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Legal Secretary Training

Available in Live Lecture and Online Formats

This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. Students will study such topics as: legal terminology; legal process; jurisdiction and venue; ethics; written communications including letters, pleadings, discovery, notices and motions; filing procedures, billing and accounting; time management; records management; an overview of commonly used word and data processing programs; legal research; memoranda preparation, and citation format.

Successful graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Stony Brook University.

Session 1: During this first session students will receive an introduction to the theory of law, the legal process, and the nature of the practice of law. Discussion will include the process of law as well as the specific legal terminology. Ethics are also covered.

Session 2: This session addresses the particulars of law office management. Also, this session studies technology in the law office. Students will be exposed to actual court documents and will prepare some of these documents as part of their homework.

Session 3: The final session will be spent examining the intricacies of the law office, including office procedure manuals, billing techniques, and overall management techniques of the law office. Students will also be introduced to the basics of legal research and proper citation format. Job search strategies and placement possibilities will also be discussed.

Live Lecture Schedule
Classes meet for three weekends on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building on the campus of Stony Brook University.

2013 LIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

Winter 2013: January 19 - February 3, 2013 
Spring 2013: March 16 - April 7, 2013 
(No classes will be held on March 30 & 31 in observance of Easter.)
Summer 2013: June 8 - June 30, 2013 
(No classes will be held on June 15 & 16 in observance of Father's Day.)
Fall 2013: October 5 - October 27, 2013 
(No classes will be held on October 12 & 13 in observance of Columbus Day.
)

Refund Policy for Live Lecture Courses: We understand that your schedule may change at the last minute and prevent you from attending this course. If you must cancel your registration, please call us at least one week in advance of the program and we will issue you a refund. No refunds will be given after the first class meeting.



Online Schedule
New sessions begin every 8 weeks.

2012-2013 SCHEDULE

FALL 2012 II: October 15 - November 30, 2012
SPRING 2013 I: January 14 - March 1, 2013
SPRING 2013 II: March 11 - April 26, 2013
SUMMER 2013 I: May 6 - June 21, 2013
SUMMER 2013 II: July 1 - August 16, 2013
FALL 2013 I: August 26 - October 11, 2013
FALL 2013 II: October 21 - December 6, 2013

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Textbooks

Required Textbooks

Legal Secretary Handbook,  $38, most recent edition
Author: Scott A. Hatch, J.D., and Lisa Zimmer Hatch, M.A.
Publisher: The Center for Legal Studies

Uniform System of Citation $35, most recent edition
Publisher: Harvard Law Review

Recommended Materials
Oran's Dictionary of the Law, 4th edition, $35, ISBN: 978-1-4180-8091-4

Westlaw Access (online legal research), $75 for the duration of the class.

Course materials are available from The Center for Legal Studies Bookstore. Please call 1-800-522-7737 to obtain book titles, pricing, and shipping information or visit the Center for Legal Studies website at http://www.legalstudies.com. Books ordered from The Center for Legal Studies during the week immediately prior to the beginning of class may incur an additional FedEx fee.

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Instructors
The program is coordinated by our educational partner, The Center for Legal Studies, which has been offering paralegal programs nationally since 1980. His courses are currently offered at over 600 universities and colleges across the U.S. and his "Law for Life" series is featured on cable. He is listed in Who's Who in California and Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He is the author of several textbooks including Paralegal Procedures and Practices published by West/ITP. This course will be taught by experienced legal professionals including renowned Legal Nurse Consultant, Jennifer Graham, RN.

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Course Fee
The course fee is $575, plus a $10 registration fee.

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Registration

To register for this course, visit The Center for Legal Studies website.

If you are taking the course on-site, you'll need directions to your class.

If you would like additional information on the this program, please contact the Center for Legal Studies at 1.800.522.7737 or visit their website.

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Related Programs

Paralegal Certificate Course

Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate Course


© Copyright 2010 School of Professional Development at Stony Brook University.
Last modified on 10/12/12.