Case Preparation, Technology, and Ethics

This unit advances paralegal competencies in organizing case materials, leveraging digital tools, and upholding professional ethics in preparation for trial and client interactions. Students will integrate eDiscovery, modern legal research, evidence handling, and communication skills to produce accurate, court-ready work while applying rules of professional responsibility.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and design comprehensive case organization systems (file management, CRMs, evidence indexing, and chain-of-custody procedures) that incorporate eDiscovery workflows and AI-assisted tools while ensuring compliance with ethical and procedural requirements.
• Apply modern digital legal research techniques and online resources to locate authority, accurately format citations, and produce polished legal memoranda and briefs using accepted citation formats.
• Demonstrate professional communication and client/witness preparation skills, including preparing witnesses for testimony, disclosing paralegal status, interacting courteously with court personnel, and following reporting obligations for ethical violations.
• Evaluate evidentiary issues by applying fundamental Federal Rules of Evidence concepts, assessing admissibility and witness credibility, organizing evidence for trial support, and proofreading final documents for accuracy in cases such as personal injury, medical malpractice, and employment disputes.