Syllabus
Law Office Administration- 5218 278
Fall 2011
Class Schedule
Location
Professor:
Telephone:
Office hours:
Campus e-mail:
Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Building 53 Room 524
Dr. Donnamaria Culbreth
443-985-7127
Wednesday 1-7pm
dculbreth@udc.edu
Prerequisite: 2218 181
Required Texts / Readings:
Roper, B. D. (2007). Practical Law Office Managements (3rd ed.). Delmar/Cengage Publishers.
Law Dictionary
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course examines the basic management principles of the law office, including organization
and administrative operations, the paralegal’s administrative role and responsibility for
maintaining the library, supervising other administrative staff, time-keeping, billing and related
systems. Ethics is emphasized.
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
 Explain the behind the scenes workings and management of a law office.
 Explain the types of law offices, staff positions, and possible office structures in different
types of law offices.
 Identify the common ethical and malpractice problems for attorneys and legal assistants
and how to avoid or handle the concerns/problems.
 Explain the importance of timekeeping, billing, and client trust funds in a law office.
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 Explain the importance of docket control/case management and its relationship to
malpractice, ethics, and providing quality services to clients.
 Develop a law office strategic management and marketing plan
 Explain the necessity of file management, law office equipment, and space management/
 leases.
 Explain the fundamental aspects of law office management.
 Explain law office marketing concepts and techniques.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES and EXPECTATIONS
Instructional Strategies
The course will be conducted using instructor-led lecture presentations and class discussions.
Assignments will consist of weekly written assignments, research assignments, and group projects.
Students are required to engage in class discussions.
Class sessions will include discussions on current issues involving investigative techniques and
evidence issues that occur in a variety of legal settings. Student comprehension of course content
will be assessed through all course activities. Student Assignments will be submitted via the class
Blackboard site.
The legal principals and concepts will be presented in lectures. However, this is a “learn by
doing” class. One cannot memorize skills, one must learn by practicing. Therefore, students will
complete assignments and projects that will allow students to demonstrate that they understand
and can apply the learning material to complete course assignments.
Expectations
 Students are expected to read all instructions carefully and to submit original, quality
course work by the due dates specified.

Students are expected to show respect and professionalism when communicating with
other students as well as Dr. Culbreth

Students are expected to participate in class discussions

Students are expected to work with group members to complete all assigned group
projects
IV. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be assigned written assignments during each class session. Assignments will be due
by 1pm EST on the following Saturday. I.E. Assignment given on 8/27/11 will be due by1pm
EST on 9/3/11.
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Legal Assisting students are expected to complete and submit original quality written course
assignments. Accordingly, all course work submitted must be grammatically correct (use the
spell check feature in Word to conduct a sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
check). We will follow the general legal format for all written assignments and Memorandums.
Students will submit all assignments with a cover page in the form of a Memorandum. See
Appendix B attached hereto.
Projects: Students will complete the Strategic Plan and Law Office Staff Manual as Group
Projects. Participation is required by all students. A Memorandum explaining both Projects
will be provided and explained during the first class meeting.
V. COURSE POLICIES
Participation
Class Participation requires presence during the entire class period. Students should not leave
the classroom once class has begun except in emergencies.
Class Participation requires attention. Students should refrain from engaging in activities that
are disruptive to the class. Professional conduct requires that students refrain from eating,
talking or laughing while others are speaking, passing notes, playing games, reading newspapers,
or in any other manner disrupting the educational process by being rude or inattentive. Students
acting in an unprofessional manner will be asked to leave the classroom and will be counted
absent for that class. During small group, simulations and large group discussion all computers
should be closed. When laptop use is permitted, the only permissible use is note-taking. Surfing
the web is by definition NOT paying attention. You may not use Blackberries, Treos, mobile
phones, and other handheld devices. You must turn off such devices before coming to class. If
your cell phone rings during class you will be asked to leave and the day will be count as an
absence.
Class Participation requires preparation. Our class meetings will primarily focus on
conversation about the readings and the larger issues that they address. You are expected to be an
active and productive participant in our conversations. To do this, you must carefully read (and
sometimes re-read) the assigned reading material before class, and come to our meetings with
questions and ideas to discuss. There will occasionally be more specific assignments for you to
complete. You are also expected to be a productive and contributing member of your debate
team.
No dozing in class! It is extremely rude toward those who are speaking, and tends to dampen the
energy and involvement of the group as a whole.
Attendance Policy
The University expects all students to attend classes on a regular basis. If a student finds it
necessary to be absent from class because of illness or other personal reasons, the reason for the
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absence should be reported to Dr. Culbreth via e-mail. This is for the instructor’s information
and in no way excuses the absence, nor does it relieve the student of the responsibility for
assignments due on the date of absence. In addition, students are responsible for obtaining notes,
etc. from other students when they have missed a class. Extenuating circumstances which may
force a student to be absent should be reported to the departmental office and to Dr. Culbreth.
Students are responsible for signing the Attendance Sheet each week. The Attendance Sheet will
be available for signing at the end of class and will only be recorded using the Class Attendance
Sheet. Students are not to make attendance sheets using notebook paper. Students are required to
print and sign their names each week. It is the responsibility of each student to make sure that the
Attendance Sheet is signed each week.
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive late should enter the class without disturbing the lecture and/or discussion.
Weekly Schedule
The Weekly Course Schedule is attached as Appendix A. Please read the required material and
complete assignments by the due dates noted.
Weekly Supplemental Material
Due to the nature of this course, occasionally supplemental material will be posted in Blackboard
under the Weekly course tab. Students are required to check the course Blackboard site before
class each week, print the material, review and bring to class. Copies of supplemental material
will not be provided during class.
Note Taking
Good note taking skills are a necessity and crucial in order for students to be successful in this
course. Accordingly, during this class students are expected to take plenty of notes and to ask
questions for clarification of material.
Breaks
The break times for this course will consist of two breaks that will last for fifteen minutes each.
Students are expected to return from breaks on time. In accordance with College policies, eating
is not allowed in the classroom.
E-mail Policy
By the end of the first week of class, each student is required to send an e-mail to Dr. Culbreth at
dculbreth@udc.edu include the following information: full name, telephone numbers, and
correct e-mail address. Include the course number (5218-278) only in the subject line of all email. Sign your full name at the end of all e-mail. E-mails sent without the correct Subject Line
identifying information will not be answered.
I do not accept assignments via e-mail. All assignments are to be submitted in the designated
Blackboard Dropbox. Assignments that are not submitted in accordance with instructions will
not be graded. Assignments sent via e-mail will not be graded.
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Office Hours
Telephone calls are only accepted during office hours: Wednesday 1-7pm only. If you cannot
call during the designated office hours, please send an e-mail and we will schedule an alternate
date and time.
Cell Phone Policy
 During class time cell phones are to be placed on vibrate or silent and out of sight.
 No texting during class sessions
Late Assignments
Dr. Culbreth believes in providing each adult student with an opportunity to actively learn and
demonstrate competencies needed in today's high performance workplace. Opportunities will be
made available for you to reach your maximum learning potential. Just as in the workplace, it is
expected that you will complete all assignments by the due date. Accordingly, late assignments
will not be accepted unless extenuating circumstances exist such as emergencies. Emergencies
consist of serious, documented illness requiring hospitalization, hospitalization of a spouse or
child, or the documented death of a close family member. In the event, of an emergency
prohibiting a student from completing assignments timely, the student must advise via e-mail and
request an extension. Extenuating circumstances do not include vacations, weekend trips, and
travel.
Plagiarism
Quite simply, plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as one’s own without giving
proper credit. It is, in effect, literary theft whereby which someone’s original idea is used by
another person as if it were his own and it is a particularly serious crime in the academic world.
There are two forms of plagiarism, intentional and unintentional, but both are violations of
academic honesty.
It is important to remember that plagiarism involves:

submitting another person’s work as your own without giving credit

changing that person’s words but keeping the same idea intact without giving credit

failing to place quotation marks around a verbatim passage, and

copying enough words from a source that it composes the majority of your work,
regardless of whether you give proper credit to the source or not
One final point that must be made with regard to plagiarism is whether or not it is committed
intentionally or unintentionally. Intentional plagiarism is done with the full intent to deceive by
making someone else’s work appear as though it were your own, but unintentional plagiarism
can occur because you:

did not know how to cite a source properly

used someone else’s ideas through a group project, or from lecture notes
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
cited the incorrect source

allowed someone else to write portions of your work

failed to place quotation marks around a passage that was cut and pasted into your
work
Finally, the following actions will be taken against you if you are found guilty of plagiarism,
whether intentional or not:


a zero as a grade for a first offense
an F for the entire course if you are found guilty of plagiarism more than once.
EXAMPLE OF PLAGARISM:
Dr Culbreth reviewed the report from Gen and Gen and found that there was a similarity in
the manner in which the entire document did not adhere to OSHA standards. Violations
included the failure of the employer in many instances to cover the eight cover tops of the
final lifting tray. However, the final report did mention the numerous citations served upon
the employer for failing to adhere to standards required by section 174 of the theory saw
requirement. Employers are required to adhere to the standards of all theory saw tools.
Failure to adhere to OSHA standards constitutes a clear violation of workplace safety
requirements. Johnson Nules noted that violations of this nature occur constantly by what
many call the new era employer.
The material noted in red is the plagiarized material. It is the original work of another author,
copied word for word and credit was not given to the original author. The material was copied
and altered and it constitutes plagiarism!
VI. GRADING POLICIES
Course work submissions: All course work must be submitted in the appropriate Blackboard
Dropbox for each Assignment.
Grading Schedule
Course work will be graded within one week. I. E. Course work submitted for each week
(Saturday) will be graded and returned by the following Friday. Please check the Blackboard
Dropbox and print your assignment and keep in a safe place. Please do not send e-mails asking
for your grade before the one week grading period has ended.
Grading Rubrics
All course word will be graded using Grading Rubrics that will be attached to each Assignment.
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Grading Scale
1350-1500
1200-1349
1050-1199
1000-1049
Below 1000
A
B
C
D
F
Evaluation Criteria
Written Assignments
Attendance
Participation
Strategic Plan
Staff Law Office Manual
Total Points
9x 60
14 x 10
14 x 10
1x1
1x1
540
140
140
340
340
1500
VII. UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic Integrity Policies
Students enrolling at the University of the District of Columbia assume the obligation to
maintain standards of academic integrity. Violation of academic obligations: include: unethical
practices and acts of academic dishonesty, such as cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and the
facilitation of such acts. Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized aid
or assistance or the actual giving or receiving of any unfair advantage on any form of academic
work.
Plagiarism is the use of another’s ideas or words, or both, as if they were one’s own. However, ideas
or direct quotations from others are acceptable with appropriate citation of source. Students are
subject to dismissal from a degree program for unethical practices and acts of academic dishonesty. It
should also be noted that a plea of ignorance of the policy will not be accepted. The prescribed
policies and procedures that pertain to violation of the academic integrity policy are contained in the
Student Handbook.
Disability Support Services
If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the American with Disabilities Act and
require assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the Office for Services to
Students with Disabilities, Building 38 Room A-11 (202-274-6000) or TTY 202-274-6152).
Students with diagnosed learning disabilities should report to the same office.
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement
The University of the District of Columbia actively subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity in
education.
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Sexual Harassment and Racial Discrimination Policy Statement
It is the policy of the University of the District of Columbia that sexual harassment and racial
harassment in any way of its students, staff, and applicants for admission to the University are
prohibited.
.
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Appendix A
Weekly Course Schedule
Week
Lecture Topics
Assignments
Assignment Due
Dates
1

Syllabus Review
Reading Material:
E-mail
08/27/11

Course Group Project Review: The
Syllabus (Blackboard)
acknowledging
Strategic Management Plan (due)
Group Project Instructions
review and
Week 9 and Grading Rubric
(Blackboard)
understanding of
9/3/11


Syllabus
Law Office Staff Manual Project
Review and Grading Rubric
Law Office Staff Manual Project
Gantt Charts (plan or timeline of the
(Blackboard)
projected begin and end dates of
,
projects.
3
Topics:
9/10/11

The Legal Team
Chapter 1

Law Practices
Supplemental Material

Law Firm Governance
Reading Material:
Assignment 1: 60 points
4
9/17/11
Learning Objectives
On The Web, Exercise No, 2, p. 41:
Discuss the titles and duties of each member
of the legal team.
• Explain the trends in legal assistant salaries.
• Identify alternate law office organization
structures.
• Identify the functions of law office
management.
• Explain the “systems view” of management.
Law Firm Websites
Topics
Reading Material:

Legal Administration and
Technology
Law Office Administration
Assignment 1 due
Chapter 2
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Assignment 2: 60 points
Learning Objectives
 Discuss what a staff manual is and
why it is important.
 Differentiate between a policy and a
procedure.
 Discuss why providing quality
services is important.
 Define “mission statement.”
 Explain the planning process
 Distinguish between practice
management and administrative
management
 Define total quality management
 List and explain major federal
employment laws
 Discuss major technology issues in
law offices
5

and Software, p. 120,
Project No. 5: Law Office Security and
Workplace Violence, p. 120
2.2 Gantt Charts due for the Strategic
Plan and Law Office Staff
Memorandum
(See pp. 87-88)
Reading Material
Topic
9/24/11
Project No.: 2. Computer Hardware
Assignment 2
Chapter 3
Ethics and Malpractice
Assignment: 3
Questions and Exercises 1-11 (pp 175-
Learning Objectives
176)
• Discuss the voluntary ethical codes
established by national legal assistant
associations.
• Explain the attorney-client privilege and to
whom it applies.
• List guidelines that will prevent legal
assistants from accidentally revealing
confidential client information.
• Explain what a conflict of interest is and
what a law office can do to limit conflict of
interest problems.
• Discuss what the “Chinese Wall” is and
when it applies.
6
Reading Material:
Topics:
10/1/11
Assignment 3
Chapter 4


Client Relations and
Assignment:
Communication Skills
Students will be assigned hypothetical
Preparing for the Client Interview
cases to read and develop a client
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profile, and interview questions
Learning Objectives:
pertaining to the case
• Discuss factors that will promote effective
client relationships.
• Discuss ways to communicate effectively.
• Identify communication barriers.
• Explain the importance of good listening
skills.
• Identify the pros and cons of using groups
to make decisions.
• Draft client interview questions based on
Creation of client data information
input sheet (p. 260)
case information
Complete a client profile information sheet
7
Continue Chapter 4: Client communication
10/08/11
Take good notes during the Lecture
and Preparing for Client Interviews
8
Topics:
10/15/11

Legal Fees, Timekeeping and
Reading Material
Assignment 4 is
Chapter 5
due
Billing
Assignment 5:
Learning Objectives
Question and Exercise No. 10 pp. 322-
• Differentiate between timekeeping and
billing.
• Recognize major types of legal fee
agreements.
• Know the difference between billable and
non-billable time.
• Explain the concept of value billing.
• Discuss how the billing process works and
what it entails.
• Differentiate between an earned and an
324
Complete the assignment in a Table
format using Microsoft Word
unearned retainer.
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9
Group Project: Strategic Plan is due
Midterm Exam Week
10/22/11
Group Project:
Strategic Plan is
due
10
Topics:
10/29/11

Reading Material:
Client Trust Funds and Law Office
Chapter 6
Accounting
Assignment 6
Assignment 5 due
Questions and Exercises 6-9
Learning Objectives
p. 388-390
• Understand the purpose and importance of
trust/escrow accounts.
• Discuss the ethics rules regarding
safeguarding client funds.
• Explain the budgeting process.
6, 7, and 8
11
Topics:
Reading Material:
Assignment 6 is
11/5/11

Calendaring, Docket Control, and
Chapter 7
due
Case Management
Assignment 7
Questions and Exercises 1-7
Learning Objectives:
Explain how to make docketing entries.
• Discuss how to calculate court deadlines.
• Explain why a poor docket system is
harmful to a law office.
• Differentiate between manual and
computerized docket systems.
• Explain how a poor docket control system
leads to ethical and malpractice claims.
12
11/12/11
13
Topic:
Chapter 8:
Legal Marketing
Assignment 8: Legal Marketing Plan,
Learning Objectives
Brochure, and Website (Instructions

Develop a sample law firm website
will be provided for students to develop

Discuss different marketing options
the law firm’s website and brochure.
that are available to law offices
Firm Brochure see p. 507
Topics:
Assignment 9:
File and Law Library Management
Students will develop a file using the
Learning Objectives
client information from Weeks 6-7.
11/19/11
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





14
Discuss why file management is
important.
Organize a client file
Explain centralized and decentralized
filing systems.
Discuss the importance of closing
and purging files.
Explain why library ordering should
be centralized.
Give examples of how law library
costs can be reduced.
Thanksgiving Holiday
Students will submit the file as a hard
copy to Dr. Culbreth in class
No Class
11/26/11
15
Course Wrap up and discussion
Assignment 8 and
12/3/11
12/10/11
9 are due
Law Office Staff Manual Project is due
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Staff Manual due
Fall 2011
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Appendix B
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Dr. Donnamaria Culbreth
FROM:
(enter your name)
RE:
Enter Assignment/Project No and Name
DATE:
Enter Date
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Use this as the cover page for all assignments
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