PLA2931 - LAST DISC

New Student Orientation

The Law Center Presents

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Law Center Staff

Ellis Keeter, Esq.

Director

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Staff – Full Time Faculty

James Spann, Jr.

Professor

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Welcome

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Orientation Overview • The Law Center and Accreditation • Paralegal Studies Program / Curriculum • Academic Integrity; UPL and Ethics • Continuing Education and Transfer Potential • Financial Aid • Job Opportunities and Career Outlook • MDC Student Services and Resources • Success Tips • Extra-Curricular Activities

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WHAT IS A PARALEGAL/ LEGAL ASSISTANT?

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The American Bar Association defines a paralegal or legal assistant as “a person qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental organization, or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.”

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PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Paralegals/legal assistants cannot engage in the actual practice of law by doing such activities as giving legal advice, setting fees, negotiating, or representing clients in court.

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A PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT MAY BE. . .

A freelance or independent paralegal: a nonlawyer who provides services to various law firms rather than working as an employee for one firm. The work performed by freelance or independent paralegals is delegated by attorneys and the attorneys at the various firms oversee the work and are responsible for the final work product. Freelance or independent paralegals do not provide legal services directly to the public.

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IN WHAT AREAS OF LAW DO PARALEGALS WORK?

Paralegals work in virtually all areas of law, including but not limited to the following: civil litigation, real estate, estate planning and probate, bankruptcy, family law, criminal law, corporate law, elder law, immigration law, administrative law, intellectual property, and employment law.

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WHERE DO PARALEGALS WORK?

Paralegals enjoy diverse employment opportunities. In addition to working in the traditional law firm environment, paralegals work in municipal, state and federal agencies. They also work in corporations with in-house counsel, insurance companies, lending institutions, mortgage companies, adoption agencies, and non-profit institutions. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, seven out of ten paralegals work for traditional law firms.

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WHAT TASKS DO PARALEGALS PERFORM? The duties attorneys delegate to paralegals vary greatly depending on the type of entity employer (law firm, government agency, corporation), its size, and the nature of its practice. Some of the more common duties paralegals perform are:

• helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings

• organizing and maintaining client files • drafting legal documents and legal correspondence • drafting pleadings and motions • monitoring deadlines • conducting factual research

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MORE PARALEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• conducting legal research • analyzing documents • assisting at depositions • assisting at trial • conducting litigation support • assisting with the preparation of tax returns,

establishing trust accounts, and planning of estates

• acting as liaison with clients and others

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Law Center and Accreditation

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• The Law Center is located at the Wolfson Campus, Suite 3506 (Building 3, 5th Floor)

• We offer the Paralegal Studies Associate in Science (AS), and Pre- Law Associate in Arts (AA).

• Our Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal Studies is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1988.

• We also meet the standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the American Association of Paralegal Education (AAPE).

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Paralegal Studies Program

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The Paralegal Studies Program is a 64-credit Associate of Science Degree (ABA Approved). The program consists of the following course requirements 43 credits of Paralegal Core Classes 3 credits of Legal Specialty Seminars 18 credits of General Education

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Curriculum (Group A)

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Mandatory Courses (Group A) are:

PLA 2003 Fundamentals of Law (Pre or Co-Req. ENC 1101)

PLA 2104 Legal Research

PLA 2114 Legal Writing

PLA 2203 Trial Preparation

**These courses must be taken in this exact order. No exceptions!

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Curriculum (Group C)

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Students can take courses from Group C while completing their Group A pre-requisites. The courses include:  BUL 2241 Business Law I  BUL 2242 Business Law II  REE 2040 Real Estate Principles, Practices, & Law

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Curriculum (Group B)

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Once you complete the mandatory Group A courses, you may take any/all of the Group B courses which include: PLA 2223 Trial Practice and Appeals PLA 2273 Torts PLA 2303 Criminal Law & Litigation PLA 2600 Wills, Trusts and Estates PLA 2763 Law Office Management PLA 2800 Family Law

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Curriculum (General Education - AS)

The General Ed Course Requirements for the AS degree include:

ENC 1101 English Composition I

ENC 1102 English Composition II

PHI 2604 Critical Thinking and Ethics

CLP 1006 Psychology of Personal Effectiveness

PSC 1515 Energy in the Natural Environment

SPC 1017 Fund. of Speech Communication

Students with a college degree (AA and above) may be exempt from taking the required 18 credits of General Education.

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Curriculum (General Education –MS Office)

CGS 1060C (Introduction to Microcomputers)

To prove computer competency, students must either take CGS 1060C or take the Computer Skills Placement (CSP) test. It is highly recommended to take CGS 1060C, as the course will teach students how to work with:

Word Processing

Database Management

Spreadsheets

PowerPoint

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Curriculum (General Education)

Curriculum (General Education)

College Level Math is not required for the A.S. degree. But any students placed in a College Prep Math course must register for that Math

course in order to register for Paralegal courses.

DON’T put off taking your College Prep Math courses! Enrollment in other courses can and will be restricted until all College Prep requirements

are met.

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Legal Specialty Seminars Students are required to complete three (3) credits/classes of legal seminars. These should be completed during the last year of the program:

Required Seminars: PLA 2931 Ethics PLA 2932 Computer Assisted Legal Research (CALR)

Optional Seminars (Choose One): PLA 2933 Real Estate Closing PLA 2934 Immigration Law PLA 2935 Intellectual Property Law

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Co-Op & Internship

Required Exit Level Courses:

PLA (Paralegal Practicum) and PLA 2932 (Paralegal Internship)

These courses can only be taken during the last term.

Minimum GPA of a 2.0. Both course are for independent study. Both courses require a detailed Portfolio. Students can only take one of the two courses.

Students must contact The Law Center in order to make an appointment to conduct your Exit Interview, to apply for graduation, and to register for either the Co-op or Internship.

Remember: The Co-Op and Internship can only be taken during your final semester in the program.

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Paralegal Practicum (Co-Op)

For students who already work full-time at a law

firm, corporation, or law- related government

agency.

Meets twice as a class (usually on a Saturday morning) during the

semester.

Perform paralegal tasks under the supervision of

an attorney.

Submit a portfolio of all required course materials to Prof. Cuevas at the end

of the term.  Course material provided at

initial meeting.  Student negotiates law-related

objectives with the employer.  Student prepares a detailed

portfolio to hand in at end of term.

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Paralegal Internship

For students who are not employed in a law-related job setting.

Work in a legal setting as an unpaid intern for 16 hours/week for 16 weeks during the Fall or Spring terms or 20 hours/week for 12

weeks during the Summer term.

Perform paralegal tasks under the supervision of an attorney.

Submit a portfolio of all required course materials to Prof. Cuevas at

the end of the term.

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Academic Integrity

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MDC Procedure 4035 on Academic Dishonesty Cheating on examinations:

Collaborating w/others in work to be presented;

Plagiarizing, including the submission of other’s ideas or papers as one’s own;

Submitting work previously presented in another course;

Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions.

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, Pages 20-22.

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UPL and Ethics

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UNLICENSED PRACTICE OF

LAW (UPL)

ABA MODEL GUIDELINES

NALA MODEL CODE

PENALTIES HTTP://WWW.FL ORIDABAR.ORG /NAMES.NSF/AF RP?OPENVIEW

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Continuing Education and Transfer Potential

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Complete your Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree while completing your Associate in Science (A.S.)

You only need six (6) additional classes to complete this goal.

Upper division programs available within the same discipline: Nova Southeastern (ABA approved), Florida Gulf Coast University (West coast; residential campus and on-line program of study), and Barry University.

Contact The Law Center via e-mail for more information.

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Additional General Ed Courses (for A.A. degree)

Additional Courses for AA

One (1) Humanities from Group B One (1) Social Science (AMH 2020, or POS 2041) One (1) Natural Science from Group A Two (2) College Level Math classes (plus MAT 1033, if you have not tested into a CLM). Recommended A.A. Courses: PHI 2010, BSC 1005, POS 2041, MAC 1105 and STA 2023.

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Financial Aid

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Fill out your FAFSA at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial Aid Academic Progress Only take credits required for your programs of study to help you remain under the maximum timeframe (150% rule)

Do not earn less than 67% of the credits registered

Do not let your GPA fall below 2.0!

For more information, visit: http://www.mdc.edu/financialaid

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Career Outlook

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ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE AVERAGE (MEAN) SALARY FOR A PARALEGAL IS

APPROXIMATELY $53,910 NATIONALLY.

ALTHOUGH ENTRY-LEVEL PARALEGALS AVERAGE ABOUT $31,130 IN SALARY, SENIOR PARALEGALS CAN EARN DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THIS FIGURE DEPENDING ON

THE CITY, SPECIALTY AREA AND SIZE OF THE FIRM WHERE THEY WORK.

FLORIDA HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST PARALEGAL EMPLOYMENT LEVEL IN THE UNITED STATES.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2017) http://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

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SALARY STATISTICS According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2017), the following are the annual mean salaries for paralegals in these

geographic areas:

Geographic Area Annual Mean Salary Mean Hourly Wage

Fort Lauderdale, Pompano, Deerfield

Beach

$50,550 $24.30

West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton

Beach

$49,180 $23.65

Miami, Miami Beach, Kendall

$51,270 $24.65

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Real Life – Job Opportunities • Salaries are dependent upon your education, experience,

firm and location. • ABA approval is important to firms. • MDC’s PSP provides a strong foundation. • Paralegal Certification exams also help.

• NALA (CLA/CP exams) • NFPA (PACE/RP certification) • Florida Registered Paralegal (through the Florida Bar)

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Advisement and Career Services

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS: We have a Bulletin Board with new postings in Room 3506 at Wolfson. We also have an e-mail listserv (e-mail must be kept current), as well as additional job postings on the Career Services website and MDC WORKS website.

ADVISEMENT & CAREER SERVICES: Individual appointments for resume building and transfer counseling. Email Armando Guzman your resume (not inside body) attachment in order to create an appointment to tweak your resume and mock interviews. [email protected]

MDC Student Resources MDConnect account

 Search for open classes

 View / Print your schedule

 Check your grades at the end of the term

 View the academic calendar

 Check the college catalog for course and program descriptions

 Update your home address, email address, etc.

 Request transcripts for universities

 You must have an email address to open an account

MyMDC.net Email

More online stuff – “Current Students” 5

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Always Register Early!

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How to Find Us Online

Visit us on the Web http://www.mdc.edu/paralegal

Look for us on Facebook (search for “MDC: The Law Center”) https://www.facebook.com/MDCLawCenter

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Extra-Curricular Activities • LEX National Paralegal Honor Society (LEX) • Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society

(PTK) • National Society for Leadership and

Success • Any MDC Club (i.e. LEX Club, SGA, SAPB) • YES! Club • Speaker Symposiums • Law School Visits • Mentorships

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LAMBDA EPSILON CHI (LEX) • Miami Dade College is an institutional member

of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE).

• Through AAfPE , it has a chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX), the National Paralegal Honor Society.

• The Program inducts members each year. To qualify, students must have completed 2/3 of the Program and have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a GPA in paralegal courses of 3.5 or higher.

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Society of Law & Community Service (S.L.C.S.)

LIKE us on Facebook. Simply search for:

MDC Society of Law & Community Service (SLCS)

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Student achievement is recognized and rewarded.

Honors’ Day Honoree with Prof. Spann

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WHAT IS A CERTIFIED PARALEGAL?

A certified paralegal or legal assistant is one who has passed a voluntary certification exam. These exams are administered through the two national paralegal associations: 1. the National Association of Legal

Assistants/Paralegals (NALA) and 2. The National Federation of Paralegal

Associations (NFPA)

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NALA AND THE CLA/CP EXAM NALA provides continuing education and development programs for paralegals/legal assistants. At its site (www.nala.org), one can find information about the paralegal career, NALA’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, continuing education courses, affiliated associations, and information regarding NALA’s certification examination.

Certification:

• The CLA/CP examination description: The CLA/CP exam is divided into five sections: 1) communications, 2) ethics, 3) legal research, 4) judgment and analytical ability, and 5) substantive law (the American Legal System, Civil Litigation, Contracts, and Business Organizations). Those passing this exam may use the CLA or CP designation after their names.

• Upon completion of MDC’s Paralegal Studies Program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the examination.

• Florida has the largest number of CPs in the country.

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NALA’S PUBLICATIONS

NALA Publication Cover

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NALA publishes study guides and review manuals to assist in preparing for the CLA/CP exam. It also publishes a regular periodical, Facts & Findings.

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NFPA AND ITS EXAMS NFPA, the first national paralegal association, offers two exams: 1. The Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE)

establishes that your education has prepared you for many types of paralegal work and helps you stand out from others whose schooling and experience are otherwise similar. Those who have passed the PCCE may display the CRP designation after their name.

2. The Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) is for those with not only a comprehensive education in paralegal studies but also years of practical experience. Those who have passed the PACE may display the RP designation after their name.

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NFPA’S PUBLICATIONS

NFPA’s Web site is: paralegals.org.

In addition to publishing study guides for its exams, the NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement and other materials, NFPA publishes a regular periodical, the National Paralegal Reporter.

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FLORIDA REGISTERED PARALEGAL PROGRAM

Although there is no state licensing of the paralegal profession in Florida, there is voluntary registration through The Florida Bar’s Florida Registered Paralegal Program. The Florida Registered Paralegal Program became effective March 1, 2008 and from the very start there has been a tremendous response to the program. A number of larger law firms in South Florida are requiring registration as a prerequisite for employment and others may soon follow suit.

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FRP DEFINITION The Florida Bar defines a Florida Registered Paralegal in the following manner:

 A Florida Registered Paralegal (FRP) is a person with education, training, or work experience, who works under the direction and supervision of a member of The Florida Bar and who performs specifically delegated substantive work for which a member of The Florida Bar is responsible and who has met the requirements of registration as set forth in Chapter 20 of the Rules

 Regulating The Florida Bar. A Florida Registered  Paralegal is not a member of The Florida Bar and  may not give legal advice or practice law. Florida  Registered Paralegal and FRP are trademarks of The

Florida Bar.

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HOW TO BECOME A FRP Rule 20-3.1 sets forth the requirements for registration. You must meet the qualifying criteria for one of the two following categories:

Education and work experience: This category combines degree requirements and paralegal work experience requirements. Students graduating with an A.S. in Paralegal Studies from MDC can qualify under this category once they have a minimum of two years of paralegal work experience. In addition to the application packet, those qualifying under this category must enclose evidence of their degree and the attorney attestation form included in the application. More than one attestation form may be necessary. All necessary forms should be submitted.

Certification: This category permits a person who has successfully passed a national certification exam offered by NALA or NFPA and who is in good standing with these respective associations to register. In addition to the application packet, those qualifying under this category must enclose a copy of their certificate as well as the attorney attestation form included in the application. You must be working as a paralegal, but there is no minimum length of time required.

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REQUIREMENTS ONCE YOU ARE A FRP • All Florida Registered Paralegals must comply with the continuing

education requirements set forth in Rule 20-6.1. This rule states that a Florida Registered Paralegal must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every three years, five hours of which must be in legal ethics or professionalism. Courses approved by The Florida Bar, NALA, or NFPA are acceptable to comply with this rule.

• Florida Registered Paralegals have access to all benefits currently available to members of The Florida Bar. A list of these benefits can be found at www.floridabar.org/memberbenefits.

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SOUTH FLORIDA PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION (SFPA) • Web site: www.sfpa.info • The South Florida Paralegal Association (SFPA) is an affiliate of NALA

and NFPA. • According to the SFPA Web site: “The primary aim of SFPA is to

enhance the competence and to strive for the acceptance and effective use of professional paralegals in the South Florida area. To help achieve these goals, SFPA’s programs and meetings are geared toward the continuing education of its members.”

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Tips for Success

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Study like a professional; treat school like a job.

With study buddies, you can have fun and succeed.

Invest the time; make sacrifices.

Listen to your professors.

Go to class and do your homework.

A legal education teaches transferable skills that are valuable in any job, including reading, writing and critical thinking.