Paralegal Studies
PLS F102 Introduction to the Law
3 Credits
Sources of law in the American tripartite system of government, with emphasis on state and federal court systems. Substantive law is studied, including business organizations and contract, criminal, education, elder, environmental, family, probate, real estate and tort law. Special fees apply. (3+0)
PLS F103 Introduction to Paralegal Skills
3 Credits
Introduction to the skills required of a paralegal in the job market, including drafting legal documents, pleadings and office correspondence, fact gathering through interviewing and investigating, use of the Internet and LexisNexis for legal research, pretrial procedures, focusing primarily on civil rules 30, 33, 34, 35 and 36, and assisting at trial. Special fees apply. (3+0)
PLS F105 Introduction to Paralegal Ethics
1 Credit
Introduction to the ethical obligations owed by both lawyers and paralegals to their clients, other lawyers, the court systems where they work and the general public. Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct and the canons of ethics promulgated by the two nationwide paralegal associations. Special fees apply. (1+0)
PLS F203 Torts
3 Credits Offered Spring
Study of the essentials needed to effectively assist an attorney in the filing or defense of claims based on personal injury and property damage. A basic vocabulary of legal terminology associated with tort law is studied together with important statutes and case law. Emphasis on Alaska law. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F210 Civil Procedure
3 Credits Offered Fall
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to effectively assist an attorney with the procedural aspects of civil litigations. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F213 Criminal Law for Paralegals
3 Credits Offered Spring
Study of both the substantive criminal law and the rudiments of criminal procedure, focusing on both Alaska law and procedure and important constitutional considerations associated with due process, search and seizure and Fifth Amendment rights. Learn and work with a basic vocabulary unique to criminal law and procedure. Note: Does not substitute for JUST F352. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F215 Contracts/Real Property
3 Credits Offered Fall
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to effectively assist an attorney with the preparation of contracts and real property transactions. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F240 Family Law
3 Credits Offered Spring
Basic vocabulary and concepts essential to understanding family law and assisting a practicing attorney. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F242 Employment and Administrative Law
3 Credits Offered Spring
Legal principles which define the relationship between employers and employees. Includes obligations imposed by Federal and Alaska state statutes and administrative regulations. Includes how administrative agencies are created and how they provide administrative law through promulgation of rules and regulations and through quasi-judicial decisions. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F250 Probate Law
3 Credits Offered Fall
Basics of probate law and the uniform probate code. Includes the preparation and interpretation of wills, administration of decedent's estates, intestate succession laws, guardianships and other related probate matters. Focus on Alaska statutes and probate rules. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F260 Computers in the Law Office
3 Credits Offered Spring
Introduction to the role of computers in the law office. Includes hardware and software. Use of word processors, spreadsheets, databases, computer-assisted legal research, the Internet and electronic mail, and litigation support, case management and bookkeeping/billing software. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; CIOS F150; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F275 Business Organizations
3 Credits Offered Fall
Benefits and shortcomings of the three basic business forms: corporation, partnership, and sole proprietorship. How to form each business form, how to operate it according to relevant laws and regulations, and how to dissolve the business. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F280 Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals
3 Credits Offered Spring
Legal research skills using law library methods, LexisNexis and the Internet. Read and understand authorities from three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. Emphasis on precedent from Alaska and federal court systems. Includes writing skills from drafting of law office correspondence to preparation of court pleadings and briefs. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F101 or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PLS F285 Advanced Legal Writing
2 Credits Offered Spring
Expand on writing skills previously learned by drafting documents regularly assigned to practicing paralegals. For example, pleadings to be filed in court, legal documents, such as contracts, wills and those used by business organizations, office correspondence, deposition summaries and interoffice legal memorandums. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PLS F102; PLS F103; PLS F105; PLS F280. (2+0)
PLS F299 Paralegal Studies Internship
3 Credits
An internship involving a minimum of 150 hours of work under the supervision of an attorney, and, when available, a practicing paralegal for that attorney in a local law office or law-related situation. Must seek approval of faculty advisor for admittance. Note: Students meet as a class only once. All subsequent classes or meetings with UAF faculty advisor are arranged by individual student(s) and advisor. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Must have completed at least 75% of paralegal studies degree requirements with a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA or approval of UAF faculty advisor. (3+0)