Law Office Management
LWMG200 — Law Office Management, 3.0 hours
This course will cover the theories, procedures, and systems of law office management, as well as an overview of the legal team and judicial system. Includes law practice technology as applied to paralegals.
Program Objectives
1) Discuss how law firms are structured.
2) Discuss the players of a law firm.
3) Recognize the role of a paralegal in the law firm.
4) Discuss the requirements of professionalism.
5) Discuss the attorney-client relationship.
6) Discuss legal fees, timekeeping, and law office accounting.
7) Compare the type of legal technology available to paralegals.
8) Recognize the role of human resources.
9) Explain calendaring and docketing.
10) Illustrate file maintenance
Professor
Joe Reyes
Joe has been a Mediation Instructor with Lakewood College since June of 2017. Before being part of the Lakewood team, he worked as a mediator for the Center for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDRS) as well as a private mediator. In addition to working in the mediation field, he has held several positions.
Joe worked as Criminal Justice program director for San Joaquin Valley College, an Officer with the Fullerton College Campus Police Department, Field Training Officer at the State of California Office of Protective Services. He was then promoted to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and investigated numerous cases involving child abuse, elder abuse, death investigations, and sexual assaults.
In 2007, Mr. Reyes transferred to the State of California Department of Corrections where he worked as a Special Agent with their Internal Affairs (OIA) Unit. Joe held the position of Terrorism Liaison Office.
Joe served 7 years in the United States Marine Corps and 6 years in the Army National Guard. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Negotiations and Conflict Management.
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
Nollkamper, Pamela Everett. Fundamentals of Law Office Management. 5th Ed. Albany, NY: Delmar, 2014.
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 60 Points
- Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
- Final Exam - 50 Points
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 190. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 190.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
F < (Below 70%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
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
|
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
1) Discuss how law firms are structured.
2) Discuss the players of a law firm.
3) Recognize the role of a paralegal in the law firm.
4) Discuss the requirements of professionalism.
5) Discuss the attorney-client relationship.
6) Discuss legal fees, timekeeping, and law office accounting.
7) Compare the type of legal technology available to paralegals.
8) Recognize the role of human resources.
9) Explain calendaring and docketing.
10) Illustrate file maintenance
Lessons
- The Legal Marketplace
- The Legal Team
Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapters 1 & 2
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
Assignment 1 upon completion of the lesson
- Personal Relations
- The Attorney-Client Relationship
Read Chapters 3 & 4
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forum
- Legal Assistant Ethics and Client Relations
- Legal Fees
Read Chapters 5 & 6
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 2
Assignment 2 upon completion of the lesson
- Timekeeping
- Billing and Financial Management
Read Chapters 7 & 8
Review PowerPoints
Complete Midterm Writing Assignment
Midterm assignment upon completion of the lesson
- Managing the Clients' Funds Account
- Technology in the Law Office
Read Chapters 9 & 10
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forum
Assignment 2 upon completion of the lesson
- Law Office Systems
- Docket Control Systems
Read Chapters 11 & 12
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 3
Assignment 3 upon completion of the lesson
- Records and File Management
- Law Library Organization and Management
Read Chapters 13 & 14
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 4
Assignment 4 upon completion of the lesson
Review the PowerPoint
Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Course Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS
Final exam upon completion of the lesson