Civil Procedure concerns the rules and principles that govern the litigation of a civil case. Whatever grievance or injury an individual might have, there is no legal recourse available to them without the proper application of civil procedure to their claim. Successful legal professions must have a comprehensive understanding of the ins and outs of civil litigation and the complex procedural and systemic issues related to how and where a lawsuit is filed. With any civil case or controversy, the first steps to civil litigation include an evaluation of personal and subject matter jurisdiction, venue, the notice required once a lawsuit has been filed, and which substantive law – state or federal – should apply. Once these critical evaluations are made, the case will proceed accordingly and requires legal professionals to be familiar with the various stages of a lawsuit, including: pleading; structuring the lawsuit; discovery; termination of a lawsuit without trial; trial; and actions that may be taken after a jury verdict or bench trial.
Because they affect every aspect of civil litigation, an understanding of these rules and processes is essential to the everyday work of any legal professional. For individuals looking toward law school or who are interested in the paralegal profession, this program offers an incredibly useful and realistic look into the actual work that lawyers and legal professionals do every day. This program explores the process and procedures associated with a civil case. It includes the initial client interview and fact gathering, preparations of pleadings, trial preparation, post-trial procedure, ethical considerations for handling a civil law case, and the application of technology in the preparation and trial of a law suit. Although reference is made to state laws, the course concentrates on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
After completing this program, learners will be able to:
After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.
National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Civil Litigation (L-CIV) |
Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience. As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.
Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.