This document provides the syllabus for a paralegal computer skills course. It outlines the schedule, assignments, grading criteria, and required materials. The course will cover Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and legal research tools like Lexis. Students will complete assignments such as a legal pleading, deposition summary, time sheet, and citing exercise. Class meets on Fridays and attendance is required, with exceptions made for two absences. Late assignments will be accepted by email. The course aims to teach practical computer skills for legal professionals from a hands-on perspective.

1. University of San Diego: Paralegal Program
Computer Practice Skills: Section 1
Day 2009
Instructor: Emily Lynch Morissette, Esq.
ELMorissette@cox.net
Schedule: Fridays 1:30-4:30 p.m. (More detailed Course Calendar below)
Location: Barcelona 221
Required Text: Roper, Brent D., Using Computers in the Law Office (Fifth Edition)
New York: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2008.
Required Materials: You need to bring your own CDs, DVDs, or USB drive with you to
class. You are responsible for saving your work. The D: drive in
the computer lab is periodically wiped clean, so do not save to your
in-class computer.
In addition, once you receive your Lexis password, you are expected
to bring it to each class.
Print out Appendix B (the deposition, found on one of your
disks in the back of your book) and bring it to the first class.
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide a practical, hands-on
overview of the different computer programs you will be using in your future careers.
While we will be covering a number of Microsoft programs, we will try to cover them from
a legal standpoint as much as possible.
Computers Class Rules:
Computer skills are essential to your career as a paralegal. This class is designed around a
student with general computer proficiency, including word processing, saving to a thumb
drive and cd, mouse and keyboard operations, and the ability to use the internet and remote
access email. This class assumes that you have these capabilities. If you do not, you will
need to acquire these capabilities on your own in order to pass the course.
Be respectful of yourself, your classmates, and the professor.
“Men are respectable only as they respect.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you come in late, do not interrupt class. Wait until the break to notify the professor that
you are in class and that you need any handouts or assignments back.
While it is acceptable to occasionally aid each other on the computers when not working on
an assignment or the exam, use a voice level that will not disturb the professor or your
fellow classmates.
Report all computer problems to the professor with the workstation number and nature of
the problem so that arrangements for repairs can be made.
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2. Cellular phones must be turned off and all food and drink should be eaten outside class.
Each turned-in assignment and the exam must be your own work and must be completed
independently of other students in the course. If it is obvious that an assignment has been
copied or plagiarized a zero score will be given for that assignment, and the incident will
be referred to the administration for further action.
Attendance: Role is taken at the beginning of class. If you come in after the start of class,
you are responsible for notifying the professor at the break. You are allowed two absences
in this class.
Time Assignments Due: Assignments should be turned in shortly before class starts on
the applicable due date. If you must miss class, turn in any assigned work to the instructor,
via email, by the beginning of class on the date the assignment is due.
Office Hours: I usually arrive early to class and stay a little after class. In addition, email
is normally a good way to reach me.
Assignment Format: We will discuss the format for each assignment in class. You
should follow the format discussed in class.
Grading: The majority of law firms are looking for accuracy, not only in content, but also
in grammar. Therefore, grammar (including spelling and punctuation) will count for 20%
of your grade in the Notice of Deposition, deposition summary, and Lexis assignment. The
remainder of your score on those assignments will be based upon content (the majority)
and formatting.
The following points are possible in this class:
Notice of Deposition (must be typed) 10 points
Deposition Summary (must be typed) 10 points
Internet Assignment (in-class) 5 points
Lexis Assignment 15 points
Time Sheet (must be typed) 10 points
Power Point Presentation (must be typed) 10 points
Final (typed & handwritten portions) 40 points
TOTAL 100 Points
Course Calendar:
No. Date Reading Due Dates
1 1/30/09 Print out Appendix B (the deposition, found on one of
your disks in the back of your book) and bring it to the
first class.
Roper Chapter 3: Word Processing
Review of word processing fundamentals; word processing in the
legal environment; formatting of legal documents, correspondence;
ethical considerations related to computers in the legal environment.
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3. Read pages 138 (starting with a definition of competence) through
page 143 (the end of sanctions for incompetence) in your Concise
Guide to Paralegal Ethics.
ASSIGNMENT: A LEGAL PLEADING using Microsoft Word.
You will be required to do a legal pleading from scratch in your
practice as a paralegal.
Part of 2/6/09 Roper Chapter 11: Computer-Assisted Legal Research and CD-
Legal ROM Legal Databases
Research; Research using Lexis.
Students
Expected ASSIGNMENT: CITE CHECKING EXERCISE.
to Attend
2 2/13/09 Roper Chapter 3: Word Processing (Cont’d) Notice of
Continue reviewing deposition summaries. Deposition/Legal
ASSIGNMENT: A DEPOSITION SUMMARY. Pleading
Roper Chapter 4: Spreadsheet Software
Structure and organization of a spreadsheet; designing effective
spreadsheets; and spreadsheets in the legal environment.
There will be in-class practice with Excel.
3 2/20/09 Roper Chapter 5: Database Management Systems Lexis cite checking
Computerized database planning and design; creating a table, exercise
entering and editing data, creating forms, querying the database,
creating reports; database management in the legal environment;
using Access.
Roper Chapter 6: Legal Timekeeping and Billing Software
Manual v. computerized billing systems; the computerized
timekeeping and billing process; kinds of legal fee agreements;
handling legal expenses; timekeeping and billing for paralegal time;
functions of a successful billing system; integrating timekeeping and
billing; using PC Law.
Begin reviewing time sheet assignment.
4 2/27/09 Finish reviewing time sheet assignment and using PC Law. Deposition
Summary
ASSIGNMENT: TIME SHEET.
Roper Chapter 7: Case Management and Docket Control Software
Manual docket control; setting up a calendaring system, tickler
systems, mail logs, daily schedules, court dockets; computerized
docket control programs; statutes of limitations; calendaring issues;
using Abacus Law.
5 3/20/09 Roper Chapter 8: Electronic Discovery Time Sheet
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and electronically stored
information; producing and receiving ESI.
6 3/27/09 Roper Chapter 9: Litigation Support Software
The litigation support process; information and documents to be
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4. tracked in litigation; setting up and organizing case files; using
Casesoft.
7 4/3/09 Roper Chapter 10: The Internet and Electronic Mail Internet
Research using the world wide web, finding public records; effective Assignment (In-
use of email, ethical considerations of using email including client class assignment)
confidentiality and personal use.
ASSIGNMENT: OBTAINING PUBLIC RECORDS
INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET AND LEARNING HOW
TO USE LOW COST/FREE LEGAL RESEARCH SITES.
8 4/24/09 Roper Chapter 12: The Electronic Courthouse, Automated
Courtroom, and Presentation Graphics
Electronic filing; electronic access to court dockets and records; the
automated courtroom; presentation graphics; formatting
presentations; using multimedia and animation effects; using
PowerPoint.
ASSIGNMENT: POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
9 5/1/09 Roper Chapter 12: The Electronic Courthouse, Automated PowerPoint
Courtroom, and Presentation Graphics (Cont’d) Presentation
PACER.
Course review.
10 5/8/09 FINAL EXAM
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