(FALL 2009)

A required course in the Paralegal Certificate Program.
This course is an overview of legal analysis and writing, including the history and foundation of legal writing. Students will examine the various categories of legal writing, and draft legal documents, pleadings, memoranda, and a trial brief. Students will learn to brief appellate court cases and develop a style for writing appellate briefs. Procedures from initial client interviews, to filing complaints, to trial and post-trial procedures, including pre-trial and post-trial motions will be discussed. A significant amount of time will be spent in analyzing good and poor writing styles, and developing a style of drafting and writing correspondence, pleadings and other documents. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Legal Assistantship, or consent of instructor.

Michaël R. Fischer, J.D., a distinguished graduate of the University of Southern California Law School, draws upon his broad experience as a litigator, author of legal publications, and seminar lecturer to present a dynamic overview of torts, civil litigation, and legal writing.