Business Legal Studies
19 courses · Chaffey College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
BUSL 10 Introduction to Law and the Legal Process
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- LPPS 110
Exploration of the roles of the law, the courts, and the participants in our legal system. Examination of legal institutions and practices. Analysis of substantive laws -- from torts and contracts to consumer protection and civil rights -- and their effects. Consideration of the impact of individual plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers and jurists on the law and our legal system.
BUSL 28A Business Law I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- BUS 125
Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process and dispute resolution. Coverage of federal and state court systems. Comprehensive study of contracts under the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code. Other topics include sources of law, business ethics, constitutional law, tort law, agency, business organizations, and criminal law as applied to business.
BUSL 28B Business Law II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 28A or BUSL 10
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Special applications of law in business. Comprehensive study of commercial paper, creditors' rights, secured transactions, agency and employment, partnerships, corporations, personal and real property, and governmental regulation of business. Students analyze laws and rules, then apply appropriate concepts to factual scenarios in written and oral arguments.
BUSL 50 Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Advisory
- RE 410
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introductory course to acquaint students with current California real estate law, with emphasis on its application in real estate brokerage, legal, and related fields. Course is applicable toward the educational requirements for broker’s license and real estate salesperson’s license.
BUSL 400 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
Introduction to the roles and duties of a paralegal within the American legal system, and the relationships between paralegals, attorneys, and clients. Topics include: paralegal career options, ethical codes, law office investigations, litigation assistantship, legal research and writing, computer use, and general law office administration.
BUSL 401 Legal Research and Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Advisory
- BUSL 400; BUSTEC 455
Fundamentals of legal research, writing, and analysis for the paralegal. Topics include: reading and analysis of statutes; research using primary authorities, secondary sources, and computer-assisted research tools; law office writings, including transmittal and client opinion letters, pleadings, law office memorandums, case briefs, and memorandums of law; and legal citation rules.
BUSL 402 Civil Litigation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 400; BUSL 28A
Fundamental aspects of civil procedure, with emphasis on the roles of the paralegal in civil litigation. Topics include: evidence gathering and investigation, jurisdiction, venue, initiation of civil proceedings, pleadings (including complaints and answers), filing a lawsuit, discovery procedures, trial preparation and trial assistance, post-trial practice, and alternative dispute resolution.
BUSL 403 Evidence
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 28A
- Advisory
- BUSL 400
Study of the California Evidence Code, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and a paralegal’s role in the analysis and application of the rules of civil and criminal evidence. Topics include: evidence gathering and investigation, admissibility of relevant evidence, methods of proving character, modern competency rules, impeachment, testimony by lay and expert opinions, hearsay and hearsay exceptions, constitutional constraints on the admissibility of evidence, the impact of California's 1982 Proposition 8 (“Victim’s Bill of Rights”), and privileges.
BUSL 405 Legal Document Preparation and Law Office Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Advisory
- BUSTEC 40A
Creation of legal documents using word processing software. Focus on creation of litigation documents, correspondence, contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents. Creation of pleading captions, tables of contents, tables of authorities, pleading paper, headers, footers, office forms, etc. Students will also learn basic legal calendaring procedures, time keeping, legal filing systems, and how to edit, format, proof, save, and print legal documents.
BUSL 406 Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 401
Advanced legal research, writing, and analysis for the paralegal. This course builds on the skills acquired in BUSL 401. Students will refine legal analysis and citation skills, conduct legal research, and prepare sophisticated legal documents. Projects may include memoranda of points and authorities, office memoranda, client letters, briefs, motions, stipulations, judicial orders, and contracts.
BUSL 407 Criminal Law & Procedure
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
Basic principles of criminal and criminal procedure law for the paralegal. Study of the constitutional, statutory and rule-based issues that arise in criminal law and the formal processing of criminal cases. Topics include: the elements of common law felonies and misdemeanors, the principal defenses to criminal charges, key provisions of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments, the pretrial and trial process, sentencing, appeals, and remedies for constitutional violations. These topics are examined from the perspectives of lawyers, paralegals, and jurists on criminal law and the criminal procedure law.
BUSL 408 Bankruptcy and Debtor/Creditor Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 28A
Fundamentals of debt and debtor creditor relations, including debt creation, secured transactions, liens, and debt collection. Study of federal Bankruptcy Law and Bankruptcy procedures, including discharge, and reorganization. The paralegal’s role in Bankruptcy Law practice.
BUSL 409 Family Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
Basic principles of California family law for the paralegal. Topics include rights of parents and minor children, adoption, divorce, child custody, visitation, marital property rights, spousal and child support, family law litigation.
BUSL 410 International Business Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Advisory
- BUS 61
Legal aspects and ramifications of international trade. Multinational enterprises, sovereignty, technology transfer, arbitration, negotiation and diplomacy.
BUSL 411 Estate Planning and Probate Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
Fundamentals of estate planning and probate law for paralegals. Topics include estate planning, intestate succession, wills, trusts, community property, joint tenancy, guardianships and conservatorships, and powers of attorney.
BUSL 412 Immigration Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
Fundamentals of Immigration Law for Paralegals. Topics include client selection and interviewing, temporary and permanent visas, residency, preferences, asylum, citizenship, courts, agencies, immigration forms, and ethical issues for paralegals in immigration practice.
BUSL 413 Workers' Compensation Law
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- Completion with a C or better in: BUSL 28A or BUSL 400
Fundamentals of Workers' Compensation law for the paralegal. Topics include types of injuries and benefits, claims, medical treatment, benefits, litigation, appeals, settlement, and the paralegal's role in a workers' compensation practice.
BUSL 435 The Law of Marketing and Business Competition
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48-54 Lecture
- Advisory
- BUSL 28A
Introduction to legal principles relevant to the marketing of goods and services. Examination of the impact of the United States Constitution, antitrust, unfair competition, business torts, trademark, copyright, patents, consumer protection, and franchising laws on products, pricing, promotion, and distribution.
BUSL 496ABC Internships in Paralegal
- Units
- 1-3
Supervised internship in cooperation with private, public, and/or non-profit sector legal employers. Designed to apply knowledge and learn new skills directly related to the student's program of study, outside of the normal classroom environment. Placement is arranged through the instructor. Participation requirements may vary with the job setting. Course requires 54 internship hours for every one unit of credit.