FALL 2013
Join FAU’s distinguished Legal Assistant Certificate Program and prepare for a career that is projected by the Department of Labor to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2018.
FAU’s program was planned for you!
12 Intensive Courses in One Year!
• Evening classes 7:10-10:10 p.m.
• Full-time or part-time enrollment
• Courses taught by practicing attorneys
• Affiliation with staffing companies to assist with job placement
• Job postings emailed to Students and Graduates
• Member of National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
TRAINING THE BEST SINCE 1976!
For more information or to apply, call us at 1.800.228.5845 or visit our website at www.fau.edu/conted-pros.
Legal Assistant
What is a Legal Assistant?
A legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity to perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.
THE PROGRAM
12 Intensive Courses in One Year!
The program consists of 375 contact hours of legal education and is comprised of twelve courses. Attend classes three nights a week and complete the program in one year.
Introduction to Law is a prerequisite for all courses and is offered twice a year. You may register for this course before applying for admission to the program.
The tuition for the program is $3,660.00. Fees for each course are payable in full at the time of registration for each individual course.
ELECTIVES
Each year paralegals and students with special interests participate in elective courses from FAU’s Legal Assistant Program. These courses are not part of the core courses of the Legal Assistant Certificate Program and can be taken by anyone. Consider these courses if you want to sharpen your skills, develop new ones, or enhance your knowledge.
No application is required for elective classes. Just call 1.800.228.5845 to register. Paralegals will receive CEU’s to maintain CLA certification.
TRANSFER STUDENT INFORMATION
FAU welcomes transfer students and will evaluate and consider waivers of course work.
An official transcript from previous post-secondary educational training will be evaluated. Courses may be accepted, waiving certain requirements within our program.
TRANSCRIPTS INFORMATION
Official transcripts and a certificate from Florida Atlantic University will be provided upon completion of the program. (Additional transcripts can be issued at a cost of $5.00 per transcript).
Admissions Requirements
Completion of official application, along with a non-refundable $45 application fee, $120.00 LexisNexis fee, and a resume
The Legal Assistant Certificate Program is VA-approved.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
1. Complete application form
2. Attach $45 application fee
3. Attach $120.00 LexisNexis fee
4. Include resume.
For more information, call 561.297.3648 or 1.800.228.5845.
Visit FAU’s website at www.fau.edu or call 561.297.2020 for updates on campus operations due to hurricanes or other natural disasters.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
LA-1 Introduction to Law
Begin with an examination of the history of law from the earliest known legal decision to the present. Additional topics include: the two primary legal systems in modern society; American theories of jurisprudence; and the role of law in American society. American law is studied through a comparison of Florida and Federal courts, criminal and civil law, substantive and procedural law, and trial and appellate law. Several topics that are tested by the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Certified Legal Assistant Examination are studied.
If you decide to enroll in the Legal Assistant Certificate Program after completing this course, you will need to meet the admission requirements of the Program. LA-1 Introduction to Law is a prerequisite to all courses.
$185, 18 hrs., 1.8 CEUs
Option 1
3 Saturdays
July 27 – Aug 10
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
(1-hour lunch break)
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-1 0713-1
To register online
click here
Option 2
3 Mondays & 3 Wednesdays
July 29 – Aug 14
7:10 p.m.- 10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1-1 0713-2
To register online
click here
LA-2 Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Focus on (i) various ways to own property and the consequences of same at death; (ii) the manner in which assets pass by intestacy; (iii) powers of attorney and advance directives; (iv) “homestead” for ad valorem tax purposes, asset protection purposes and devise and descent purposes; (v) the manner of creating valid wills and amending and revoking same; (vi) changes in circumstances after execution of a will, including marriage, divorce and after born children; (vii) spouse’s elective share; (viii) grounds for contesting a will, including lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence; (ix) the purpose and use of revocable and irrevocable trusts; (x) constructive and resulting trusts; and (xi) federal gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and means of reducing tax liability through the use of life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts and family limited partnerships.
$380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs
15 Wednesdays
Aug 28 – Dec 11
(no class 9/4)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 2 0813
To register online click here
LA-3 Real Property Law
All phases of real estate practice are studied. Topics include: residential and commercial contracts; the process from listing a piece of property through closing; various forms of property ownership and restrictions; financing (types of mortgages); types of title insurance matters (liens vs. permitted acceptable items); construction-related matters (liens/notices required); types of deeds; taxation; homestead; loans; residential and commercial leases; eviction proceedings; foreclosure; litigation; and preparation of closing statements. The goal is to give you the knowledge to understand a basic residential contract, understand a title insurance commitment, prepare all documentation relating to closings, and the various issues involved in a real estate practice.
$380, 45 hrs., 4.5 CEUs
15 Mondays
Aug 26 – Dec 16
(no class 9/2 and 11/11)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 3 0813
To register online click here
LA-4 Civil Litigation
The primary focus is on civil litigation in Florida. Included are: sources of law, jurisdiction, venue, pleading requirements in civil actions, motion practice, third party practice, all aspects of discovery, trial preparation, trial procedure, post-trial motions and appeals, and post-judgment enforcement. The course will provide an understanding of civil litigation as it is practiced in Florida, with emphasis on practical aspects of litigation. In addition, you will learn how to prepare for a trial and how to assist the attorney in handling a civil matter from initial interview through trial.
$365, 42 hrs., 4.2 CEUs
14 Thursdays
Aug 29 – Dec 12
(no class 9/4 and 11/28)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1- 4 0813
To register online click here
LA-5 Contract Law
The broad application of contract law is kept in mind during the exploration of what makes some promises enforceable. Areas of discussion include: how the concepts of offer, acceptance and consideration are combined to create enforceable contracts; what happens when one or more elements is missing; and the performance and breach of contracts. You will be invited to apply your learning to real-world situations through discussions of contract disputes in the news, hypothetical situations based on current events and by drafting exercises that challenge you to create unambiguous provisions.
$285, 27 hrs., 2.7 CEUs
9 Wednesdays.
Jan 8 – March 12
(no class 3/5)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 5 0114
To register online click here
LA-6 Criminal Law
This course involves the study of both substantive and procedural criminal law. Substantive criminal law is introduced first by focusing on the criminal justice system itself. We then examine the elements of the various offenses and defenses. We conclude the first part of the class by studying factual, statutory, and constitutional defenses to crimes. The second part of the class focuses on criminal procedure. We study the constitutional aspects of search and seizure law, interrogation, pre-trial process and discovery, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
$325, 33 hrs., 3.3 CEUs
11 Thursdays
Jan 9 – March 27
(no class 3/6)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 6 0114
To register online click here
LA-7 Personal Injury
This course includes an in depth examination of the elements making up a cause of action based on negligence; the study of intentional torts such as assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, actions based on strict liability and product liability, as well as other aspects of personal injury. Topics of discussion include: the various documents used in personal injury cases (complaints, answers, affirmative defenses); discovery documents used in preparation for trial (interrogatories, requests to produce and requests for admission); and the use of other pre-trial and trial documents and exhibits and how they are used in personal injury actions. You will learn the fundamental elements of personal injury causes of action, settlement negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. The goal of the course is achieved through both the text and the use of actual case documents and experiences, with an emphasis on practical application.
$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs
10 Mondays
Jan 27 – Apr 7
(no class 3/3)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 7 0114
To register online click here
LA-8 Effective Legal Research
Students will become acquainted with the fundamentals of legal research and citation. Students will also learn to use and locate primary and secondary sources and will gain exposure to various resources of legal research.
NOTE: This course is a prerequisite to LA-9 Research Writing.
$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs
10 Wednesdays
March 19 – May 21
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 8 0314
To register online click here
LA-9 Research Writing
Research Writing is a continuation of Effective Legal Research and includes exercises in grammatical construction and legal writing. Students will become acquainted with the fundamentals of legal writing and learn to present legal analysis in a logical concise format. Prerequisite: Effective Legal Research.
$275, 24 hrs., 2.4 CEUs
8 Wednesdays
May 28 – July 16
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 9 0514
To register online click here
LA-10 Probate
You will be introduced to the principles of probate law in Florida. Topics for study include: the role of the attorney and personal representative, probate vs. non-probate assets, testate vs. intestate estates, creditor and beneficiary rights, accountings, probate litigation and federal estate taxes as well as trust administration. You will learn to administer an estate from beginning to end, including formal, summary and ancillary administrations, and you will be required to prepare pleadings after a study of the Florida probate code.
$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs
10 Thursdays
April 3 – June 5
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1- 10 0414
To register online click here
LA-11 Corporations
You will study sole proprietorship and general and limited partnerships, with a special emphasis on corporations. Topics include: corporate formation, articles of incorporation and by-laws, sub-chapter S, corporate financial structure, operation, meetings, dividends, distributions, employment, steps after formation, foreign corporations, and corporate taxation.
$310, 30 hrs., 3.0 CEUs
10 Mondays
Apr 21 – June 30
(no class 5/26)
7:10-10:10 p.m.
Boca Raton Campus
#LA1 – 11 0414
To register online click here
LA-12 Domestic Relations
Addresses the issues of family law in the U.S. Included topics are: valid marriages, annulments, divorce, property distribution, paternity, child custody, and support. Adoption may also be covered. Students will develop a working knowledge of the pleadings, motions, discovery involving, jurisdictional and venue issues relating to and involving family law.
