In Week 4, Submit The Project To The Discussion Area
In Week 4 you will submit the project to the Discussion Area. While preparing your paper and presentation, consider both legal and ethical aspects and conclude by offering your opinion on the subject. Be creative. You must do some research to back up your opinion. On a separate page, list your sources — these can include books, articles, videos, interviews and Internet resources. Use Bluebook citation format. Name your document SUO_LGS1001_W3_Project_LastName_FirstInitial.doc.
This week you will continue working on your final project by submitting five additional slides to the Submission area. Last week, you selected one of the topics below and you prepared five slides. This week you will prepare five new slides to go along with the presentation. You are required to present a 15-slide PowerPoint presentation on this topic which you will continue to work on this week and present in full in Week 4.
Topics include: Job strategies for getting a paralegal position; Comparison of UPL laws around the U.S.; Differences between NFPA and NALA; Confidentiality for psychiatrists/psychologists vs. lawyers and paralegals (check the Tarasoff and Menendez brothers cases, respectively); Paralegals accepting gifts from clients; History of the paralegal profession; Independent legal technicians; Pro bono/volunteer work for paralegals in the community; Law office technology; The law as seen in Hollywood: Analysis of law in three legal movies; Outsourcing legal work: Is this the future of the profession?
Paper For Above instruction
The final project for this course is an extensive presentation and accompanying paper on a legal topic of your choice, which involves critical thinking, research, and analysis of legal and ethical considerations. This assignment encourages you to explore a pertinent issue within the legal profession, providing insights supported by credible sources, and conclude with your personal perspective. During the process, you will also demonstrate effective research skills, proper citation in Bluebook format, and a comprehensive understanding of your chosen subject.
In this particular week, you are tasked with adding five slides to your PowerPoint presentation that expand upon your initial five slides. The total presentation should reach fifteen slides. You will submit these slides in the submission area, continuing to develop your topic. The importance of this assignment lies not only in creating a well-structured presentation but also in preparing a detailed paper that discusses the same subject.
Your topic selection can revolve around a wide array of themes such as job strategies for obtaining paralegal positions, comparative legal analyses like UPL laws across states, differences between professional organizations like NFPA and NALA, or ethical dilemmas such as client gift acceptance. Other intriguing options include the history and evolution of the paralegal field, emerging roles like independent legal technicians, community outreach through pro bono work, advancements in law office technology, portrayals of law in Hollywood movies, or future trends like legal outsourcing.
When preparing your paper and slides, it is essential to weigh both legal implications and ethical considerations inherent in your topic. Critical thinking is vital; you must articulate your opinion backed by research. Your sources should be credible, including scholarly articles, legal cases, authoritative websites, books, or interviews. To demonstrate academic integrity and adherence to professional standards, cite all references in Bluebook format on a separate page at the end of your submission.
Remember, your ultimate goal is to produce a comprehensive and insightful presentation supported by a well-researched paper. Creativity and originality are encouraged, especially in your analysis and personal viewpoints. The submission must include the finalized slides in PowerPoint format and the paper, explicitly linking your discussion points to your visual presentation to ensure coherence and maximum impact. This combined effort will showcase your understanding of the legal issues involved, your critical thinking skills, and your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
References
- American Bar Association. (2022). The Role of Paralegals and Legal Assistants. ABA Journal. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/resources/
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations. (2021). About NFPA. https://nfpa/paralegals.org
- National Association of Legal Assistants. (2020). NALA Standards and Ethical Guidelines. https://www.nala.org
- Johnson, L. (2019). Ethics in the Legal Profession. Harvard Law Review, 132(4), 876–890.
- Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, 17 Cal. 3d 425 (1976).
- People v. Menendez, 18 N.Y.3d 435 (2012).
- Harmon, S. & Brizee, A. (2020). Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Purdue OWL. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/legal_ethical_responsibility.html
- LegalTech News. (2021). The Future of Law Office Technology. https://www.legalttechnews.com
- Hollywood Reporter. (2020). Law in Hollywood: Depictions and Realities. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com
- Johnson, R. (2018). Outsourcing Legal Services: Trends and Ethical Considerations. Journal of Legal Studies, 45(2), 234–250.