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LEGAL STUDIES
LEGAL STUDIES
BERNADETTE AGRESTI, Program Director
FACULTY: Ms. Bernadette Agresti, Paralegal, Hon. Stephanie
Domitrovich, Atty. Mary Alfieri Richmond, Atty. Mark Claypool,
Atty. Ryan Christy, Hon. John Garhart, Atty. Brian Krowicki,
Atty. Joseph Martone, Atty. Buddy Stark.
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."
A paralegal must follow the guidelines regarding the unauthorized practice of
law of the state in which he/she is performing legal services.
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: LEGL 111, LEGL 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.
Prerequisites: LEGL 111, LEGL 211
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.
Prerequisites: LEGL 111, LEGL 211
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.
Prerequisites: LEGL 111, LEGL 211
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, 171, 172 or instructor's permission; LEGL 111, LEGL 211
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, LEGL 211
3 credits
LEGL 390-394: Special Topics in Legal Studies
Prerequisites: LEGL 111, LEGL 211
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.
Prerequisites: LEGL 105, LEGL 111, LEGL 211
1-6 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 | Basic Sociology/SOCI 110 |
| 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 | Hist of West & World/LHST 111 |
| 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 |
| 3 | Theology Series II/LTHE |
| 3 | Poli Sci/POLI 111 |
| 3 | Speech/SPCH 111 |
| 3 | Math/MATH 110, 111, 114 or 125 |
| 15 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Fine Art Series/LFIN |
| 3 | Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 231 |
| 3 | PC Applications/CIS 170-172 |
| 3 | Poli Sci/POLI 122 |
| 3 | Psychology/PSYC 111 |
| 3 | Cognate |
| 18 | Credits |
|
| |
| THIRD YEAR |
| First Semester |
| Second Semester |
| 3 | Philosophy Series II/LPHI |
| 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 or LPHI |
| 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 |
|
| |
Two and four year students should take LEGL 243 & 245 in the same semester.
*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 | Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 231 |
| 6 | Legal Studies/Electives |
| 9 | Cognates |
| 18 | Credits |
|
|
| 3 | Theology or Phil Series III/LTHE or LPHI |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 495 |
| 3 | Legal Studies/LEGL 343 |
| 3 | Trial Prep Procedures/LEGL 345 |
| 3 | Cognates |
| 15 | Credits |
|
| |
*Cognates may include additional legal service courses and such others as approved by a program advisor.
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