September 28, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 9/28, we did some interviewing with an eye toward clarifying the commencement of representation. We went over the textbook questions on confidentiality, and reviewed both the Maine Bar Rules and the Maine Evidentiary Rules of attorney-client privilege regarding the textbook scenarios. The assignment for Tuesday 10/3 is to prepare (typed; to be graded; print 2 copies) a summary of Ethics Opinion 156, which can be found at

http://www.mebaroverseers.org/Ethics%20Opinions/Opinion%20156.htm



PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday 9/28, we went over the Fuschetti brief. I distributed a handout that revises the format for case briefing. The assignment for Tuesday 10/3 is to prepare (typed; to be graded; print 2 copies) a case brief of State v. Tozier, 2006 ME 105. (If you were not in class, you can e-mail me so that I can send you a copy of the new format.)

September 26, 2006

PL 100-- Intro. to Paralegal studies
In class today, Tuesday 9/26, we went over the Brown Grievance Commision decision. On Thursday, we will begin by doing interviewing based on the lessons of the Ethical Lawyer article and the Brown decision. The assignment for Thursday 9/28 is to read pp.71-78 of the text. Read the two handouts (one the Maine Bar Rule 3.6 (h),

http://www.mebaroverseers.org/Home/Code%20of%20Professional%20Responsibility.html

and the other Maine Rule of Evidence 501 and 502).

http://www.courts.state.me.us/rules_forms_fees/rules/MREvidOnly7-05.htm

Prepare to discuss Practice question #3 on p. 103.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 9/26, we went over the Shea case brief. The assignment for Thursday 9/28 is to do a case brief of the recent Maine Supreme Court case of `Fuschetti v. Murray, 2006 ME 100.

http://www.courts.state.me.us/opinions/2006%20documents%20/06me100fu.htm

Follow the same format as we used for Shea. This assignment should be typed, and will be graded.

September 21, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 9/21, we talked some more about the Savasuk case, the Sample Summary of that case, and what lessons can be learned from the case. We also talked about the article from the Ethical Lawyer newsletter. The assignment for Tuesday 9/26 is to write up a Summary of the Brown Grievance Commission decision, following the format of the Savasuk Sample. This assignment is to be typed, and will be graded. Please print 2 copies of your work, so that you can make your comments for yourself on one, and can hand in the unmarked other copy.

PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday 9/21, we went over the statutory research questions and their format. We went over Chapter 3 of the text. We also went over the textbook statutory analysis homework assignment. The assignment for Tuesday 9/26 is to read chapter 4 of the text. Then do Assignment 10(c) on p. 131, following the format of the Sterling brief on p. 127 (except to delete the Reasoning and Comments components). This assignment is to be typed up and handed in, but will only be graded pass/fail.

September 19, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 9/19, we discussed the Ethical questions at the end of chapter 2, the handout regarding the DOL exempt status ruling for paralegals, the text pp.63-71, and the Savasuk decision. I distributed 3 handouts: a sample summary, the Ethical Lawyer handout, and the Brown decision. If you missed class, I left a copy of the handouts for you in my mailbox in room 300. The assignment for Thursday, 9/21 is to read and prepare to discuss the handouts.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 9/19, we discussed the results of your statutory research. We completed the tour of the Library. I distributed two handouts, the Maine Rule of Evidence regarding spousal privilege and a list of the Maine Rules available on the Maine Courts website. If you missed class, I left a copy of the handouts for you in my mailbox in room 300. The assignment for Thursday, 9/21 is to read Chapter 3 of the text. Then write out to hand in Assignment 9(b)(c) and (d) on page 95 and Assignment 14(c)(1-6) on page 96, using the Maine rule of spousal privilege instead of the rule given in the textbook (to be graded).

September 14, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday, 9/14, we started by doing more practice interviewing. I distributed 2 handouts, one on the Department of Labor regulations regarding overtime for paralegals, and the other a Maine Grievance Commission decision. We discussed some of Chapter 2 of the text. The assignment for Tuesday 9/19 is first to review your responses to the ethical questions at the end of Chapter 2. Read the handout regarding overtime. Read pp. 63-71 of the text, and the Grievance commission decision. Prepare to discuss all of these. (If you missed class, I left copies of the handouts for you in my mailbox in the Science and Humanities office, Room 300.)

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Thursday, 9/14, we went over two of the assignments at the end of Chapter 2. I handed out statutory research problems, and we went to the Husson library for the beginning of the library tour. The assignment for Tuesday 9/19 is to type up the results of your statutory research (to hand in, but not graded other than to acknowledge that you successfully completed the assignment.)

September 12, 2006

PL 100-- Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 9/12, we first searched for a classroom. I did check with the registrar at the end of the day, and was told that we were scheduled to continue to meet in room 236, so that's the plan. We went over the concepts in Chapter 1 of the text, and the ethical questions at the end of the chapter. We also started practicing doing interviews. The assignment for Thursday 9/14 is to read Chapter 2 of the text, and prepare to discuss the Ethical questions at the end of that chapter.

PL 205-Research
In class today. Tuesday 9/12, we went over the concepts of Chapter 1 of the text, and assignments 4 and 5 at the end of the chapter. The assignment for Thursday 9/14 is to read Chapter 2 of the text, and to prepare to discuss assignments 2 thru 5 at the end of the chapter.

September 7,2006

PL 100--Intro tp Paralegal
In class today, Thursday September 7, we discussed the articles from the handouts distributed last Tuesday, The assignment for Tuesday September 12 is to read the Introduction to the Student, and Chapter 1. Prepare to discuss the two ethical questions on page 20.

PL 205---Legal Research
In class today, Thursday September 7, we discussed the rest of the review questions, and began our discussion of Chapter 1 of the text. Since we did not get to discuss questions 4 and 5 at the end of the chapter, the assignment for Tuesday September 12 is to review the rest of Chapter One and those two questions at the end of the chapter.

September 5, 2006

PL 100--INTRO. TO PARALEGAL
In class today, Tuesday September 5, I distributed six handouts: the syllabus, the Maine paralegal and UPL statutes, and four magazine articles. The assignment for Thursday September 7 is to read all of the handouts, and prepare to discuss them.

PL 205--LEGAL RESEARCH
In class today, Tuesday September 5, I distributed two handouts: the syllabus, and a sheet of review questions. We went over most of those questions, and we will finish them on Thursday, Sept. 7. The rest of the Thursday assignment is to read Chap. 1 of the textbook, and to prepare to discuss assignments 4 and 5 on pp. 23-24.