PLA 2201 - Civil Law and Procedure

College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2022 (610)

Requisites

Pre- or Co-requisite PLA 1003 with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare the legal assistant to assist the trial attorney in preparing for civil litigation, trial, alternative dispute resolution methods, and post-trial proceedings in the Florida and Federal courts. The course covers substantive civil law, the Florida and Federal Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure and related matters including drafting of pleadings, preparing discovery documents, drafting motions, drafting settlement proposals, preparation of a trial brief, abstracting of depositions, trial procedure, and appellate jurisdiction.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will explain the basic principles of a civil lawsuit in the pre-trial stages by:
    1. differentiating between a variety of civil and criminal causes of action.
    2. describing the basic principles of substantive law of negligence, products liability and other tort and contract theories.
  2. The student will apply the Florida Statutes, United States Code and the Florida and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to pleading and discovery by:
    1. illustrating statutes of limitation, jurisdiction over the subject matter and venue in sample Florida and Federal cases.
    2. drafting complaints and explaining how service of process and e-filing may be effected in the sample Florida and Federal cases.
    3. drafting an answer in proper form for Florida and Federal jurisdictions.
    4. preparing cross-claims, counter-claims and assorted pre-trial motions for Florida and Federal court.
    5. drafting the discovery tools of interrogatories, subpoenas and notices for deposition, subpoenas duces tecum, requests for physical examination and requests for production and dealing with electronic discovery.
  3. The student will model civil trial procedures in Florida and Federal courts by:
    1. conducting a client interview using proper procedures.
    2. conducting a mock interview using proper procedures.
    3. arranging a mock deposition including securing court reporters, preparing witnesses, assembling exhibits and preparing questions.
    4. preparing demonstrative aid for opening, closing, and witness support.
    5. preparing trial motions and proposed orders with memoranda in support.
    6. preparing proposed voir dire and jury instructions.
    7. preparing proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
  4. The student will explain alternative dispute resolution measures by:
    1. defining the role of mediation.
    2. describing methods of preparing for mediation.
    3. defining the role of arbitration.
    4. describing methods of preparing for arbitration.
  5. The student will demonstrate settlement procedures by:
    1. assembling information for settlement evaluation.
    2. preparing a settlement brochure.
    3. drafting settlement documents including agreements, stipulations, and dismissals.
  6. The student will illustrate application of the Florida and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure by:
    1. preparing a state Notice of Appeal.
    2. preparing a federal Notice of Appeal.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 09/05/2019, BOT Approval: 09/24/2019, Effective Term: Spring 2020 (570).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2022 (610)

Related Programs

  1. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-CT) (580) (Active)
  2. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-AS) (640) (Active)