Department of Legal Studies

Advanced Computer Applications in the Legal Environment

LSLW541/LSPR441

SPRING 2001

INSTRUCTOR: Jack Baldwin LeClair, M.A., Ed.S., J.D.

CLASS MTG TIME AND LOCATION: Thursday, 6:30-9:10 P.M.

Dickson 331

OFFICE HOURS: Posted in Legal Studies Office and by appointment.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS: J.B.L. 973.538.2204// School: 973.655.7953

leclairj@chss.montclair.edu

TEXTS: No Computer text - all handouts. Although, the texts: Computers in Law, Roper, (West Publishing Company, St. Paul, MN., 1992) and How to Practice Law with Computers, Henry Perrett, (New York: Practicing Law Institute, 1989). are recommended as resources. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF HANDOUTS

GRADING: Midterm Examination: 40%, Final Project: 40%, Classroom attendance & Participation: 20%

Class Email and Web Site List

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE

This course is an advanced course. You must have had the computer fundamentals class for legal professionals at MSC or its equivalent and permission of the instructor. The purpose of the course is as follows:

1. To attain computer fluency by developing skills in applying computer technology in the practice of law, and in the management of the law office.
2. To acquaint the legal assistant with some of the more esoteric concepts and applications of hardware and software in the law office setting.
3. To develop a working knowledge of the hardware and software available to perform specific tasks useful in a law office.
4. To teach advanced level of computer fluency; an understanding of the more esoteric terminology and techniques used by computer users in the legal field.
5. To boldly go where no legal studies computer class has gone before.V
6. Reading assignments must be prepared in advance of the class meeting date.
7. Not all course material is covered in the readings. Examinations may include material covered by lecture, class discussion, handouts, demonstrations or lab sessions in addition to assigned readings.
8. There will be no written examinations.
9. Grades will be lowered if assignments are completed late.
10. Class attendance is mandatory.
11. Recommended reference books and supplemental reading materials will be made available during the semester. Specific reading materials will be assigned.
12. Everyone should have at least four (4) floppy disks (3 1/2" high density) of their own for program storage. Do not buy your disks from the bookstore before you get alternative prices.
13. Graduate Students will be held to a higher academic standard than undergraduate students.

TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments refer to the handouts and reserved reading materials. Specific assignments within the pages assigned may be announced in class. All topics will be covered on a flexible schedule depending on the needs of the class, scheduling of computer facilities and other factors. Preliminary dates are provided.