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LAW 105 Law Office Management (3)
3 hours lecture per week
Recommended Preparation: Credit in or qualification for ENG 100 or ESL 100.
Comment: LAW 105 was formerly LAW 201. Supplies may cost approximately $20.
LAW 105 is an introductory course focusing on the business of law and the fundamentals of law office management, organization, and systems. It is designed with practical applications for entry-level paralegal or legal secretary students to better understand their role in the law office and how to perform tasks more efficiently. Topics include the legal team, law firm, governance, legal administration and technology, client relations, legal fees, timekeeping and billing, client trust funds, law office accounting, file and records management, and other legal topics. Ethical considerations and legal malpractice examples are also discussed.
Upon successful completion of LAW 105, the student should be able to:
- Identify and describe the different types of law offices including organization, management, and personnel structure
- Define and explain the functions of legal administration including conflict management, client relations, personnel, docket/case management systems, billing systems, etc.
- Explain the role of technology in the management and administration of the law office
- Define and explain the unauthorized practice of law, conflicts of interest, voluntary ethical codes, privilege, and other topics of ethics and legal malpractice associated with working in a law office
- Identify factors that promote effective client relations
- Explain the different types of legal fee agreements and retainer fees
- Explain timekeeping and billing systems and billable vs. non-billable time
- Describe the importance and purpose of client trust funds, law office accounting, and methods used for determining cost of legal services
- List the factors to be considered in creating a reliable system for transmitting and filing legal documents and information pertinent to the law practice
- Explain the operation and maintenance of the firm's law library