LEGL 2323 - Civil Litigation

Description
Provides an overview of civil litigation practice and introduces federal and state rules civil procedure. Emphasis is placed upon the functions and duties of the paralegal in the litigation process, with special attention paid to interviewing clients, drafting pleadings, writing motions and discovery documents, and preparing and filing other legal documents. Students will become familiar with the ethics of civil litigation.

Pre-Requisite
Completion of LEGL 1043, LEGL 1104 with a grade greater than or equal to C.

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
45 lecture hours

3 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall

ACTS Equivalent
N/A

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Explain the ethical responsibilities of the lawyer and paralegal in civil litigation.
Choose a strategy and develop questions for an effective interview.
Conduct effective interviews of clients, witnesses and other parties.
List and explain the steps of a civil trial.
Define and apply the proper vocabulary in civil litigation.
Choose the proper state or federal jurisdiction.
Evaluate a legal claim and draft complaints for different types of civil actions.
Draft pleadings, motions, discovery documents, decrees, orders and a variety of legal documents.
Apply the rules of evidence and formulate and evaluate different strategies in the trial process.
Conduct research related to a civil action.
Identify and respond to appropriate deadlines in the filing of legal documents.
Describe new technologies in the civil litigation process.

General Education Outcomes Supported
N/A

Standard Practices
N/A