Legal Studies

This course emphasizes the basics of legal research methods and good written communication, with an emphasis on precise writing. The course uses a case-study approach for developing organizational, legal style and analytical skills. It is an introduction to the use of research materials in the law library, including WESTLAW, Lexis, Internet basics. The course also includes familiarization with the preparation of legal memoranda and briefs encountered in the general practice of law, with specific research problems to be completed and researched.

This course is designed to equip students with essential skills for managing office operations and financial practices effectively. Students will learn to demonstrate proficiency in billing functions, including time-keeping, various billing methods, and ABA coding systems. The course will cover the identification and management of different types of bills and billing practices, including collections. The course will also introduce various software and computer techniques, enabling students to utilize these tools efficiently in a law office setting.

This course is an introduction to the civil litigation process, with emphasis on the practice associated with a civil action. Topics covered include: civil procedure, preparation and use of pleadings, discovery, evidence, client interviewing, and investigative techniques. It is recommended that this class be taken as soon as possible after completion of LAW 200.

This course emphasizes the practice related to formation and operation of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, limited liability partnerships, and corporations. It includes partnership agreements and corporate documents, the formation of corporations, corporate financial structures, dividends and liquidations, changes in corporate structure, and the dissolution of corporations. This course also includes incorporation procedures in Nebraska and the preparation and drafting of documents.

This course introduces environmental law, covering key legislation, regulatory frameworks, and legal principles governing environmental protection. Topics include the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and international environmental treaties. The course also explores environmental justice, climate change law, and the role of agencies such as the EPA.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the constitutional and procedural rules governing criminal investigations, arrests, searches and seizures, interrogations, and prosecutions. The course emphasizes the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and their interpretations by the Supreme Court. Students will analyze case law, statutory provisions, and procedural frameworks essential to understanding the criminal justice process.

This course provides an overview of dispute resolution mechanisms used in the American legal system such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Students explore various standards of application to alternative dispute resolution and basic learning skills needed to work with parties in conflict.

This course is an introduction to the US immigration law. Topics covered include Visa types; Refugees and Asylum; DACA, U-Visas, VAWA, Adjustment of Status and Naturalization. Our focus will be not only the law as written on the books, but also how it operates in practice through observation of immigration hearings, excerpted materials from litigated cases, and lectures from practicing immigration lawyers. we will examine the laws governing the admission of nonimmigrants and immigrants into the United States; the exclusion and deportation of these same groups; refugee and asylum law; the regulation of noncitizen employment; and the acquisition and loss of citizenship.

This course will introduce the student to juvenile law. It will focus primarily on the origin of juvenile law as well as juvenile delinquency and status offenses.

LAW 470 is a 3-credit course which provides actual work experience in a legal setting, giving students an opportunity to incorporate classroom learning with practical experience under the supervision of an attorney. The internship entails a minimum of 160 hours completed with the internship host within the framework of the semester in which the internship occurs.

Requirements for acceptance to LAW 470*

1. Permission of the Program Director.
2. Enrollment in the certificate, bachelor, or associate degree in paralegal studies program.
3. Enrollment in the last semester of course work.
4. Students must demonstrate suitability for the paralegal profession based on the following factors: academic performance, character and professionalism, dependability, cooperation and command of oral and written language skills.
5. Completion of at least 75 percent (65 percent for certificate seekers) of law credit hours.
6. Recommended registration in no more than 12 hours in addition to Law 470.
7. GPA of 2.5 in law course work and GPA of 2.5 overall
8. A grade of C or better in all law courses.
9. Completion of an interview with the Program Director.
10. Completion and submission of application.

* The Program Director reserves the right to waive requirements. Law 470 may not be taken as an audit course.