Course Description: This course will cover the theories, procedures and systems of law office management as well as an overview of the legal team and judicial system.

Textbook(s): Practical Law Office Management, Roper, West Publishing.

Special Assignments/Procedures: Two (2) projects, Five (5) exams. Exams are based on textbook assigned readings.

Class Attendance: University policy stipulates: "Attendance at all classes . . . is expected to all students and all courses are conducted with this understanding. A student's grades are based upon the general quality of work performed in each course and by such factors as prompt completion of all assignments, papers, and readings by presence for all examinations, and by participation in class discussion. The faculty has no obligation to provide special consideration of any kind to students who are absent from classes or examinations . . ." However, "Absenteeism alone shall not be a factor in grade determinations for upper classmen."

Evaluation Procedures: Students will be graded on their timely completion of the projects and exam results.

Total possible pts. 200

1. Course overview. Review syllabus - Read Chapter 1
2. Overview of legal team. - (Attorneys, Administrators, Legal Assistant, Office Managers, Librarians, Secretaries.
3. The different types of law office/practices: private law firms, business/corporate, government, legal aid, sole practitioner, office sharing.
4. Law Practice Organization structures - legal forms, sole proprietors, partnership, professional corp. limited liability corporation.
5. The Judicial System and it's recognition of the Legal Assistant Profession. Law Clerks. The Systems view of management. (Set procedure for dealing with activities or problems.) Development and use of law office staff and procedures manuals.
6. Exam #1 - Chapter 1. - (20 multiple choice, 10 true/false, 6 short answer, 2 essay - (Missouri vs. Jenkins), 4 functions of law office management.)
7. Chapter 2 - Ethics and malpractice (high ethical standards), avoidance malpractice problems, unauthorized practice of law; factors to determine.
8. Attorney/Client privilege - Guidelines to prevent breach of confidentiality
9. Conflict of interest; Chinese Wall; common ethical complaints
10. Exam #2 - Chapter 2 - (20 multiple choice, 6 true/false, 4 short answer, 2 essay.)
11. Staff Manuals, assembling, revising.
12. Total Quality Management, competing on quality, client perceptions, improving systems.
13. Marketing (goals options) - Rainmakers, Ethical perspectives.
14. Exam #3 - Chapter 3 - (20 multiple choice; 10 true/false; 4 short answer; 1 essay.
15. Planning; setting objectives, assessing the future, developing action plans to achieve objectives. Chapter 4 - Clients and Communication Skills
16. Interviewing Effectively.
17. Chapter 5 - Computerized Timekeeping and Billing
18. Computerized Billing
19. Chapter 6 - Client Funds and Law Office Accounting. Trust/escrow accounts (ethical issues).
20. Chapter 7 - Docket Control
21. Chapter 8 Human Resource Management - job descriptions, advertising/recruiting, applications, reviewing resumes, performance evaluations, employee attitude surveys, termination, problem employees.
22. Personnel Policies - Personnel Law Issues (Employment at will, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Employment Opportunity, Americans w/Disabilities, Sexual Harassment Act.
23. Exam #4 - Chapters 4-8 - (40 multiple choice; 15 true/false; 5 short answer; 2 essay)
24. Chapter 9 - Law Office Information Systems (software, ROM, RAM, CDRom, database programs.)
25. Chapter 10 - File & Law Library Management.
26. Law Office Equipment, Space Management, Security & Leases
27. Final Exam #5 - Chapters 9-11 - (30 multiple choice; 15 short answer; 2 essay)

Develop a set of procedures for dealing with law office activities or problems.

Address 3 problems and develop a small manual to be used by office staff.

This project will require an interview with a law office manager. The manual will be a team effort with 3 students per team. Collaboration is required of each team member.

No less then 2 and no more then 3 typewritten pages per problem.

(30 points.)

The project can be worked on as a team effort with other students who want to address the same specialization description. In other words, you may share research and discuss your findings, but, each student will write their own job description. (Include all duties) 2 pages.

(30 points)