The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

This specialized two-month program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the nuts and bolts of the litigation process, from the initial formulation of a claim or grievance, drafting of the complaint, service of process, discovery, motions and trial and post-trial practice. This course is essential for the paralegal professional who works in a litigation environment or aspires to have more levels of responsibility throughout the litigation process. The second course in this curriculum is Alternative Dispute Resolution, an increasingly important area of practice as litigants turn more frequently, either by choice, or as the result of contractual obligation, to mediators, arbitrators and other types of extra-judicial panels. It is important to understand how these extra-judicial bodies work and how they compare to the courtroom process. Students who successfully complete this program receive a Specialized Certificate in Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Textbooks: All textbooks are included in the tuition for this specialized certificate program.

Module 1: Civil Litigation

The student gains a thorough understanding of the major aspects of civil litigation, managing a case from beginning to end, from client interview, through the drafting of a summons and complaint, motions, briefs, and trial preparation. The instructor takes the role of judge. Students also learn about the history and structure of the major court systems.

Module 2: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is one of the most rapidly growing fields of law. However, ADR is still often overlooked as a field of study in law schools and paralegal programs.

In these four weeks, we explore, in-depth, the various methods of dispute resolution that do not necessarily involve having to enter a courtroom.

We will examine the various methods of dispute resolution that involve individuals exclusively, that involve both parties to the conflict working together to resolve their differences and the methods that involve putting the dispute into the hands of a neutral third party.

We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each ADR method, and the overall advantages and disadvantages of ADR as opposed to litigation in general.