lawyer

#Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education

Online Legal Studies Courses

Courses are offered through the Center for Legal Studies. Many of these courses are also available as DVD and Text-Only classes

Advanced and specialized approaches to utilize the legal resources available in a law library, and elsewhere, will be examined. The conceptual differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy research will be taught. You will also learn how to formulate WESTLAW search queries and effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other online legal research methods as timesaving devices in legal research and legal writing.

These advanced topics build upon the nationally acclaimed Paralegal Certificate Course© offered by over 100 colleges and universities nationwide. These classes are available to students who wish to extensively build upon their knowledge of law and paralegal studies with classes in specialized facets of contemporary law.

Students are required to complete six Advanced Paralegal Course topics to complete the requirements for the online Advanced Paralegal Course. Each course topic is offered in a seven-week online session. Students must successfully complete the Core Requirements before they take the Advanced Paralegal Course. Up to three Advanced Paralegal Course topics may be taken during a seven-week online session and Advanced Paralegal Course topics do not have to be taken in any particular order.

All engineers should be particularly concerned with patent law. This constitutionally-based discipline has to do with the process by which an invention, and its creator, are protected by the law from infringement and unfair competition. The class will deal with patent applications, research and prosecution; the law of infringement, and computer applications of software (protected by copyright) and hardware (by patents).

An intensive 14-hour workshop for those desiring to excel, and not merely survive, in their first year of law school. This course’s objective is to teach a proven approach for attacking the onerous casebook method of instruction so that a dedicated student can maximize his or her study time and grades even before the first day of law school. We will show you how not to get lost in the "paper waste."

This exciting course is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field. At the end of the course, students will be qualified to assist attorneys, paralegals, insurance companies and private businesses, as well as state and federal government agencies, in the process of civil and criminal investigation. Students will also be taught how to create a freelance investigation business.

This exciting program prepares medical professionals for a career in the legal field as legal nurse consultants. The course teaches legal concepts related to the health care industry, as well as the role a legal nurse consultant might play in litigation areas such as medical malpractice, toxic torts, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, criminal law, and workers’ compensation.

This intensive online program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office.

Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.

This intensive course is designed to train and qualify students to develop or participate in conflict mediation processes. Participants will review the growth and application of settlement options in the United States. The course focuses on both traditional and non-traditional dispute resolution options. Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation) is geared for all professionals who are focused on "interest-based bargaining."

During the seven week course, you will gain an understanding of the American legal system and learn how you can be of assistance in the exciting field of law. Coursework in Paralegal One is equivalent to 45 class hours of study. This course will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the American judicial system. It will also teach you practical skills including how to assist trial attorneys, interview witnesses, investigate complex fact patterns, research the law, and assist in preparing cases for courtroom litigation.

With this exciting, fast-paced class you will learn many of the legal terms, causes of action, and remedies available to victims of personal injury accidents. We will review the negligence theory of torts upon which many personal injury claims are based. Students will discuss interviewing, investigating and other case building techniques vital to a personal injury paralegal's success in the law office.

This dynamic course is designed for legal professionals interested in improving their skills and knowledge of commonly used computer technology and programs within the law office. Course topics include: computer operating systems and peripheral devices; time tracking and billing software; database, case management and docket control software; litigation support software; electronic discovery, and trial presentation and graphics software.

Participants will be prepared to work in victim advocacy arenas, such as domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, crisis hotlines, and with state and county governments to assist crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery. Course topics include legal terminology, legal process, legislation regarding victims' rights, jurisdiction and venue, ethics, effects of victimization on the victim, victim advocate skills, guardianships and crisis intervention. It also covers counseling skills for victims of assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, murder and homicide.