Course Description

Course Title:	Legal Writing and Analysis
Course Number:	PA 2222
Credits:	3 semester credits
Prerequisites:	PA 1102 - Introduction to Law and Contracts, and PA 2220 Legal Research
Recommendations:	A student must have the Introduction to Law and Contracts AND the Legal Research classes completed before taking this course.
Catalog Description:	Provides the student with experience in the development of analytical writing skills in the preparation of case and trial briefs, legal memoranda, investigative summaries, and general legal correspondence.
Outcomes:	Students will be able to: Conduct legal analysis, use good grammatical and legal vocabulary, and understand the unique form and style of writing required in the legal field through the preparation of legal documents, memoranda, letters and/or briefs. Interpret and analyze basic court opinions, and understand the legal system and its terminology. Identify and illustrate parties, theories, key facts and issues in a legal case. Cite legal research in legal writing. Draft and rewrite letters, memoranda and other selected documents. Create, organize and evaluate legal documents, memoranda, letters, and briefs through one-on-one analysis and evaluation from the paralegal faculty. Recall, interpret and analyze the basic rules of legal professional responsibility, ethics and confidentiality as it relates to legal writing.
Topics Covered:	Introduction (1 hour) Grammar Review (2 hours) Citation System Review (1 hour) Legal Research Review (2 hours) Analysis of Cases and Statutes (6 hours) Opinion Letter (7 hours) Office Memorandum (7 hours) Memorandum for the Court (15 hours) Appellate Briefs (3 hours) Legal Drafting (3 hours) Ethics (1 hour) Total Semester Hours: 48.0
Course Objectives:	To provide the student with experience in the development of analytical writing skills through the preparation of legal documents, memoranda, letters, and briefs.
Outcomes Measures:	The student may be graded on some or all of the following criteria: sample letters, documents, memoranda, briefs, quizzes, and/or exam(s). The student may also apply the controlling law on issue(s) to specific facts in a case problem to arrive at well-supported legal conclusion(s). Also, attendance and participation in classroom discussion may be critical. The final grade will be a full letter grade A-F.

< back