Pellissippi State Technical Community College
Master Syllabus

LEGAL INTERNSHIP
LAW 2800

Class Hours: 1.0

Instructor:

Lab Hours: 6.0

Office No.:

Credit Hours: 3.0

Phone No.:

Date Revised: 05-14-09

E-mail:

Catalog Course Description:
Part-time supervised work experience in a law-related environment in which the student is assigned definite paralegal tasks and responsibilities. Individual conferences and seminars are arranged instead of class attendance.

Entry-level Standards:
Students should maintain professionalism at all times.

Prerequisites:
Completion of 15 hours of LAW courses, with a minimum 2.5 GPA in LAW courses; second-year status; and department approval.

I.    WEEK/ASSIGNMENTS:*

WEEK

ASSIGNMENT

1

Introduction (1 hour): Orientation to internship; syllabus review; preparation and discussion of individual learning objectives

4

Seminar (3 hours): Topic: Legal environment myths and reality. Oral reports on internship experiences; first written report describing office work, assignments, and learning experiences. “Learning” includes both legal skills and non-legal work-related skills and career insights

7

Seminar (3 hours): Discussion Topic: Record keeping procedures. Insights, difficulties, different work environments; second written report describing office systems (filing, billing, timekeeping, calendaring, etc.)

10

Seminar (3 hours): Discussion Topic: Protection of confidentiality. Third written report detailing any fact pattern or actual case from internship office with facts changed to protect client confidentiality for role-playing exercise

13

Seminar (2 hours): Discussion Topic: Client relationships. Oral reports on internship experiences; role-playing exercises on managing difficult clients; Transition from internship to job; strategies for updating and improving resumes; Completion of Major Field Test: (1 hour)

14

Seminar (1 hour): Discussion Topic: Value of different kinds of professional contacts and preventing conflicts of interest in future jobs; oral reports on internship experiences; Career planning: interviewing techniques, job-hunting strategies, salaries, compensation issues, and negotiation strategies; Turn in hourly log, portfolio of work samples, final written report with recommendation, and supervisor's evaluation; discussion about value of internship and future job prospects

*The instructor will provide full assignment details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement.

II.    COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  1. Support and supplement development of professional skills and knowledge in a real-world setting. I, II, III, IV
  2. Consistently monitor the development of on-the-job skills and knowledge. I, II, III, IV, V
  3. Assess the student's overall training in Pellissippi State's Paralegal Studies program. I, II, III, IV, V
  4. Demonstrate appropriate tools for locating, evaluating, and securing permanent employment opportunities. I, II, III, IV, V

III.    INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESSES:

The student will:

  1. Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, good manners, etc. Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
  2. Perform course assignments by leading discussion of new skills acquired and career-related insights, including those of a legal or technical nature as well as those of a purely professional nature, such as communications or interpersonal skills gained from experiences, etc. that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, goal setting and planning skills. Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
  3. Examine ethical issues related to legal representation, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, duty of legal professional to provide legal services, etc. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
  4. Participate in role-playing client relationship exercises. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
  5. Listen to guest speakers from the legal community to learn the demands for paralegal skills in the work world, including transitioning suggestions between school and employment. Transitional Strategy.

IV.    EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

The student should be able to:

  1. Recognize and avoid acts that constitute the unauthorized practice of law. (A, D)
  2. Recognize and avoid acts that constitute the breach of client confidentiality. (A, D)
  3. Recognize potential and actual conflict of interest situations. (A, D)
  4. Describe what kind of skills are employed during employment interview process. (A, B, C, D)
  5. Discuss the paralegal's role in internship office. (A, B, C, D)
  6. Demonstrate research skills by finding law applicable to assignment. (B, C, D)
  7. Describe the differences between federal and state court jurisdiction. (A, B, C, D)
  8. Describe computer use in legal environments. (D)
  9. Explain the various types of employment for paralegals. (A, B, D)
  10. Perform typical duties of the paralegal. (A, B, C, D)
  11. Demonstrate the characteristics of an effective paralegal. (A, B, C, D)
  12. Appreciate the critical importance of honesty and integrity in the legal environment. (A, B, D)
  13. Explain the role of bar associations and legal assistant organizations in developing professional standards for paralegals (C)

V.    EVALUATION:

  1. Testing Procedures:
    Internships are pass/fail. An unsuccessful internship experience may result in serious consequences impacting re-enrollment and graduation. Students shall notify the Program Coordinator immediately of any problems concerning the internship.
  2. Laboratory Expectations:
    Students must complete the required number of seminar, conference, and laboratory hours.
  3. Field Work:
    Students must complete work samples, time log, periodic written reports, oral reports, presentations, and final report; and maintain professionalism at all times.
  4. Other Evaluation Methods:
    The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement. All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions.
  5. Grading Scale:
    Internships are Pass/No Pass.

VI.    POLICIES:

  1. Attendance Policy:
    Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. [NOTE: No differentiation is noted for excused/unexcused absences. These will be treated as an absence.] (Pellissippi State Catalog)
  2. Academic Dishonesty:
    Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. (Pellissippi State Catalog)
  3. Computer Usage Guidelines:
    College-owned or –operated computing resources are provided for use by students of Pellissippi State. All students are responsible for the usage of Pellissippi State's computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner. (Pellissippi State Catalog)
  4. Accommodation for Disabilities: Students who need accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated should inform the instructor immediately, privately after class or in her or his office.  Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 134 or 126 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153. More information is available at www.pstcc.edu/departments/swd/
  5. Timeliness:
    Due dates are crucially important in any law office. Missing a due date can cause disastrous consequences for the client. An equal level of professionalism will be expected regarding seminar work. Late papers or oral presentations will not be accepted without specific approval from the instructor.
  6. Ethics:
    Nowhere are personal and professional ethics as important as in legal work, where court rules require avoiding even the appearance of unethical conduct. Verified unethical conduct at the internship site may result in removal from the internship and an F in the course.
  7. Professional Appearance:
    Internships occur in a professional legal environment. Students are expected to dress in a neat, professional manner at all times.