FEATURES

• A total of 84 hours of instruction in a classroom of your peers.
• Upon successful completion of the program you will receive a Certificate of Completion from George Mason University.
• Research can be done at George Mason University's law library in Arlington.
• This program will help students increase their office's efficiency, productivity, and billable hours as well as learn new marketable job skills.
• Students with at least a 95% average at the completion of the program may be assisted in obtaining volunteer internships in their communities. Internship assistance is coordinated through the Center for Legal Studies and based on availability and location.

TOPICS HIGHLIGHTS

Legal Terminology, Documents and the Litigation Process

The first session focuses on the history of American jurisprudence, the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of litigation. Discussion will cover pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures. You will learn how to prepare a complaint, answer, third party complaint, and motion for summary judgment.

Introduction to the Evidentiary Predicate

During this session we will review the rules of evidence and civil procedure as well as basic interviewing and investigation techniques and the development and use of demonstrative evidence. You will prepare discovery matter such as interrogatories, requests for admissions, and requests for production of documents.

Identifying Relevant Authority

Throughout this session you will learn how to identify relevant law and determine the differences between primary, secondary, and mandatory persuasive authority, compared to hypothetical situations.

Introduction to Legal Research

During this session you will learn research techniques for use in legal memoranda, motions, and briefs. A concise approach to legal research and the West Key Number System will be discussed.

Legal Research Practice

Legal research skill will be reviewed with emphasis on shepardizing statutory and case law and an introduction to computerized legal search terminals. Numerous research assignments will be given, discussed and critiqued.

Legal Writing and Appellate Procedure

This session will concentrate on the preparation and critique of legal memoranda, including an interoffice memorandum of law and appellate brief. Principles of appellate procedure will also be reviewed. Proper citation format will be covered along with a discussion of job hunting techniques and job leads for those seeking their first employment as paralegals.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Completion of the Certificate Program

• Students will be expected to complete a significant amount of homework for each session.
• Students must successfully complete and pass all course requirements to be awarded a certificate.
• To receive a certificate, students must pass six quizzes and successfully complete five legal document-writing assignments. (Assignments include, but are not limited to, create interoffice memo, prepare a cover and resume for instructor critique, draft a motion and prepare an answer to a complaint served to you by a fellow classmate.)

Textbooks – not included in course registration fee. Please visit http://www.ocpe.gmu.edu/new_forms/paralegal_textbooks.pdf for more information.

Westlaw - legal research access – fee not included in course registration. Please call the Center for Legal Studies at 1-800-522-7737 for information and Westlaw pricing.

INSTRUCTOR

Steven Traubert BA from the University of Notre Dame, is a doctor of jurisprudence from West Virginia University College of Law. Steven is an associate attorney at Jay Tronfeld & Associates in Richmond, Virginia. He currently teaches Paralegal Studies at George Mason University and Longwood College and is Adjunct Faculty in Business Law at Southside Virginia Community College. Steven is a member of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, the American Bar Association & Trial Lawyers Division, the Virginia Consumer Law Task Force and the Virginia Domestic Relations Task Force.

• Excellent instructor; relates material extremely well. –Spring 2008 student
• Mr. Traubert brought the practice of law into the class room!! –Spring 2008 student
• Steve Traubert is an excellent and fair professor. His experience and wealth of knowledge was invaluable to the class. Steve knows the material and did an excellent job of teaching our class. He is very approachable and kept me interested in class. I am thrilled that he was able to keep me involved and he made me want to do well in this class and in my job search. –Spring 2008 student
• Kept interest high and was fair in dealing with students. -Fall 2007 student
• The instructor was interesting, knowledgeable and enjoyable! He showed an interest in all of our work, studies, etc. He is excellent at making this course a worthwhile experience. -Spring 2007 student
• Mr. Traubert has a way of explaining that breaks down a problem or issue so that it can be easily understood. -Spring 2007 student