LEGAL 200    Introduction to Law and the Legal Process-CD (5 Credits)

The nature of legal institutions and processes; the American and Washington judicial systems, sources of law and federal and state court systems; legal reasoning; ethics applicable to lawyers and paralegals.

LEGAL 205    Civil Procedure (5 Credits)

Study of procedure in civil actions in state trial and appellate courts from commencement to final resolution. Consideration is given to the integration of the skills of the paralegal at all levels of the process.

LEGAL 210    Legal Research (5 Credits)

Introduction to traditional and computer-assisted legal research tools through library and drafting assignments designed to develop skills in effectively using legal resources and communicating the results of the research.
Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or placement in ENGL 105 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 215    Administrative Law (5 Credits)

Study of administrative agencies, federal and state administrative law procedures, acts, constitutional limitations and judicial review.

LEGAL 220    Real Estate and Property Law (5 Credits)

The law of real property; common types of real estate transactions and conveyances such as deeds, contracts, leases and deeds of trust; personal property law; the system of recording and search of public documents.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 222    Alternative Dispute Resolution (5 Credits)

An overview of the major statutes and court rules, and training in the procedures for resolving disputes outside of the litigation process through arbitration, mediation and other alternate dispute resolution mechanisms.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 224    Medical Paralegal Law (5 Credits)

Substantive law and procedures for the medical paralegal, including medical record and case analysis; investigation, discovery and trial preparation; ethics; standard of care; legal and factual research regarding medical issues; life care planning and estimating damages.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 225    Litigation Practice and Procedure (5 Credits)

Study of the civil litigation process and trial preparation. Each step of the litigation process is examined and emphasis is placed on the integration of the skills necessary for a paralegal at each level of the process.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 and 205 or instructor's permission. Registration by entry code only; obtain code from department advisor.

LEGAL 226    Torts - Personal Injuries and Liability (5 Credits)

Study of the law of torts (civil wrongs and liabilities) with emphasis on causes of action for personal injury, negligence, intentional torts and professional malpractice. Defenses and computation of damages also covered.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 228    Law Office Technology (5 Credits)

Law office computer techniques, data retrieval systems and other technological advances in the legal field will be presented as well as a critical analysis of law office technology vis-a-vis traditional methods.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 229    Introduction to Law Office Management (5 Credits)

Examination of the nature, organization and function of a law office. Operational techniques for paralegals on a management level as they apply to billing and collections, work flow systems, technology and personnel management.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 230    Interviewing and Investigation Techniques (5 Credits)

Practical clinic in methods of investigation; using investigative experts; obtaining public and private information; problems of interviewing clients and witnesses; procedures for obtaining statements and photographs. Students conduct practice interview.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 235    Probate Practice and Procedures (5 Credits)

Covers substantive and procedural law necessary to probate decedents' estates. Includes administration of estates passing by will and by interstate succession. Special emphasis is placed on the skills necessary for a paralegal to practice in this area.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 237    Estate Planning (5 Credits)

Study of estate planning tools including wills, trusts, durable power of attorney, community property agreements and healthcare directives, and principle of law that apply to each. Study of applicable state and federal tax laws. Emphasis placed on drafting documents.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 240    Contracts (5 Credits)

Principles of the law of contract: nature of contracts, consideration, capacity, legality, performance and breach, sales, agency, government regulation, and property.

LEGAL 245    Commercial Transactions (5 Credits)

Study of the Uniform Commercial Code with emphasis on Articles 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, and 9.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 240 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 247    Intellectual Property (5 Credits)

Covers the legal principles and rules regarding the law of patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Emphasis is placed on the skills required of paralegals who practice in this area.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 250    Family Law (5 Credits)

Laws and procedures that relate to the formation and dissolution of marriage; nonmarital families; domestic violence; formation and termination of the parent-child relationship; and juvenile offenders.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 254    Environmental Law (5 Credits)

History of environmental law with emphasis placed on the inter- relationships between federal, state and local environmental regulations and requirements.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 260    Corporations, LLCs and Partnerships (5 Credits)

Survey of the law, procedures and documents involved in the organization, operation and dissolution of business entities, with emphasis on corporations, limited liability companies, general limited liability, and limited partnerships.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 263    Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights (5 Credits)

Study of the federal Bankruptcy Act including procedural steps involved in bankruptcy proceedings and wage earner plans; collection of claims and creditors' rights including enforcement of judgments and pre- and post-judgment remedies.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 265    Consumer Protection (5 Credits)

Common law, statutes and the resulting rights and remedies of the consumer are examined on the federal, state and local level. Emphasis on analysis of the law and familiarity with terminology specific to consumer protection areas.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 267    Employment Law (5 Credits)

Covers state and federal law regarding pre-employment, employment, civil rights, employee and employer rights and affirmative action issues; working conditions, wages, health and safety standards; labor issues; employee liability; termination of employment; unemployment rights; and pension rights.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 270    Compensation Law (5 Credits)

History of employee protection; administrative, legislative and judicial status of state and federal law regarding safety; industrial insurance. Longshoremen and Harborworkers Act, Worker's Compensation Act; applicable pension statutes and other remedies.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 275    Criminal Law (5 Credits)

Examination of our federal and state criminal justice systems including statutory and case law. Emphasis placed upon the constitutional rights of defendants guaranteed by federal and state constitutions.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 285    Labor Law (5 Credits)

Survey of the field of labor relations law in private and state and federal public sector employment, including: procedures of the NLRB, the FLRA and Washington's PERC; certification of collective bargaining representatives and units; unfair labor practices; grievance processing and ADR.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 200 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 291    Legal Internship (1-5 Credits)

Receive on-the-job experience as a paralegal intern. Earn one credit for every 30 hours of work. Students should set up internship and pick up internship forms before quarter begins. Class meets twice during quarter; must attend both classes to receive credit. S/U grade only.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 297 or instructor's permission. Registration by entry code only; obtain code from instructor.

LEGAL 295    Advanced Legal Research (5 Credits)

Continuation of LEGAL 210, focus on developing advanced legal analysis and writing skills and computer technology skills using the Internet and WESTLAW.
Prerequisite: LEGAL 210 or instructor's permission.

LEGAL 296    Legal Seminars (3 Credits)

Topics in specialized or rapidly changing areas of the law. Offered to enhance established program curriculum as well as provide continuing legal education to paralegals. S/U grade only.

LEGAL 297    Job Placement Seminar (1 Credit)

Earn legal specialty credit by attending job placement seminar which covers resume and cover letter writing; interviewing techniques; internships and opportunities for employment in legal specialty practice areas. S/U grade only. Must attend both sessions to receive credit.

LEGAL 299    Special Projects (1-5 Credits)

Individual projects in legal study designed to give exposure to practical problems in areas of particular interest to the student. Credit available with approval. S/U grade only.
Prerequisite: Permission of department head and project approval of the dean.