, estates and estate administration including testate and intestate estates, and law of descent and distribution will be discussed.

PARA 170 - Worker's Compensation - 1 UNIT
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
1 hour lecture
Overview of California’s Worker’s Compensation statutes, including the concept of no-fault insurance and the administration of contested compensation claims for death, disability and vocational rehabilitation. Students will compute awards based upon current benefit formulae.

PARA 180 - Government and Public Contracts - 3 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
3 hours lecture
Study of government and public contracting rules and regulations including but not limited to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Circulars, types of government contracts, Requests for Proposals (RFP), the Competition in Contracting Act (1984), and miscellaneous concepts in contracting with governmental agencies.

PARA 199 - Special Studies or Projects in Paralegal Studies - 1-3 UNITS
Prerequisite: Varies with topic
Corequisite: Varies with topic
Recommended Preparation: Varies with topic
3-9 hours
Individual study, research or projects in Paralegal Studies under instructor guidance. Written reports and periodic conferences required. Content and unit credit to be determined by student/instructor conferences and the Office of Instruction. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units.

PARA 250 - Internship - 1-4 UNITS
Prerequisite: PARA 100 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better or “Pass”
Corequisite: None
Recommended Preparation: None
5 hours paid or 4 hours unpaid work experience per week per unit
Practical work experience in a cooperating law office or corporate legal department. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units.

PARA 298 - Selected Topics in Paralegal Studies - 1-4 UNITS
Prerequisite: Varies with topic
Corequisite: Varies with topic
Recommended Preparation: Varies with topic
1-12 hours
Selected topics in Paralegal Studies not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course content and unit credit to be determined by the Office of Instruction and faculty. May be offered in a seminar, lecture and/or laboratory format. Pass/No Pass only. Non-degree applicable.

PARA 299 - Selected Topics in Paralegal Studies - 1-4 UNITS
Prerequisite: Varies with topic
Corequisite: Varies with topic
Recommended Preparation: Varies with topic
1-12 hours
Selected topics in Paralegal Studies not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course content and unit credit to be determined by the Office of Instruction and faculty. May be offered in a seminar, lecture and/or laboratory format.