Course Descriptions

Legal Administration (LGL)

LGL 110 INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND THE LEGAL ASSISTANT (3 cr.)   Introduces various areas of law in which a legal assistant will be employed. Includes study of court system (Virginia and federal) as well as a brief overview of criminal law, torts, domestic relations, evidence, ethics, the role of the legal assistant and other areas of interest. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 117 FAMILY LAW (3 cr.)   Studies elements of a valid marriage, grounds for divorce and annulment, separation, defenses, custody, support, adoptions, and applicable tax consequences.  Includes property settlement, pre- and ante-nuptial agreements, pleadings, and rules of procedure.  May include specific federal and Virginia consumer laws. Lecture 3 hours per week.
 
LGL 127 Legal Research and Writing (3 cr.)   Provides a basic understanding of legal research and the proper preparation of legal documents, including brief writing. Prerequisite ENG 111 or permission of division. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 130 LAW OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT (3 cr.)   Introduces management principles and systems applicable to law firms, including record keeping, disbursements, escrow accounts, billing, and purchasing. May include accounting methods and software packages applicable to law firms. Lecture 3 hours per week.
 
LGL 150 Law and Mediation (3 cr.) Explores concepts, such as conflict resolution, communication and problem solving, as the basis for the exploration of the mediation process. Significant focus is on experiential learning, as informed by initial introduction tot he theoretical basis. Students will be introduced to the variety of settings in which mediation processes are utilized, and the utilization of mediation within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Co-requisite: LGL 110. Lecture 3 hours per week

 

LGL 190 COORDINATED INTERNSHIP (1-5 cr.)   Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the College.  Credit/Practice ratio maximum 1:5 hours.  May be repeated for credit.  Variable hours.

 

LGL 200 ETHICS FOR THE LEGAL ASSISTANT (1 cr.)   Examines general principles of ethical conduct applicable to legal assistants.  Includes the application of rules of ethics to the practicing legal assistant.  Lecture 1 hour per week.

 

LGL 217 TRIAL PRACTICE AND THE LAW OF EVIDENCE (3 cr.)   Introduces civil and criminal evidence, including kinds, degrees and admissibility of evidence. Studies methods and techniques of evidence acquisition. Emphasizes Virginia and federal rules of evidence. Focuses on elements and various problems associated with the trial of a civil or criminal case. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 218 CRIMINAL LAW (3 cr.)   Focuses on major crimes, including their classification, elements of proof, intent, conspiracy, responsibility, parties, and defenses. Emphasizes Virginia law. May include general principles of applicable constitutional law and criminal procedure. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 225 ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE (3 cr.)   Introduces various devices used to plan an estate, including wills, trust, joint ownership and insurance.  Considers various plans in light of family situations and estate objectives. Focuses on practices involving administration of an estate including taxes and preparation of forms. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 226 REAL ESTATE ABSTRACTING (3 cr.)   Reviews aspects of abstracting title to real estate, recordation of land transactions, liens, grantor-grantee indices, warranties, covenants, restrictions, dower and courtesy rights and easements. Lecture 3 hours per week.
 
LGL 230 Legal Transactions (3 cr.) Presents an in-depth study of general contract law, including formation, breach, enforcement and remedies. May include an overview of UCC sales, commercial paper, and collections. Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 238 BANKRUPTCY (3 cr.)   Provides a practical understanding of non-bankruptcy alternatives and the laws of bankruptcy including Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing petitions, schedules, statements, and other forms.  Lecture 3 hours per week.

 

LGL 290 COORDINATED INTERNSHIP (1-5 cr.)   Supervises on-the-job training in selected business, industrial or service firms coordinated by the College.  Credit/Practice ratio maximum 1:5 hours.  May be repeated for credit.  Variable hours.