This dynamic course is designed for legal professionals interested in improving their skills and knowledge of commonly used computer technology and programs within the law office. Course topics include: computer operating systems and peripheral devices; time tracking and billing software; database, case management and docket control software; litigation support software; electronic discovery, and trial presentation and graphics software.

Hands on exercises will prepare students to work with popular programs such as MS PowerPoint, Practice Master’s Tabs 3, AbacusLaw, Summation iBlaze, Trial Director and LexisNexis Casemap & TimeMap, as well as understand the common functions and purposes of similar programs.

Common billing procedures and payment agreements, accurate time tracking, proper calendar and docketing procedures as well as the processes involved in electronic discovery will be addressed through a variety of exercises. In addition, students will be presented with real-life scenarios and asked to identify and examine ethical issues raised by the use of technology in a legal practice.

Expectations

This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend approximately 9 hours per lesson reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of at least 50 clock hours of study. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.

Required textbooks for this course:

• Using Computers in the Law Office, 6th Edition, with Student Workbook and CourseMate by Matthew S. Cornick, ISBN: 978-1-1331-5837-0

Texts may be purchased from The Center for Legal Studies Online Store and are sold in sets only.

For more information, call The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737, or visit our Online Store to order.

Highly Recommended Legal Resources:

• Oran’s Dictionary of the Law, 4th Edition, by Daniel Oran. Clifton Park: Delmar Cengage Learning

Ethics Assignments:

For each lesson you will submit a short answer/essay assignment covering ethical considerations for that lesson’s reading. Ethics accounts for 20% of your final grade.

Quizzes:

You will complete 6 quizzes. Quizzes account for 40% of your grade and are comprised of true/false, multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.

Hands-on Exercises:

You will complete various hand-ons exercises for each lesson. The activities involve research, synthesis, application, and demonstration of competency of use for the various software featured. Hands-on Exercises account for 30% of your grade and are comprised of true/false, multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.

Bulletin Board Assignments:

You will also post your responses to five class participation assignments.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

Your grade will be based on your completion of six ethics writing assignment assignments, six quizzes, hands-on exercises, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting ‘Assignments’ under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in “class participation” by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six ethics assignments comprise 20% of your grade.
• The six quizzes comprise 40% of your grade.
• The hands on exercises are worth 30% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.