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LEGAL STUDIES
LEGAL STUDIES
BERNADETTE AGRESTI, Program Director
FACULTY: Ms. Bernadette Agresti, Paralegal, Atty. Thomas Agresti,
Atty. Joseph Martone, Atty. Darrel Negri, Atty. Buddy
Stark, Atty. Joseph Steele
The Gannon University Legal Studies Program is approved by
the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA definition of a legal assistant is:
“A legal assistant is a person, qualified by education, training or work
experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation,
government agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated
substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”
Legal Assistants provide professional services in a variety
of legal business settings, and corporations, usually, but not exclusively under
the supervision of a lawyer. These services can include: interviewing,
investigation, legal research, preparation of legal documents, review of
transcripts, and participation in adversary and regulatory proceedings. One of
the fastest growing professions nationally, legal assistants/paralegals are
employed by individual attorneys, law firms, courts and government legal
offices. They are also in growing demand by corporations, government agencies,
financial institutions, insurance companies and real estate firms. Program
graduates are advised not to confine their search for employment to the Erie
market. Employment should be sought throughout the United States and beyond.
Gannon University’s ABA approved program offers three
options: a four-year baccalaureate degree, a two-year associate degree, and a
certificate option. Students pursuing other majors may double major or complete
a certificate while completing their chosen four-year degree program, with the
permission of the program director and the Dean of the College where the program
lies.
The Bachelor Degree Program
The Baccalaureate Degree Program is designed to prepare students for advanced
positions in the legal assistant/paralegal profession that increasingly require
a four year degree in legal studies or another major with a legal
studies/paralegal certificate. Among the 128 credits required for the degree are
36 credits in Liberal Studies, 34 credits of Legal Studies courses, 33 credits
in supplementary requirements, and 25 credits in unspecified cognates and
electives. Students are encouraged to take a strong minor or even a double major
in a related field.
The Associate Degree Program
The two year, Associate Degree Program is for the student who is not ready to
commit to a four year program. It is attractive to non-traditional students or
students who are working while pursuing a degree. Requirements are 18 credits in
Liberal Studies, 28 credits in Professional Studies including an internship, 6
credits of supplementary work, and 12 credits of unspecified cognate classes.
All work taken may be applied toward a four year degree.
Legal Studies Certificate
The Legal Studies Certificate may be earned as a post-associate degree or the
equivalent thereof, or a post-Bachelor degree. It may also be taken in
conjunction with any four year degree program, if the Program Director of the
student’s major accepts the required 18-25 credits as cognates and/or electives.
Legal Studies Certificate
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
| 1 | Orientation/Paralegalism/LEGL 105
|
| 3 | Intro to Law/LEGL 111
|
| 3 | Legal Research & Writing I/LEGL 211
|
| 3 | Legal Research & Writing II/LEGL 212
|
| 3 | Computers in Law/LEGL 343
|
| 3 | Trial Preparation & Procedure/LEGL 345
|
| 3 | Legal Services Internship/LEGL 495
|
| 6 | Legal Services Electives |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
LEGL 105: Orientation/Paralegalism
An introduction to the role of lawyers and legal assistants/paralegals in the legal process. This course is not considered a legal speciality course.
1 credit
LEGL 111: Introduction to Law
Introduction to the principles of substantive law essential to the prospective paraprofessional. Included are the areas of tort, contract, criminal and property law. Introduction to the structure of the judicial system and the mechanics of the legal process.
3 credits
LEGL 211: Legal Research and Writing I
An orientation to the law library and to legal research. Introduction to the sources of law and to techniques for finding statutory, regulatory and judge made laws as well as legal commentaries. Exercises in legal research and writing.
3 credits
LEGL 212: Legal Research and Writing II
Advanced work in legal research and legal writing. Introduction to legal analysis, focusing on practical assignments which examine in detail the components of court opinions. The course emphasizes case analysis, and the preparation of both informal and formal legal memorandums.
Prerequisite: HQ 211, Legal Research I.
3 credits
LEGL 227 Contract Law
A course to provide an understanding of contracts as developed under common law and legislative directives. Students will evaluate the formation, enforceability, and defenses to contracts.
3 credits
LEGL 311: Family Law
A course covering the substantive and procedural law concerning divorce, adoption, child custody disputes and visitation rights, duties of support.
Prerequisites:
LEGL 111, LEGL 211
3 credits
LEGL 313: Wills and Estate Administration
A course covering the preparation of wills and trusts, the administration of estates and trusts, and tax consequences.
Prerequisites:
LEGL 111, LEGL 211
3 credits
LEGL 331: Business Organizations
A course providing an overview of the formation and operation of business enterprises including sole propritorships, partnerships and corporations.
3 credits
LEGL 333: Real Estate Law
This course covers the acquisition, ownership, regulation and disposition of real property. Financing of real estate is also covered.
Prerequisites:
LEGL 111, LEGL 211
3 credits
LEGL 334: Public Records Research and Title Abstracts
Theory and practice of completing courthouse civil and criminal records research and real estate title abstracts.
3 credits
LEGL 335: Bankruptcy
A course emphasizing the substantive law of bankruptcy including the rights of debtors, creditors and other interested parties and the legal assistant's role in bankruptcy proceedings.
Prerequisites:
LEGL 111, LEGL 211
3 credits
LEGL 341: Law Office Management
Principles of law office management. Law office personnel and the law office environment, including the law library, office forms and equipment, the use of computers for billing, calendaring and document management.
3 credits
LEGL 343: Computers in the Law
A course designed to introduce legal assistants and other legal professionals to the use of computers in the law and to prepare them to use computer skills in the office of the future.
Prerequisite: CIS 170-173, Introduction to PC's or instructor's permission; LEGL 111 Legal Research & Writing I.
3 credits
LEGL 345: Trial Preparation and Procedure
An overview of the litigation process including pleadings, third-party practice, discovery, the presentation of evidence at trial and the rules of evidence, and post-trial practice.
Prerequisites: LEGL 111 Introduction to Law and LEGL 212 Legal Research I.
3 credits
LEGL 390-394: Special Topics in Legal Studies
1-3 credits
LEGL 495: Legal Studies Internship
Placement in a law office, legal department, public legal institution, financial, institution, or insurance company. Students may take 2 internships.
1-3 credits
Note: Interns should have substantially completed
their studies. A grade point average of 2.25 in all paralegal courses or
permission of the Program Director is required for enrollment.
Legal Studies/Paralegal
Four Year Curriculum
| FIRST YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | College Composition/LENG 111 |
| 3 | Hist of West & World/LHST 111 |
| 1 | Legal Studies/LEGL 105 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 111 |
| 3 | Modern Language |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 211 |
| 16 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Critical Analysis & Comp/LENG 112 |
| 3 | Basic Sociology/SOCI 110 |
| 3 | Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121 |
| 3 | Legal Studies Elective |
| 3 | Modern Language |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 212 |
| 18 | Credits |
|
| |
| SECOND YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | Literature Series /LENG 240 |
| 3 | Theology Series II/LTHE 223 |
| 3 | Poli Sci/POLI 111 |
| 3 | Speech/SPCH 111 |
| 3 | Math/MATH 111 or 114 or 125 or 213 |
| 15 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Fine Art Series/LFIN 250/253 |
| 3 | Invitation to Philosophy/LPHI 231 |
| 3 | PC Applications/CIS 170-173 |
| 3 | Poli Sci/POLI 122 |
| 3 | Psychology/PSYC 111 |
| 3 | Cognate |
| 18 | Credits |
|
| |
| THIRD YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | Philosophy Series II/LPHI 233 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/Electives |
| 3 | Financial Acc/BCOR 201 |
| 6 | Cognate |
| 15 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | LS Science |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 345 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 343 |
| 3 | English/ENGL 212 |
| 3 | Cognate |
| 15 | Credits |
|
| |
| FOURTH YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | Theology or Phil Series III/ LTHE 227 or LPHI 237 |
| 6 | Legal Studies Elective |
| 3 | Cognates |
| 3 | Elective |
| 15 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Senior Seminar/LBST 383 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 495 |
| 3 | Legal Studies Elective |
| 6 | Cognate |
| 1 | Elective |
| 16 | Credits |
|
| |
*Spanish is particularly recommended to fulfill the language requirement. Cognates may include additional legal services courses and such other courses as approved by a program advisor.
Legal Studies/Paralegal
Two Year Curriculum
| FIRST YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | College Composition/LENG 111 |
| 3 | Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121 |
| 1 | Legal Studies/LEGL 105 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 111 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 211 |
| 3 | Political Science/POLI 111 |
| 16 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Crit Analysis & Comp/LENG 112 |
| 3 | Hist of West & World/LHST 111 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 212 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/Elective |
| 3 | PC Applications/CIS 170-173 |
| 15 | Credits |
|
| |
| SECOND YEAR |
| First Semester | | Second Semester |
| 3 | Invitation to Philosophy/LPHI 231 |
| 6 | Legal Studies/Electives |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 345 |
| 6 | Cognates |
| 18 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Theology or Phil Series III/LTHE 227 or LPHI 237 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 495 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 343 |
| 6 | Cognates |
| 15 | Credits |
|
| |
*Cognates may include additional legal service courses and such others as approved by a program advisor.
Legal Studies: Law and Politics
Students pursuing this track will take most of the required
courses in the Political Science major, but will substitute 2 legal courses,
Introduction to Law & Society and Legal Analysis & Persuation, for 2 upper level
Political Science courses.
Students who intend to go on to law school are encouraged to
complete the Legal Studies Certificate. The certificate can be completed within
the four year program by using those courses as the allowable cognates and
electives offered in the Political Science Program. If the pre law school
student does not want to complete the certificate, they are encouraged to take
some of the Legal Studies courses so that they can learn skills that could
enable them to find summer employment and/or part-time employment in legal
settings. Some helpful courses would include Legal Research & Writing I and II,
Public Records Research, Computers in Law, and Trial Prep and Procedure.
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