Course Descriptions

LAW 256 - Criminal Law and Procedure

2 Credit

This course introduces students to criminal law and procedure, including an overview of the criminal justice system, basic principles of criminal law, types of offenses, legal defenses, discovery and disclosure, pretrial motions and plea bargaining, the trial, sentencing, and appeals. Students will learn how to prepare various pleadings and documents and the role of the paralegal in criminal law cases.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of LAW 101 or PLS 260 with a C or higher, or permission of program director. LAW 101 or PLS 260 can be taken concurrently.

LAW 263 - Contract Law

2 Credit

Provides students with the basic theory of contract law, sample contracts from a variety of specialized practice areas, supplemental cases, and the opportunity to draft simple contracts. Included in the course are the basic contract requirements, contract provisions in selected specialized practice areas, the Statute of Frauds, and the Uniform Commercial Code. Students learn key contract terms, sample clauses, perform exercises, draft simple contracts, and conduct case analysis.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

LAW 266 - Legal Research and Writing

3 Credits

Students develop legal research and analysis strategies through lecture, library exercises, and computerized research. Understanding the structure of the sources of law and utilizing critical thinking skills equip students to undertake legal research systematically. Students use software and federal and New York State law books consisting of substantive and procedural documents, digests, reporters, statutes, rules and regulations of administrative agencies, and the Internet to research databases and communicate with others. Writing exercises involve analyzing, summarizing, and synthesizing research in a clear, concise, accurate and timely manner based upon the procedural requirements of the law.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

LAW 267 - Civil Litigation

3 Credits

Provides students with the knowledge, skills and practice performing the duties of the litigation paralegal. Through the use of case simulations, students learn to gather, review, index and summarize documents, and to work with the lawyer and legal secretary to manage case files through pretrial, trial and post-trial stages. Guided by federal and New York State procedural laws, and rules and regulations of New York and local court rules, students learn to draft common litigation correspondence, notices and legal documents. These include summons, complaints, answers, motions, affidavits, subpoena, discovery documents, and orders. Students are introduced to the tools used in litigation: manual and computer-based document control systems, deposition exhibitions cross-reference mechanisms, trial notebook categories, trial witness coordinating forms, and trial exhibits tracking forms. Litigation tasks in this course form the foundation for paralegal litigation responsibilities in family law, real estate, debtor/creditor law, criminal law, and personal injury law. Also introduced in this course are automated litigation support systems and an overview of the potential areas for paralegal participation on document production.

Prerequisite(s) Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Civic Discourse Competency

LAW 270 - Bankruptcy Law

2 Credit

This course will introduce students to bankruptcy law and the application of legal procedures in bankruptcy. Students will learn about jurisdiction; the cast of characters and their roles in bankruptcy; key terminology; sources of bankruptcy law; the various bankruptcy chapters under U.S. Code: Title 11; the different types of bankruptcy case filings, including: Chapter 7, Chapter 9, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13; how to conduct a client interview; how to evaluate bankruptcy options for clients; the initial case filing documentation; the automatic stay; discharge; conversion; dismissal; voidable transfers; and how to diagram a Chapter 7 case from beginning to end. Students will learn to draft a complete Chapter 7 petition under the supervision of an attorney. Students will also learn about the paralegal’s role in bankruptcy practice and how to formulate a Chapter 13 plan

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

LAW 271 - Corporation Law

2 Credit

Introduces students to corporate law and the formation, operation, and dissolution of various kinds of business organizations. Subjects include the law of agency, sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, franchises, and topics related to publicly traded companies.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

LAW 272 - Real Estate Law

2 Credit

Introduces students to real estate law and practice. Topics of study include: property rights, principles of land ownership, sale, financing and conveyance, contracts, mortgage loans, mortgages, deeds, recording, settlement concepts, condominiums, leasing, landlord/tenant summary proceedings, and other property concepts. Students focus on managing multiple participant relationships, and opening, controlling, and closing the real estate file. Emphasis on the law regarding, and performing selected tasks and responsibilities listed in the "MCC's Survey Results for Paralegal Competency Expectations" in the specialized practice area of real estate under the supervision of an attorney.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

LAW 274 - Estate Planning and Probate

3 Credits

Introduces students to the concepts and forms necessary for estate planning and estate and trust administration. Students learn to assist the attorney with a variety of tasks, from opening the estate and appointment of a fiduciary to filing of final account and distribution of assets. Forms, checklists, and deadlines for Federal and New York income, estate, and gift taxation laws and regulations are emphasized. Probate practice is an important area of employability of paralegals. A basic foundation in New York Estates, Powers, and Trusts Law, Uniform Court Rules, and the procedures and forms used in Surrogate's Court Practice will increase a paralegal's value to the firm.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.