The two areas of study for this topic-specific Specialist Program are Contract Law and Business Organizations. A required elective further sharpens your understanding of Contract Law.
Contract Law
Formal agreements between two or more parties usually involve contracts. Paralegals and lawyers rarely create contracts from scratch, but rather modify existing contracts for current legal matters. Paralegals knowledgeable about how to draft contracts, and how to assist attorneys when litigation involving an alleged breach occurs, are extremely valuable to attorneys. Gain a thorough understanding of the proper elements of contracts, and learn to create valid new documents. Acquire the necessary foundation to work with plaintiffs and defendants to resolve alleged breaches. Learn what constitutes an offer and what constitutes an acceptance. Develop potential defenses to a breach. Become an important asset as your understanding of contracts progresses and you learn how to research and write specifically for litigation proceedings.
Business Organizations
Attorneys use paralegals extensively in their business or corporate law practices, and corporate paralegals—employed by both law firms and corporate legal departments—are among the best paid in the profession. Learn the procedures for incorporation and the documentation necessary to maintain corporate structures.
Elective
Once you have begun this program, you will work with your instructor to determine which elective course fits best with your particular area of interest. You will choose one of the following electives: E-Discovery, Legal Ethics, Laws of Evidence, Advanced Legal Research or Constitutional Law.