On May 4, 2013, in California, a limousine caught fire that was caring a newlywed bride and her friends. The bride and 4 friends died in the fire since they were unable to escape the fire engulfed limousine.  The fire is under investigation and many questions remain as to how did the fire start and who is liable for the deaths of these women.

A possible cause of the fire could be a defective design of the limousine or one of the car’s components. If this is the case, then the victims’ families may wish to pursue a case against the manufacture for a defective design or part. Under this theory, the families would file a lawsuit based on strict liability. Strict liability is responsibility regardless of blameworthiness or fault.  If the defendant engages in a certain kind of conduct, such as a product defect, that causes harm, liability will result irrespective of intent, negligence, or innocence.

The families may also pursue a negligence case against the manufacturer and driver. The manufacturer could be liable for negligently assembling the limousine or failing to warn of an existing danger. The driver may also be negligent if he caused harm by failing to use reasonable care. We also can’t forget the limousine company, the driver’s employer, since it will be liable if the driver is found negligent under the respondent superior doctrine. Under this doctrine, the employer is liable for its employee in relation to those to whom the employer owes a duty of care.  Since respondeat superior is a form of strict liability, the limousine company will automatically be found liable if the driver is negligent.  The investigation is scheduled to take weeks, but it is almost certain that lawsuits on behalf of the victims are forthcoming in the near future.

The topics of negligence, strict liability, and respondent superior are all part of the Torts course in the AIPS paralegal certificate curriculum. To find out more information on the AIPS paralegal certificate program visit http://www.aips.com/

Janet Russeth, J.D.
AIPS Instructor

Civil Rights Law will be forever relevant.  But, what exactly is a civil right?  A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege.  If these rights and privileges are interfered with by another, legal action for injury can be pursued.

Enjoy this short introductory video on the role of a Civil Rights Paralegal.

The general paralegal certificate can be completed as quickly as 4 months. This means that you could be done and ready to work as a paralegal as soon as September, 2013. For those wanting a slower pace, there is the option of completing the paralegal certificate in 8 months. The paralegal certificate curriculum consists of 8 courses and two mandatory workshops.

General Practice:

·         American Jurisprudence

·         Business Law

·         Criminal Law

·         Estates and Trusts

·         Family Law

·         Legal Research

·         Litigation

·         Tort Law

·         Workshops: Lexis, Ethics, Law Office Skills, Administrative Law, Writing, Citation, Judgment & Analysis

Our next starting date is May 20th and there are still spots available. So make the most of your summer by earning a paralegal certificate from AIPS and getting started on a new career!   To find out more information on the AIPS paralegal certificate program, please visit our web site.

 “People who need help need someone to say, ‘We can do that!’.  It is gratifying to help those who don’t know where to turn.”  Chris Baker, 2009 Graduate

Chris Baker has worked as a Litigation Paralegal for the Kumpf Charsley & Hansen, LLC law firm located in Englewood, Colorado, since 2010.  Chris works on Construction Defect cases, as well as Estate Planning and Personal Injury cases.  Chris was unemployed for two months, prior to being hired by the firm.  There’s a special twist to Kumpf Charsley & Hansen hiring Chris.   

Chris didn’t apply for a position with her new firm.  They contacted her!  In 2008, Chris sent out letters to every attorney she knew, offering her services as an intern paralegal.  She asked them to pass the letter on to any attorney they knew who was hiring.  Two months after leaving her last employer…and two years after she sent out the letter…Chris was contacted by Kumpf Charsley & Hansen, LLC.  The law firm had received the letter she sent out years earlier and kept her in mind when they had an opening.   

Chris didn’t take the call lightly, she prepared for the interview.  Chris put together a portfolio that included her resume, AIPS and college transcripts, writing samples, forms and newsletters she created at other jobs.  She used an impressive black leather portfolio and noticed great attention was given to it during the interview.  “They even asked if they could have a copy of a check-off list I had created for Personal Injury,” says Chris. 

Each of us possesses personal skills and learned skills that support us as job applicants.  Chris’s leadership skills and experience in heading up volunteer projects transferred well to her position as a Litigation Paralegal.  Tackling large projects requires detective work.  There were times when Chris just had to dive in and figure out how to proceed.  She calls it “being able to follow through and follow up.”   Chris’s communication skills are impressive.  She has created Probate and Estate forms and templates, Personal Injury Questionnaires and check-off lists, as well as demand letters and daily communications with clients and businesses.  Chris’s strong time management skills are beneficial at home and at work.  All of these skills, paired with learned paralegal skills, set Chris up as a desirable job applicant. 

Following are specific job search strategies that worked for Chris.   

·         Send out letters to every attorney you know, and ask them to pass the letter on to any attorney they know who is hiring.

·         Network – Join paralegal associations and local organizations.   

·         Check out the background and history of the law firm    

o   Check for disciplinary actions brought against the firm or attorney

o   Check the law firm website for newsworthy or positive community activities to incorporate in an interview  

·         Create a portfolio that includes your resume, transcripts, writing samples and noteworthy accomplishments 

Chris believes AIPS impacted her career!  The Paralegal Certificate she received after graduating from AIPS gave her confidence to move forward with her paralegal career.  The real-world and comprehensive education prepared her for her paralegal career.  There were many times Chris thought, “Wow!  I remember that from AIPS!”  As an AIPS student, Chris appreciated the daily access to her AIPS professor, and associates much of her success to that accessibility.     

Chris’s final words of wisdom…Don’t let fear or intimidation hold you back.  Work your way through those obstacles.  Enjoy the fact that you are doing something new.  If you are Alumni, go for the CLA!  You can do it! 

 Apply now!

The news is saturated with stories about criminal acts.  Television programs dramatize the “I want to talk to my attorney!” phase of interrogations.  But, what happens after the call?  Let’s learn more about this area of law. 

Today is the perfect day to begin the quest for your Paralegal Certificate!  American Institute for Paralegal Studies (AIPS) allows you to choose the month you wish to begin, as well as the specific program you wish to study.  So, what’s holding you back?  Let’s spend a few moments to remind you   why you are a perfect fit for the AIPS 100% Online Paralegal Certificate Program!

You are self-disciplined and motivated!

Life is busy!  You need to manage your time…and you can.  You will be able to incorporate study time into your schedule.

•       AIPS classrooms are accessible 24/7 – Early Birds and Night Owls welcome!  Whooo knew! 

You communicate effectively through writing!

Writing doesn’t inhibit you, it frees you!  You will be able to complete your exercises with confidence and timeliness.

•       AIPS classes will sharpen your legal writing skills. 

You feel you can receive a quality education at an online paralegal school!

You have appreciated your traditional classroom experiences; however, you don’t feel you need the traditional classroom social interaction to be a successful student.  You feel confident in the expertise of your online school…and you feel confident in your ability to commit to an alternative educational experience.

•       AIPS online format is interactive; so, classroom discussion is both expected and encouraged!

•       AIPS has trained paralegals since 1978 – Over 15 years of online experience!

You have access to a computer and the internet!

You have a computer and internet access; plus, you feel comfortable and confident using it.  You will be able to participate in your virtual classroom with ease…after getting acquainted with the “campus”.

•       AIPS staff provides each student with prompt personal attention, guidance and support!    

You don’t want to pay for classes you won’t use!

Your desire is to learn the paralegal skill set…and to pay only for classes you need to be a paralegal. 

•       AIPS is affordable!  Check it out!  http://www.aips.com/tuition-and-financing/

You appreciate the portability, accessibility and convenience of an online paralegal school!

The thought of coming home from work and leaving, again, to go to class just doesn’t appeal to you.  You like the fact that you can come home, change into comfy clothes, and “go to class” when it fits your schedule.  You can take your classroom with you on business trips and vacations…a perfect fit for you! 

Convinced?!  Next class starts May 20!  Go to  http://www.aips.com/apply-now/ or call us at 1-800-553-2420!

AIPS Interactive Online Paralegal School Format

All online paralegal schools are not the same!  The difference between schools is quite similar to the difference between teachers.  Some teachers like the one-on-one connection with their students, while others feel more comfortable lecturing.  Let’s say that you, as a student, have the ability to choose a teacher.  Considering the two teaching styles we’ve mentioned, which teacher would you choose?  If you feel most comfortable sitting in the back of the classroom and looking over your notes, later, then a lecturer may be the best for you.  However, many…if not most… students feel they learn best when they are able to interact with an instructor, to develop a relationship with an instructor.  Would you agree that relationships breed interaction?  If so, then it isn’t unrealistic to assume that daily interaction with an instructor breeds learning.    

AIPS Interactive Online Format

AIPS wants you to succeed as a student and as a paralegal.  So, we have set up our online format with that goal in mind.  We believe interaction between student and instructor does facilitate learning.  Just how do we accomplish that? 

• Daily connection with instructors and classmates

o   Students are required, daily, to participate in Daily Questions (DQ)  

o   Students are required, daily, to read fellow classmates’ DQ postings and respond, if applicable

o   Instructors connect with students, daily, by monitoring DQ and all classroom activit

• Students receive personal attention, guidance and support

o   Faculty and staff are available by e-mail and phone

o   Prompt student services are a hallmark of the AIPS experience

Additional Advantages of the AIPS 100% Online Paralegal School 

AIPS interactive online format isn’t the only benefit of choosing AIPS! 

• Classes start monthly and are open 24/7

• You choose the program:

• General Practice – 4- or 8-month program
• Litigation Specialty Track – 4- or 8-month program

• Classes are comprehensive and real-life applicable 

• AIPS is experienced!!

• AIPS has been training paralegals since 1978 –  with over 15 years of online training experience
• Classes are taught by practicing attorneys and paralegals:

•  Business Law
•  Legal Research
• Litigation
• Criminal Law

• Our relevant workshops:

• Lexis, Ethics, Law Office Skills, Administrative Law, Writing, Citation, Judgment & Analysis

• National certification prep:

• CP (Certified Paralegal) Test Prep Course for NALA CP Exam

Ready to learn?  Next class starts May 20!  Visit our website or call us at 1-800-553-2420!

Two great sources as to the “hot areas” are About.com and the American Bar Association (ABA). First, let’s take a look at the areas cited by About.com. According to About.com the area of Litigation is booming.  As a result of the slow economy people and companies have turned to the legal system to recoup financial losses or are using the court system to avoid paying debts. Another result of the slow economy and high unemployment rate is the increase in bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy law is on the rise and continues to grow. Lay offs and a sluggish job market have also lead to more labor disputes. Many employees have turned to Employment law to file suits in the wake of large lay offs and downsizing. Finally, the slow economy has given way too many foreclosures. Foreclosure law has become a necessity for homeowners looking for some type of recourse as a result of the crashing real estate market. 

On a positive note, Environmental law is blooming due to the heightened awareness of going green, clean air, and alternative energy sources. Intellectual property law is also gaining momentum as we make advances in technology and science.

The ABA has made similar findings such as an increase in Real Estate law due to a weak real estate market. There is also an increase in Insurance Litigation and this area will continue to expand due to healthcare reform. The ABA also notes that we will see an increase in Elder law cases as more people are living longer.  All in all there are several “hot areas” to choose from when looking for a paralegal job, but the choice is yours to make!

To find out more information on the AIPS paralegal certificate program visit our website or call us at 1-800-553-2420.