Legal Analysis and Writing I

LGAW200 — Legal Analysis & Writing I, 3.0 hours

Description

A requisite for a capable legal assistant is the ability to prepare professional legal documents. This comprehensive course provides the student with in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of legal analysis and writing. Students will first examine an overview of
the legal system, including analytic principles and the legal process. They will learn the specifics of legal analysis, including case law and briefing, identifying and stating the issue, case application, and counter analysis. Emphasis on the application of these key principles in legal writing will allow students to prepare interoffice memorandums, court briefs, and general legal correspondence.

Program Objectives 

1) Analyze factual situations and patterns to identify relevant facts.
2) Analyze case law to identify and state the relevant legal issue.
3) Explain the role of precedent in law and the doctrine of stare decisis.
4) Understand the effect of different audiences and purposes on legal writing styles.
5) Analyze situations to apply law to fact.
6) Prepare basic legal memoranda and correspondence.

Professor

Professor

Jeff Huth earned his Bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and his J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. As a practicing attorney, he has briefed and argued cases in the Ohio Supreme Court, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and numerous Ohio Courts of Appeals. He currently practices as a sole practitioner with a general civil practice, with an emphasis on consumer bankruptcy and Social Security disability work, while also teaching legal courses and working in educational administration and compliance. He lives in Medina, Ohio with his wife of 31 years. In his spare time he enjoys golf, fishing and camping with his grandchildren. He also reads whenever he can find the time, primarily non-fiction American history.

Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation

Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation:

All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu

Books and Resources

Books and Resources

Albright, Jennifer, and William H. Putman. Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing. 4th ed. Albany, NY: Delmar, 2018.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation Method

Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary

  • Assignments - Total of 80 Points
  • Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
  • Midterm - 20 Points
  • Final Exam - 50 Points

 

Grading Scale

Grading Scale

Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 230. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 230.

Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:

A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
F < (Below 70%)

Writing Assignment Grading Rubric

Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics

Writing Assignment Grading Rubric

Points

Excellent
10-9 pts

Good
8-6 pts

Poor
5-3 pts

Very Poor
2-1 pts

No Response
0 pts

Original Posting

____/10

Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate

grammar and spelling

Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors

Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely

No Assignment

Total Points

____/10

Additional Comments:

Discussion Question Grading Rubric

Discussion Question Grading Rubric

Points

Excellent Pass

Good Pass

Poor Fail

No Response Fail

Original Posting

PASS/FAIL

Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling

Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors

No posting

Reply to fellow student

PASS/FAIL

Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling

Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling

Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors

No posting

Total Points

PASS/FAIL

Additional Comments:

Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism

Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism:

Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.

I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.

Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.

The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.

Disability Accommodations

Disability Accommodations

Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.

Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu

Supplemental Texts

Supplemental Texts

You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation. 

American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf

The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html

Library

Library

 

Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University

She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730

You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020

She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.

Support

Support

Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.

Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.

1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu

Career Services

Career Services

Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.

1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu

Objectives

Objectives

1) Analyze factual situations and patterns to identify relevant facts.
2) Analyze case law to identify and state the relevant legal issue.
3) Explain the role of precedent in law and the doctrine of stare decisis.
4) Understand the effect of different audiences and purposes on legal writing styles.
5) Analyze situations to apply law to fact.
6) Prepare basic legal memoranda and correspondence.

Lessons

Lessons
Title
Lesson #1
Course Topic
  • Legal Analysis - Key Facts
Readings/Assignments

Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapter 9
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
Lesson Evaluation

Due
Assignment 1 upon completion of the lesson
Title
Lesson #2
Course Topic
  • Legal Analysis — Issue Identification — Spotting the Issue
  • Legal Analysis — Stating the Issue 
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 10 & 11
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forums
Lesson Evaluation

Due
Title
Lesson #3
Course Topic
  • Case Law Analysis -- Is a Case on Point?
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapter 12
Review Powerpoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 2
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Assignment 2 upon completion of the lesson

Title
Lesson #4
Course Topic
  • Counteranalysis
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapter 13
Review PowerPoints
Midterm Writing Assignment
Lesson Evaluation

Due

Midterm Writing Assignment upon completion of the lesson

Title
Lesson #5
Course Topic
  • Fundamentals of Writing
  • The Writing Process for Effective Legal Writing
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 14-15
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the 2 Discussion Forums
Lesson Evaluation

Title
Lesson #6
Course Topic
  • Office Legal Memorandum: Issues ad Facts
  • Office Legal Memorandum: Analysis to Conclusion
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 16 & 17
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 3
Lesson Evaluation

Due
Assignment 3 upon completion of the lesson
Title
Lesson #7
Course Topic
  • External Memoranda: Court Briefs 
  • Correspondence 
Readings/Assignments

Read Chapters 18 & 19
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 4
Lesson Evaluation

Due
Assignment 4 upon completion of the lesson
Title
Lesson #8
Course Topic
Readings/Assignments

Review the PowerPoint
Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Lesson Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS

Due
Final exam upon completion of the lesson

Overview

Course

Course

Contact Information

Contact Information

E-mail: jhuth@lakewood.edu
Cell Phone: 800-517-0857 X 733