BTAC 235 - Legal Office Procedures

Credits: 5
Provides a study of activities most often performed by a legal assistant. Topics include legal office environment, communication services and management, legal code of ethics, scheduling/docketing techniques, messenger services, Washington’s legal court system structure, legal billing procedures, wills/probate procedures, job search and informational interview, preparation of job-ready resume/portfolio, leadership, and human relations.

Prerequisite: BTAC 100, BTAC 102, and BTAC 109, all with a grade of 2.0 or higher. Recommended: BTAC 220 or concurrent enrollment.

Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this class will be able to:

Differentiate types of law practices and positions within a law office.
Demonstrate the Code of Ethics practiced in the legal environment.
Execute proper phone techniques and message taking for the legal office.
Implement proper procedures for legal file management.
Identify and apply procedures for appointment scheduling, docketing, and billing.
Examine and apply the Washington state legal research techniques and resources.

Program Outcomes

Implement calculator/computer technology to solve problems.
Integrate Microsoft Office software applications to present information in a meaningful manner.

College-wide Outcomes

Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.