The Department of Legal Studies

Computer Applications in the Legal Environment

LSPR 339

Fall 1999

PROFESSOR: Jack Baldwin LeClair, M.A. Ed.S. J.D.
TIME / LOCATION:
  • Wednesday 6:30-9:10 PM: DICKSON 282
OFFICE HOURS: Posted in Legal Studies Office, DI 331 and by appointment.
TELEPHONE:
  • School: 973.655.7953 - Voice Mail
  • Office: 973.538.2204
  • FAX: 973.655.7951

TEXTS:

  • Roper, Brent D., Using Computers in the Law Office 2d Edition, (St.Paul: West Publishing Company, 1996).

GRADING:

  • Midterm Examination: 30%
  • Final Examination: 40%
  • Classroom Participation: 10%
  • Homework and Computer Lab Assignments: 20%

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE

This course is a survey course. No prior computer knowledge is necessary or expected. The purpose of the course is as follows:

  1. To explore the importance of computers in the practice of law, and in the management of the law office.
  2. To acquaint the legal assistant with the use of a variety of computer tools available to assist the legal professionals in the performance of daily tasks.
  3. To understand how a computer can help perform specific tasks useful in a law office.
  4. To teach a basic level of computer literacy; an understanding of the terminology used by computer users in the legal field.
  5. To introduce the computer, its' component parts and their functions.

NOTES

  1. Reading assignments must be prepared in advance of the class meeting date.
  2. Not all course material is covered in the Manual. Examinations may include material covered by lecture, class discussion, handouts, demonstrations or lab sessions in addition to assigned readings.
  3. There will be no makeup examinations.(1)
  4. Grades will be lowered if assignments are completed late.
  5. Class attendance is mandatory and class participation will be rewarded.
  6. Recommended reference books and supplemental reading materials will be assigned.
  7. Students are encouraged to work cooperatively.

TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

All assigned chapters refer to the Course Manual. 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.

DATE - TOPIC

For full frame view click here: www.chss.montclair.edu/leclair/LS/compapp.html

9.07.99 Chapter 1, Computers and the Law - Resources at MSU and how the network operates ; Setting up your E-mail account ; Using the WWW Setting up your World Wide Web browser PART I - INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE COMPUTER
9.14.99 Chapter 2, Computer Hardware - Networks, micros, printers, modems, and monitors Wordprocessing assignment
9.21.99 Chapters 3 and 4, Computer Software - Windows 95/NT , Windows 3.1, DOS, UNIX; Applications. List of Key Terms on Software and Operating Systems PART II - GENERAL LAW OFFICE PROGRAMS
9.28.99 Chapter 5 and Chapter 13, Legal Document Preparation in the law office: WordPerfect and Word. Word at Microsoft http://www.chss.montclair.edu/leclair/LS/wordproc.html
10.05.99 Laboratory
10.12.99 Chapter 6, Database Management Systems - Access and dBASE. DBASE/Access at Microsoft
10.19.99 Laboratory
10.26.99*2 MIDTERM EXAMINATION #1 #2 Handout for the Midterm
11.02.99 Telecommunications and CALR - Chapter 8, , FTP, Gopher. WESTLAW , the Internet, Setting up your World Wide Web browser PART III - SPECIFIC LAW OFFICE PROGRAMS -
11.09.99 Laboratory
11.16.99 Chapter 7, Spreadsheets: Lotus/Excel. Excel at Microsoft WESTLAW ASSIGNMENT - Due 12.21.99
11.23.99 Laboratory Spreadsheet Practice Examination
11.30.99 Chapter 9 - Legal Timekeeping and Billing: Timeslips.
12.07.99 Chapters 10 and 11, Docket Control Review and Future of Legal Technology
12.14.99 NO CLASS HANDOUT FOR FINAL
12.21.99 FINAL EXAMINATION #2 6:30 pm FINAL PROJECTS DUE

(1)Makeup exams will only be given in the event of terrorist attacks, kidnappings, or death (yours).

(2)Withdrawal deadline to receive a WD with 0% refund.