The following nine courses are required for all students in the Paralegal Program.  Below each course's brief summary, you may find a link to a SAMPLE syllabus for that course. Actual course syllabi and instructors may be subject to change.

25000 INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW
Overview of governmental organization (including Michigan and federal court systems) and sources of law (including statutory law, common law and administrative law). Includes an introduction to various specific substantive law and procedural law topics and some basic legal vocabulary. 

Sample Syllabus #CEPL25000 


25060 SUBSTANTIVE LAW – CONTRACTS
Provides a comprehensive view of those major areas of contract law likely to be encountered by the paralegal; the formation, modification, assignment, interpretation, enforcement and breach of contracts; and U.C.C./-Sales. The remedies for breach of contract and discharge of contract are discussed. Students read and brief cases. 

Sample Syllabus #CEPL25060


25070 SUBSTANTIVE LAW – TORTS
A study of basic law relating to the civil wrong as applied to personal and property damage. Topics studied include intentional torts, negligence and defenses to negligence, strict liability, products liability, nuisance, liability of owners and occupiers of land, defamation, invasion of privacy, fraud, interference with contractual relations and torts in the family. Includes discussion of property law. 

Sample Syllabus #CEPL25070


25100 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING I
Provides knowledge of primary and secondary legal resources: statutes, annotated law reports, statutory indexes, court reports, court rules, digests, treatises, legal encyclopedias, the Index to legal Periodical, Words and Phrases, Shepard’s Citations, restatements and related law finders. Students prepare a legal memorandum, emphasizing analysis of a fact situation, organization and use of plain English. Extensive use of the law library is involved. Assignment deadline is post-term. Prerequisites: 2506 Substantive Law – Contracts and 2507 Substantive Law – Torts. 

Sample Syllabus #CEPL25100


25110 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING II
A sequel to Research and Writing I dealing with specialized legal research including federal law. Students complete a summary judgment based on research. Extensive use of the law library is required. Prerequisite: 2510 Legal Research and Writing I. 

Sample Syllabus CEPL25110

25160 ETHICS AND LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT – WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ETHICS AND THE PARALEGAL?
Law Practice Management is designed to give students a comprehensive view of law office administration; focusing on the structure of firms/corporate legal departments, use of technology in administering a law office and the various administrative and support roles performed by lawyers and non-lawyers in a law office setting. 

Sample Syllabus for CEPL25160


25400 LITIGATION I: CASE PREPARATION BEFORE TRIAL
Detailed study of pretrial case preparation: alternate dispute resolution; review of court structure; causes of action; gathering and organization of materials; legal investigation; client interviewing; complaint, answer and affirmative defenses; and introduction to motions. 

Syllabus #CEPL25400

25410 LITIGATION II: CASE PREPARATION BEFORE TRIAL
A continuation of Litigation I emphasizing motions, discovery and investigation, interrogatories, depositions, mediation, expert witnesses and preparation for trial. Prerequisite: 2540 Litigation I 

Important Course Information for CALR

Specialty Courses 

In addition to taking core courses, students may select three (3) legal specialty courses according to personal interest, course scheduling or employment goals.  It is recommended that students complete one semester of study prior to selecting specialty courses. (Contact the program director regarding exceptions to the prerequisites.)


25210 CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
Every person arrested in the United States is entitled to certain constitutional protections and due process under the law. These protections and the criminal justice process in Michigan are examined: investigation; arrest, detention, and booking; obtaining a warrant, preliminary examination, and bind over; arraignment and pretrial motions; trial procedures, plea negotiations, and sentencing; post-trial motions and procedures; appeal; extradition; and double jeopardy. 

Syllabus #CEPL25210


25300 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
A study of various forms of business organizations, including the sole proprietorship, several types of partnerships, the limited liability company and the different types of corporations. The course will focus on documents required to start, govern and terminate the existence of each form of business. Students will prepare a representative sample of these documents. 

Syllabus #CEPL25300


25310 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
Provides an understanding of and experience with drafting, negotiating, and managing various types of contracts encountered in a business environment. Students will prepare and negotiate non-disclosure agreements, license agreements and alliance agreements. Students will also gain an understanding of how to track responsibilities and obligations under contracts. 

Syllabus #CEPL25310

25350 IMMIGRATION LAW
To provide an understanding of the basic structure of immigration law, practice, and procedure.  Students will learn to analyze fact patterns, identify potential immigration benefits available under current law, and prepare and file the appropriate petitions and applications

Syllabus #CEPL25320

25350 EMPLOYMENT LAW
Course covers areas of the law that deal with the employment relationship (hiring; wages, hours, and benefits; working conditions; termination) and includes discrimination and other matters addressed by legislation. 

Syllabus #CEPL25350


25470 LITIGATION III: ANATOMY OF A LAWSUIT
Working with an actual case, students prepare the documents for each step of a civil suit. Emphasis will be on real-world considerations: managing clients and witnesses, investigating creatively, locating expert witnesses and identifying resources for trial exhibit preparation. Post judgment and appellate procedures and documents are covered. Prerequisite: 2541 Litigation II. 

Syllabus #CEPL25470


25500 PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
An examination of substantive, procedural and practical aspects of probate practice under EPIC (Michigan's Estate and Protected Individuals Code). The course focuses on petitions to commence Informal, Formal and Supervised probate proceedings, including preparation of inventory and accountings, the claims process, sale and distribution of assets and closing of the estate. 

Syllabus #CEPL25500


25510 PROBATE ADMINISTRATION II
An examination of substantive, procedural and practical aspects of probate practice under EPIC (Michigan's Estate and Protected Individuals Code.) The course focuses on pleadings to commence and administer Guardianship and Conservatorship proceedings for minors, adults and developmentally disabled individuals as well as pre and post death Trust Administration. Prerequisite: NONE

25680 ESTATE PLANNING AND DOCUMENTS

Overview of principles relating to the control and disposition of property inter vivos and after death. Includes discussion of wills, intestate succession, trusts, future interests, disability planning and living wills. Fundamental income, gift, estate and inheritance tax and probate considerations are introduced as part of the estate planning process. Students draft several representative documents.

Syllabus #CEPL25680

25760 PATENT, COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK LAW
Covers the basics of patent, copyright, and trademark law. Qualifies enrollees to prepare and file state and federal trademark applications and applications to register copyrights. 

Syllabus #CEPL25760


25780 AUTO ACCIDENT LAW AND CASES
Provides a basic understanding of no-fault concepts, auto insurance, and terminology. Students learn how to prepare an auto accident case: identification of who can be sued; what benefits and damages are collectible; first and third party cases; case work-up; medical and settlement statements; and duties at trial. 

Syllabus #CEPL25780


25790 FAMILY LAW
Review of substantive law related to dissolution of marriage, separation , annulment, guardianship and adoption, including: preparation of papers for preliminary and emergency relief; jurisdiction and service of process; preparation of cases for trial; supervision of case progress; drafting of property settlements and tracing of assets; tax consequences of support; and division of property. 

Syllabus #CEPL25790


Final Core Course: INTERNSHIP

25990 INTERNSHIP*
A one hour orientation to the 80 hour internship. Effective resume writing and job hunting skills are also discussed. This course is completed after all core courses and electives have also been completed.

*A required course. The program director will arrange for or assist the legal experience field work after all program coursework has been completed. 


Computer-based Office Skills Workshop Certification 

The Basic Office Skills course can help you learn the skills needed in today's basic professional settings, and will validate your knowledge for prospective employers. This course uses a lecture format and a hands-on and in-class project approach to introduce Word, Excel and Access computer skills to all interested participants, no matter your skill level, or your school or community affiliation.

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