SYLLABUS FOR:
PAL 155
LAW OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
Instructor: John A. Plesa
419E – Wheeling Campus
(304)-214-8895 [Office]
jplesa@wvncc.edu
Office Hours: Monday = 2:00-5:30; Tuesday = 3:00-5:30; Wednesday = 4:00-5:30;
Thursday = 2:00-5:30; Friday = [BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 10:00-Noon]
If office hours are postponed or canceled, notification will be posted on office door.
Course description: This course prepares students to develop the necessary skills to work both
independently and dependently in the 21st century law office. Topics covered include the
following: legal timekeeping and billing procedures, creating and formatting legal memos and
correspondence, communication etiquette in a law office setting, time management, file and
document management procedures in a law office setting.
Prerequisites: At least a “C” in PAL 101 or permission of program director.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours per week:
3
Expanded description/Course Focus:
Texts: LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT FOR PARALEGALS, McGraw-Hill
Grades: Will consists of quizzes, homework, tests, mid-term, & final; Class participation will be
used to assess borderline grades.
Grading System: 100%-90% = A 69%-60% = D
89%-80% = B 59%-00% = F
79%-70% = C
Students who have an “A” average at the end of the semester will be excused from the final
examination.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will have a direct bearing on your grade. You will be allowed
three (3) absences for the semester. I will make exceptions for extreme circumstances (e.g. death
in the family). You will drop ½ letter grade for each absence exceeding three (3). Routine doctor
appointments or other appointments do NOT classify as extreme circumstances and instructor
may request/require documentation.
Students who come more than 15 minutes late or leave more than 15 minutes early will be
marked absent.
Chronic absence from class will result in administrative withdrawal. YOU ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL MATERIALS, TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS, ETC.
THAT YOU MISS!
Assignment Deadlines: The nature of the legal profession requires strict adherence to deadlines
and timetables, therefore, so does this course. Failure to follow and/or meet assignment deadlines
will result in a 50% reduction of the allocated points for that assignment. If an assignment is
more than 48 hours late, you will not receive credit for that assignment.
All assignments are to be transmitted electronically to the e-mail account listed on this syllabus.
With the exception of extreme circumstances (e.g. death in the family) excuses WILL NOT be
tolerated. Routine doctor appointments or other appointments and in most cases computer
“problems” do NOT classify as extreme circumstances and instructor may request/require
documentation.
Classroom Conduct Policy: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous,
responsible, mature manner in the classroom. This includes being prepared for class; informing
the instructor if you are going to miss class; not coming late, leaving during class, or leaving
early without prior notification and for legitimate reasons; not engaging in sidebar conversations
or being otherwise disruptive in class, harassing or distracting other students or the instructor,
making offensive comments, and turning off cellular phones during class.
Academic Honesty Policy: Students are expected to conduct themselves in an adult, ethical,
honest and professional way on assignments, research papers, and exams. Academic dishonesty
includes things like: cheating (this includes helping or being helped on exams or other
assignments that are to be done individually), putting your name on someone else’s work and
turning it in as your own, doing work someone else is supposed to be doing, and plagiarism.
You are responsible for your own work. If an assignment is given and you use an outside source
to complete that assignment, you must cite to that outside source.
Plagiarism and cheating in any form will automatically result in an F (0%) for that
assignment and may result in dismissal from the class, program, and/or the College.
Please note: If you are suspended or expelled from the College for academic dishonesty your
eligibility to receive financial aid from ANY institute of higher education will be
PERMANENTLY affected.
Social Justice Policy: WVNCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age,
disability, veteran status, color, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Any suggestions
as to how to further a positive and open learning environment in this class will be appreciated
and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a physical or psychological disability
and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate or succeed in this class,
please advise me AND contact the Office of Disability Services in Wheeling.
Emergency Announcement Procedures: WV Northern wants to take a moment to remind you
of safety and emergency procedures that must be followed while at the college. Please look
around this room and identify exit doors in the event of an emergency. Should a fire alarm
sound please exit the building using the nearest door and follow the direction of WVNCC floor
monitors or security/emergency personnel. Should you receive an announcement on this room’s
intercom to lockdown or shelter in place, please turn off all lights and move away from windows
and doors. You must remain at your location until instructed otherwise by security and or
WVNCC personnel.
In the event of a medical or other emergency, call (9)-911, if using a college phone and notify
college personnel of the emergency.
The College also wants to remind you we have a Text Alert system which you can sign up for
free of charge, the link is on your portal account on the left side. We will use this only in
emergency situations (including weather emergencies).
Continuity of Instruction: In the event that class is postponed or canceled, instructor will
inform students via e-mail and signs will be posted. Lecture notes and assignments for cancelled
classes will be sent via e-mail as well as the day/date of the instructors anticipated return.
Outcomes
The student will:
1. Explain the different professions & careers represented in a law office.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of legal timekeeping and billing procedures.
3. Create and format legal memos and correspondence.
4. Explain proper communication etiquette and ethics in a law office setting.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of time, file, & document management procedures in a law
office setting.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete Law Office Administration will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Know the different professions and careers represented in the law office.
Know proper telephone etiquette and skills.
Describe calendaring procedures.
Describe timekeeping and billing procedures.
Explain elements of file and document management.
Explain duties of a notary public.
Know the variety of mail services available and why each is used.
8. Describe how computers and other technological advances have changed the way
paralegals work.
9. Learn how to format and prepare legal correspondence.
10. Learn to create a legal memo using a template.
11. Explain dictation and transcription procedures.
12. Create a legal letterhead using word processing software.
13. Explain the messages received through nonverbal communication.
14. Know professionalism in a law office.
15. Have proper etiquette in law firm communications.
16. Explain time management techniques for a law office.
17. Define “time stealers” and how to properly deal with them.
18. Define “docket control”.
19. Explain what a docket control system does and why it is important.
20. Know the importance of and ability to build alliances in and out of the workplace.
21. Learn how to minimize conflicts and work with “enemies”.
22. Learn the importance of and ability to build a professional/personal power base.
23. Know how to deal with human dynamics in the law office setting.
24. Learn interviewing and counseling techniques for dealing with clients.