Standard

 

PLS 103 - Legal Writing

Course Description

Focuses on the application and reinforcement of basic writing skills, familiarizes the student with types of writing typically engaged in by lawyers and legal assistants, and prepares the student for legal writing tasks. The student learns to write business letters as well as advisory documents. Topics include: legal analysis and legal correspondence and composition.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Legal Analysis

Class

5

Legal Correspondence and Composition

D. Lab

0

 

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

 

Credit

5

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

Program admission, ENG 191, PLS 101, PLS 102

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

LEGAL ANALYSIS               

10

0

0

Legal analysis and legal writing correlation

Describe legal analysis.

 

 

 

 

Describe legal writing.

 

 

 

 

Analyze the relationship between legal analysis and effective legal writing.

 

 

 

LEGAL CORRESPONDENCE AND COMPOSITION

40

0

0

Introduction

Describe the types of writing engaged in by lawyers and legal assistants.

 

 

 

 

Explain the purpose for each type of writing engaged in by lawyers and legal assistants.

 

 

 

Business letters

Identify required format for legal correspondence.

 

 

 

 

Prepare correspondence for attorney.

 

 

 

Legal and advisory memoranda and persuasive writing

Discuss the differences between advisory and persuasive writing.

 

 

 

 

Identify required format for legal memoranda.

 

 

 

 

Write memoranda of law in the proper format.

 

 

 

Introduction to briefs

Recognize format of briefs.

 

 

 

 

Explain why briefs are necessary.

 

 

 

 

Explain how briefs are used.

 

 

 

 

Write a persuasive argument.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Suggested Resources include textbooks shown below or most current edition.

 

Books

Dernbach, J. C., & Singleton, R. V. (1981). A practical guide to legal writing and legal method. Littleton, CO: Rothman.

Squires, L. B., & Rombauer, M. D. (1982). Legal writing in a nutshell. St. Paul: West.

 

Journals

ABA Journal

American Lawyer

Fulton County Daily Report

Georgia State Bar Journal

Legal Economics

Legal Professional

National Paralegal Professional

Paragraph