Undergraduate Catalog 2011-2012
UDM Academic PoliciesCourse DescriptionsList of All ProgramsFaculty


LAD 3120 Law Practice Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course will serve as an introduction to the application of modern-day business practices in the private law firm. Topics such as establishing fees, billing practices, facilities management, tracking revenue and expenses, and the concept of delegating work to junior associates and legal assistants will be discussed in this course. In addition, the course will introduce the student to the different business entities that law firms can choose to adopt with discussion of the liability and tax implications of the varied business entities including professional corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and sole-proprietorships.
300

LAD 3200 Law Office Management
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course will serve as an introduction to the application of modern-day business practices in the private law firm. Topics such as establishing fees, billing practices, facilities management, tracking revenue and expenses, and the concept of delegating work to junior associates and legal assistants.
300

LAD 3400 Employment Relations
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


An overview of Employment Law as it relates to both private law firms and corporate legal departments with emphasis on regulations with respect to employment discrimination, privacy issues, affirmative action, sexual harassment, age and disabilities. In addition, a review of the doctrine of 'employment at will'.
300

LAD 3410 Legal Accounting
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


A review of accounting problems of the legal enterprise. Subjects covered include client trust accounting, professional corporation accounting records, client disbursement control procedures, integrating case management with law firm planning, budgeting and management reports.
300

LAD 3460 Human Resource Management in Law
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


A review of human resource and personnel management for the law firm including interviewing, hiring, discipline, performance evaluation, wages, developing position descriptions, termination and other related issues.
300

LAD 3510 Legal Accounting
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


A review of accounting problems of the legal enterprise. Subjects covered: client trust accounting, professional corporation accounting records, client disbursement control procedures, integrating case management with law firm planning, budgeting and management reports.
300

LAD 4110 Legal Computer Applications
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
CIS 1000 (Minimum Grade of D, May not be taken concurrently)


An update on computer applications in the law office, including recent innovations in legal software and hands-on application via demonstrations and outside and/or computer lab assignments.
300

LAD 4300 Leadership Skills
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


An overview of the leadership skills required of the Legal Administrator to enhance and encourage maximum job performance of the non-lawyer legal staff.
300

LAD 4500 Marketing the Law Firm
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


A review of recent innovations in marketing strategies for private law firms including a historical perspective on lawyers advertising, its impact on the profession and maintaining the ethical standard.
300

LAD 4520 Legal Website Design
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
LAD 4500 (Minimum Grade of D, May not be taken concurrently)


Practical aspects of using technology in marketing the law firm, including procedures and computer applications in designing a web page will be introduced in this course. Web page designers will be utilized as guest speakers. This class will be held in the computer lab.
300

LAD 4600 Legal Ethics
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


Basic principles of business ethics as applied in practical ways to the moral problems of management. The course focuses on real-world dilemmas with emphasis on the relationship between good ethics and good business and how it can affect and improve a manager's decision making. Students are offered practical guidelines that show managers how they can use their own common sense standards of integrity to help them take a fresh look at their business thinking. Specific applications are made to the private law office and corporate legal department.
300

LAD 4650 Personal Finance
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


Personal Finance is designed to teach non-business students the tools needed to better plan, analyze and control their own financial resources and practice effective personal financial management. The course is taught using a text book and study guide, guest speakers and current publications to educate students to meet their personal financial goals. Course work is comprised of text book homework, study guide questions, individual and group projects. Projects in class may be tailored to reflect an individual's personal interests and situations.
300

LAD 4900 Clinical Experience in Law Firm
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


This course has been designed for students who are unable to participate in an outside internship because of their work schedules. This course will be held on Saturdays from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. This course will be held at the law offices of Berg & McQueen,PLC in Bloomfield Hills. This course has been designed for both legal Assistant and Legal Administration students who wish to experience the private law office experience. The course will include legal document preparation, client interviewing, and an overview of law office management as well as personnel management as it relates specifically to a small private law firm.
300

LAD 4940 Legal Administration Internship
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours

Prerequisites:
LEGA 1100 (Minimum Grade of D, May not be taken concurrently)
LEGA 2800 (Minimum Grade of D, May not be taken concurrently)


Students are placed in private law firms, government or judicial offices or the public service sector for hands-on training in the basic tasks of a legal administrator. Students keep a daily journal or log of their assignments and must complete a term paper at the conclusion of the internship.
300

LAD 4990 Directed Readings
Credit HoursRecitation/Lecture HoursStudio HoursClinical HoursLab Hours


Students submit a topic to the sponsoring instructor for his/her approval. This proposal should be as specific as possible and should include a timeline for research and report drafts. Most often, the student's research will be summarized in a term paper.
300

College of Business Administration

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

College of Engineering & Science

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

College of Liberal Arts & Education

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

School of Architecture

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

School of Dentistry

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website

School of Law

Home | Contacts | Policies | Programs | Website



For more information about UDM, or to apply online, go to www.udmercy.edu/apply.


Print Friendly Print-friendly