Purdue LS298 2020 October All Units Discussions Latest

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 1 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 1 Discussion Topic: Career Strategy

Research a few career opportunities that might interest you when you finish your degree. Explain why they interest you and the considerations that are important to you when selecting a career direction. Discuss practical methods for obtaining a lucrative career in the legal field. What steps have you taken to secure a desired employment position? What steps do you plan to take?

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 2 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 2 Discussion Topic: Skill Development

Discuss the importance of legal research and writing. How often do you think you will use the legal research and writing skills that you have recently developed? Share your learning experience regarding legal research and writing throughout your degree program. How have your skills improved? What areas still need some work? How do you think your skills compare to others competing for the same jobs you desire? Research some sources that support your points.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 3 Discussion

“There is another significant factor that adds to the aversion of technology adoption for lawyers. While many firms are exploring fixed fee and unbundled legal service models, the billable hour continues to be the most prominent revenue model for lawyers. Under this model there is little motivation to spend ‘unpaid’ time innovating, learning new technologies, or implementing tools that create lawyering efficiency.

“Several years ago a partner in a firm I worked for asked me to “automate” a lease he used for a large client who owned high-rise office buildings. The lease template was about 65 pages. It took me only a few hours to create an automated template. Using the template, it would take him only about 15 minutes to generate a first draft of the lease for new prospective tenants, whereas it typically took him about three or four hours of billable time to generate the lease manually. As I presented this automated template to the partner, he was very pleased with the results at first. Several minutes into my presentation, however, he asked the question that doomed the project: “How will I make any money from this?”

“The partner earned thousands of dollars in revenue based on the time it took to create the initial draft of the lease. He also earned revenue on the subsequent hours spent negotiating the final draft. With the automated solution, though, it would take only about 15 minutes or less to create the first draft. So based on a billable-hour model, his revenue expectations for this client would be cut nearly in half. I suggested that he consider changing his revenue model to charge a fixed fee for the creation of the lease and charge by the hour for any negotiation and modifications to that lease. He didn’t feel that the law firm would support this revenue model and decided not to implement the automated solution.”

Janis, B. (2014, May/June). How technology is changing the practice of law. GPSOLO, 31(3). Retrieved from: http://www.americanbar.org/publications/gp_solo/2014/may_june/how_technology_changing_practice_law.html

Unit 3 Discussion Topic: Bloated Billing

The article above illustrates an issue with technology and efficiency in general. If things take less time to produce, lawyers that charge hourly may not get paid as much to produce them. Do you think this leads to a reluctance to embrace technology in the legal field? Do you think it is acceptable for lawyers to operate without new technology? Should lawyers be forced to continually update or learn new technology in order to be more efficient? How should lawyers protect their income and still operate efficiently? Discuss the tension between technology and billing. Cite some sources that support your points.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 4 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 4 Discussion Topic: Mandatory Reporters

Many states require members of a certain profession or class of people to report instances of suspected child abuse. They call these people “mandatory reporters” and they are often the first contact in an investigation into a child abuse case. The law regarding mandatory reporters varies widely between states. Locate the laws for your state regarding mandatory reporters. Cite to and summarize the law. Compare the law to another state and discuss the similarities and differences with your classmates.

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 5 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 5 Discussion Topic: Snowden

Edward Snowden is a former CIA employee and government contractor who copied and leaked thousands of classified documents and other information about the NSA to journalists in 2013. He is a very polarizing figure. Some argue that he has violated the law and should be held accountable. Others argue that though he violated the law, he acted ethically as a necessary whistleblower on unethical government conduct, making him a hero. What are your thoughts? Perform some research on Edward Snowden and choose one side or the other to make an argument regarding legal ethics. Be sure to support your argument with authoritative sources.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 6 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 6 Discussion Topic: Living Constitution

U.S. Senator Al Franken says that “[o]ur laws need to reflect the evolution of technology and the changing expectations of American society. This is why the Constitution is often called a 'living' document.”

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said, “That’s the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to change with society, like a living organism, or it will become brittle and break. But you would have to be an idiot to believe that. The Constitution is not a living organism, it is a legal document. It says something and doesn’t say other things.”

Discuss whether you consider the U.S. Constitution to be living document that changes to accommodate social trends, or if it is an enduring document defined only by the terms that are written. Be sure to support your points with authoritative sources.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 7 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 7 Discussion Topic: Mediation

Mediation is a really popular choice for resolving disputes. In fact, many courts are now requiring parties to meet with a court-appointed mediator before a judge will hear the case. Mediation is very often successful, and it is generally cheaper than a traditional trial. Surprisingly, many mediators are not licensed attorneys.

Research and explain how to become a certified mediator in your jurisdiction. Discuss the benefits and detriments of mediation. Would you ever choose to involve a mediator in a dispute? Would you ever choose to be a mediator? What skills should a mediator possess in order to be successful? Be sure to cite your sources and respond to your classmates.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 8 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 8 Discussion Topic: Document Danger

Document security is an increasing concern for attorneys. Technology has exponentially increased the opportunity for forged or stolen documents. This is especially concerning for law firms that store confidential information electronically. If law firms do not maintain especially tight security, then they are at risk of malpractice exposure. Imagine how devastating it would be for a litigation attorney to discover during trial that the opposing side already knew the litigation strategy along with confidential information about the case. Research legal document security and discuss your thoughts regarding this important issue.

 

 

 

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 9 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion requirements, refer to your course syllabus or to the Discussion Grading Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 9 Discussion Topic: Drug Debacle

U.S. News & World Report states that, “[i]t's time, finally, to face the ugly truth. We've lost the war on drugs in America. We need a new playbook, now, before more lives are lost.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that fatal drug overdoses in America were the highest in recorded history in 2014. The news is grim. But what the new CDC data say about certain aspects of American society more broadly right now is even scarier, to be honest.”

Some jurisdictions are experimenting with repealing drug laws under certain circumstances. Research suggestions and efforts to change how we view and prosecute drug crimes. Do you find some arguments to be more persuasive than others? Do you think that changing drug laws is a significant issue? Do you think that the government should even have the authority to determine what a person chooses to ingest, drink, inject, or smoke? Discuss the state of American drug laws with your classmates. Be sure to cite authoritative sources that support your discussion points.

 

LS298 Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

Unit 10 Discussion

In the interest of conducting a lively, engaging discussion, please keep the following in mind: Opposing viewpoints are key to any vibrant discussion, but remember to use internet etiquette and be respectful of your classmates’ views and opinions. Provide constructive feedback or ask clarifying questions if you do not understand a classmate’s comment. Most importantly, have fun interacting with the unit content, your classmates, and your instructor!

For Discussion Board requirements, refer to your course Syllabus or to the Discussion Board Rubric, posted in Course Resources, Grading Rubrics.

Unit 10 Discussion Topic: Reflection

Now that you have completed this course, reflect on the outcomes as well as your personal goals for the course. This is not intended to be a mere recap of the course; focus on what you have personally learned and how it will affect your future academic and professional goals. Discussing what you have learned during the term will not only help you better process the information, but will help you enhance each other’s learning experience. Please reflect on the previous units and post a response that addresses the following questions:

What would you say was the most important new idea you encountered in this course and how did they change your understanding of legal philosophy?

What topic would you say was most interesting to discuss with your fellow students on the discussion boards or in seminar?

In what specific ways can you use the knowledge you’ve gained in this course in your chosen profession?

What areas of the subject would you like to continue to explore, and why?