(FALL 2009)

An elective course in the Paralegal Certificate Program. Recommended for paralegals considering a NALA certification exam. Eligible participants will earn up to 30 hours of general MCLE credit based on attendance.
This Course is designed to introduce Paralegals to the legal concepts and the practical applications of federal civil litigation using a transactional approach to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. After an introduction to civil litigation, the role of the paralegal, and the court system, including areas of personal and subject matter jurisdiction and remedies, the course will cover federal pleadings, discovery and trial procedure. In the study of pleadings, the course will cover complaints, cross-complaints, cross-claims, counterclaims, third party complaints, responsive pleadings (answers and replies), affirmative defenses, and Rule 12 dispositive motions. The discovery segment will deal with Interrogatories, Requests for Production, Request for Admissions, Notice of Depositions and Discovery Motions. Students will compile a portfolio of resource materials for reference when working on Federal Court cases. Instructional methods include lectures, classroom discussions, and individual projects.

Jeffrey P. Allsteadt, M.S., is Assistant Deputy in Charge at the United States Federal Court Central District Southern Division. He has worked over fifteen years in both state and federal court systems. Over the years he has developed his expertise in court operations and management, including assisting in the creation and development of the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Court Division, training over twenty law clerks, mediating the settlement of hundreds of civil cases and assisting in the implementation of the Central District of California's implementation of its electronic filing system. Allsteadt holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a MS from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant Michigan.