Paralegal
11 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
PLGL 131 CURRENT ETHICAL ISSUES FOR PARALEGALS
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hours per week: (1.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
Examines current ethical issues for paralegals using case law and examples of lawyer and paralegal misconduct.
PLGL 147 INDEPENDENT STUDIES: PARALEGAL
- Units
- 0.5 to 2
- Hours
- 1.5 to 6 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/1.50 - 6.00 lab hours)
- Prerequisite
- The student must have completed preparatory course work in the field in which the study is to be undertaken.
Provides an opportunity for an in-depth study or a practicum experience by an individual student in a selected topic of Paralegal under the direction of an instructor.
PLGL 201 INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL STUDIES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the professional responsibilities of the paralegal, including rules regarding ethical conduct and a basic overview of the legal system and research. Covers different law office management functions commonly performed by paralegals such as basic correspondence, billing and financial management, calendar and docket control management, file and record management, and library management.
PLGL 203 PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 8 hours per week: (0.50 lecture hours/7.50 lab hours)
- Advisory
- PLGL 220 PLGL 201 PLGL 205
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides students an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of an employee in a legal setting related to their courses in paralegal studies.
PLGL 205 CIVIL PROCEDURE AND LITIGATION
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 5 hours per week: (3.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the principles and management of civil litigation in state and federal courts including pretrial, trial, and post trial practice and procedures. Covers pleadings, discovery, pretrial motions, trial preparation, trial motions, trial assistance, post trial motions, enforcement of judgments, and appeals. Procedures used in case settlement and in alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration will also be covered.
PLGL 206 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the student to the substantive law and procedural aspects of business organizations, including sole proprietorships, partner ships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Includes a study of the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different business organizations as related to formation, management, liability, dissolution, regulation, and taxation. Also includes an overview of such related areas as agency law, employment law, and business ethics.
PLGL 207 FAMILY LAW
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the fundamental principles of California Family Law along with the terminology, procedures, and legal document and form preparation involved in family law matters. Topics include an overview of California law regarding marriage versus domestic partnerships, principles of community property law, marital and cohabitation agreements, legal separations, marital and domestic partnership dissolutions, annulments, spousal and domestic partner support, child custody and support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence.
PLGL 208 ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the fundamental principles of estate planning and administration along with the terminology, procedures, and legal document and form preparation involved in estate planning and administration matters. Topics cover aspects of estate planning including the preparation of wills, trusts, and related documents along with aspects of estate administration including probate proceedings and estate disposition outside of probate.
PLGL 209 TECHNOLOGY IN THE LAW OFFICE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (2.50 lecture hours/1.50 lab hours)
- Advisory
- CIS 210
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the student to the use of technology by paralegals in the law office. Includes an overview of technology in the law office and the ethical issues raised by the use of such technology. Covers computer applications in the law office including word processing and document assembly, spreadsheets, database management, law office management, case management and litigation support as well as electronic discovery. Also covers computer assisted legal research including CD-ROM and internet legal and factual research.
PLGL 210 DEBT COLLECTION & ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Explains the procedures, forms, and strategies for enforcing and satisfying a monetary judgment. Covers state and federal laws relating to consumer and business debt collection. Includes secured vs. unsecured debt, judicial liens, writs of execution, levying on personal and real property, preparing wage garnishments, claiming exemptions, and ethical considerations relating to debt collection.
PLGL 220 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides an introduction to the fundamental aspects of legal research by an in-depth analysis of case law, statutory law, and administrative law on both a federal and state level. Students will learn to locate authority relevant to selected legal issues. This skill is applied to writing clear and concise briefs, opinion letters, and memoranda, employing the IRAC (issue, rule, analysis, conclusion) legal analytical formula.