Curriculum for Aspiring Paralegals

The Pro Se Legal Studies Institute - Paralegal Program in Houston, Texas, is dedicated to providing quality legal instructions to all students. In this 9-month program, we teach you everything you need to know in order to thrive as a legal professional.

The Pro Se Legal Studies Institute - Paralegal Program’s curriculum introduces you to the legal system and teaches you the information and skills you’ll need to successfully support an attorney, including the preparation for legal research, drafting legal documents, and assembling the strategies needed for trial. You will graduate with an understanding of substantive law as well as procedural practices that will enable you to better understand the structure of the federal and state court systems.  The Program is designed into 8 separate parts over a 9-month period as follows:

The Week Number & the Class Period for the Week:  Example, Second Week / First Class is (01-01)

Topic Covered During the Class Period ("Continued" means that the same topic takes 2 class periods)

SPRING SESSION STARTING JANUARY 4, 2021

Part I – The Court System, Jurisdiction and the Plaintiff’s Petition (6 weeks)

01-01 January 4, 2021:

Course Introduction; Bad Conduct v. Criminal Acts; Causes of Actions – The codification of bad conduct

01-02 State Personal Jurisdiction (Natural Person) Minimum Contact; Federal Personal Jurisdiction (Natural Person) Diversity and Federal Question; Description of the state & federal court system (trial courts, appellate courts & supreme courts)

02-01 January 11, 2021:

QUIZ No. 1; State & Federal Personal Jurisdiction over (non-Natural Persons) Corporations, LLC, Partnership & Sole Proprietary

02-02 Subject Matter Jurisdiction (Monetary & Subject); Venue; Introduction of IRAC format

03-01 January 18, 2021:

QUIZ No. 2; Plaintiff’s Original Petition - Components

03-02 Burden of Proof (Policing): Reasonable Suspicion & Probable cause

Burden of Proof (Judicial): Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Clear & Convincing and Preponderance of the Evidence

04-01 January 25, 2021:

QUIZ No. 3; Service of Process: Citation & Petition, TRCP Rule 106 & 103, Request for Process & Return of Service

04-02 Damages: Compensatory, Punitive, Injunctive, Specific Performance, & Nominal

05-01 February 01, 2021:

QUIZ No. 4; Probate Law (Substantive Law Discussion 1) Application for Probate of Will & Estate Code

05-02 Probate Law continued …Application for Letters of Administration & Application for Heirship

06-01 February 08, 2021

Probate Law continued …

06-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Weeks 1-6

Part II – Defendant’s Original Answer and Other Claims Discovery (6 weeks)

07-01 February 15, 2021

Defendant’s Original Answer Overview, & Parts of the Pleading;

07-02 No Answer (Default Judgment)

08-01 February 22, 2021

QUIZ No. 1; Defendant’s Response on the merits, General Denial & Special Exceptions (including verified responses) & Timeline

08-02 Defendant’s Affirmative Defenses (16)

09-01 March 01, 2021:

QUIZ No. 2; Third-Party Claims; Intervention - TRCP Rule 60; Impleaders - TRCP Rule 43; Next Friend -TRCP Rule 39; & Joinder of persons needed for adjudication - TRCP Rule 44.

09-02 TRCP Rule 97: Counterclaims & Cross Claims; & TRCP Rule 42: Class Action Litigation.

10-01 March 08, 2021:

QUIZ No. 3: Review of Third Party Claims & Parties; TRCP 28 – Assumed names; TRCP 29 – Dissolved Corporation; Supplemental & Amended Pleadings; Live case - Washington

10-02 Pleadings: TRCP 37 additional parties; Mandatory intervention; Dispositive Motions: Summary Judgement & No Cause of Action (TRCP Rule 91a)

11-01 March 15, 2021:

QUIZ No. 4: Domestic-Family (Substantive Law) Divorces GUEST SPEAKER – ATTORNEY BOBBIE YOUNG & LEGAL CLINIC CLIENT (45 Minutes)

11-02 Domestic-Family Law continued …

12-01 March 22, 2021:

Domestic-Family Law continued …

12-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Weeks 7-12

Part III – Discovery (Identifying the Facts) and Sources of Law & Legal Research (6 weeks)

13-01 March 29, 2021:

Written Discovery – Introductory Rules; Request for Disclosures (Rule 194)

13-02 Written Discovery – Request for Production & Inspection (Rule 198);

14-01 April 05, 2021:

QUIZ No. 1; Written Discovery – Request for Admissions (Rule 197)

14-02 Written Discovery – Interrogatories (Rule 196)

15-01 April 12, 2021:

QUIZ No. 2; Oral Discovery – Depositions

15-02 Legal Research I – US Constitution

16-01 April 19, 2021:

QUIZ No. 3; Primary Sources of Law – Caselaw; Citations for Locating Cases (Discussion on Case Reporters)

16-02 Primary Sources of Law – Caselaw; Citations for Locating Cases (Discussion on Case Reporters)

17-01 April 26, 2021:

QUIZ No. 4: Criminal Law (Substantive Law Discussion 3) Divorces

17-02 Criminal Law continued …

18-01 May 03, 2021:

Criminal Law continued …

18-02 6-Week Examination

Spring Intermission (Week of May 10, 2021)

Part IV – Causes of Actions – Motions (6 weeks)

*19-01 May 17, 2021:

Discussion on Civil Causes of Actions (Torts). The topic focuses on negligence; (1) the creation of a duty, (2) the breach of the duty, (3) causation and (4) resulting 

damages

19-02 Discussion on Civil Causes of Actions (Torts). The topic focuses on the intentional torts, comparative and contributive jurisdictions

20-01 May 24, 2021:

QUIZ No. 1; Discussion on Civil Causes of Actions (Contracts). Discusses the formation of contracts, including the offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual assent, and execution. The lecture also discusses the termination of contracts through compliance, breach, accord & satisfaction. The obligations of minors and other parties to the contract.

20-02 Discussion on Civil Causes of Actions (Contracts) continues

21-01 May 31, 2021:

QUIZ No. 2; Discussion on Criminal Causes of Action (Crimes against persons); indictments and prosecution (e.g., homicides, assault, battery, robbery, sexual assaults, etc.)

21-02 Discussion on Criminal Causes of Action (Crimes against property); arson, burglary, trespass to real property, etc)

22-01 June 07, 2021:

QUIZ No. 3; Motion pleading - Jurisdiction

22-02 Motion pleading – Venue

23-01 June 14, 2021:

Class canceled

23-02 QUIZ No. 4 (Re-Scheduled to June 16, 2021, due to canceled class –instructor out sick)Motion pleading Discussion of different types of motions (1) Motion for Continuance, (2) Motion to Transfer Venue, (3) Motion – Plea to the Jurisdiction, and (4) Motion…

00-01 June 21, 2021: (1st Makeup sessions due to winter storm))

QUIZ No. 4: Motion pleading: Discussion of one motion each one-half hour; (1) Motion for Leave (2) Motion …, (3) Motion …, and (4) Motion …

00-02 (2nd Make up sessions due to winter storm) Motion pleading: Discussion of one motion each one-half hour (6 motions); (1) Motion …, (2) Motion …, (3) Motion …, (4) Motion …, (5) Motion … and (6) Motion …

24-01 June 28, 2021

Motion pleading: Discussion of one motion each one-half hour; (1) Motion …, (2) Motion …, (3) Motion …, (4) Motion …, (5) Motion … and (6) Motion …

24-02 6-Week Examination (25 questions)

Part V – Judicial Data Access (6 Weeks)

25-01 June 28, 2021:

Training on the Harris County Clerk’s Web Page

25-02 Training on the Harris County Clerk’s Web Page

26-01 July 05, 2021:

QUIZ No. 1: Training on the Harris County District Clerk’s Web Page

26-02 Training on the Harris County District Clerk’s Web Page

27-01 July 12, 2021:

QUIZ No. 2: Training on the Federal Court System Web Page

27-02 Training on the Federal Court System Web Page

28-01 July 19, 2021:

QUIZ No. 3: Training on the e-file system Web Page

28-02 Training on the e-file system Web Page

29-01 July 26, 2021:

QUIZ No. 4: Training on the Lexis/Nexis database

29-02 Training on the Lexis/Nexis database

30-01 August 02, 2021:

Training on other counties' databases (Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, etc.)

30-02 6-Week Examination

Part VI – Trial & Post Trial (6 weeks)

31-01 August 09, 2021

Review the Texas Rules of Evidence; Courtroom Personnel (judge, parties, clerk, coordinator, bailiff, stenographer, witnesses, attorneys, jurors, the public, and other persons; Use of courtroom equipment for exhibits.

31-02 Jury Selection (voire dire – peremptory and for-cause challenges to seating jurors; Pre-Trial Motions (Motion in Limini, jury charge); Opening & Closing Statements – scope and limitations; sequence

32-01 August 16, 2021

QUIZ No. 1; Witness Testimony (Layperson); Scope of testimony; Direct Examination of witnesses; Cross-examination of witnesses; redirect; impeachment of witnesses; subpoena for witnesses; types of objections to testimony (when to object);

32-02 Witness Testimony: (Experts); testifying; retained; consulting

33-01 August 23, 2021

QUIZ No. 2; Witness Testimony: (Hearsay)

Exhibits: Rules for Introduction and exclusion; authentic; relevant; material

33-02 Exhibits: Rules for Introduction and exclusion; authentic; relevant; material: Demonstrative Exhibits

34-01 August 30, 2021

QUIZ No. 3; Losing Party’s Right to Appeal: Timelines (Appeal Courts (mandatory) & Supreme Court’s (discretionary); Continued; Losing Party’s Right to Appeal: Timelines (Appeal Courts (mandatory) & Supreme Court’s (discretionary)

34-02 Appellate Briefs

35-01 September 06, 2021:

QUIZ No. 4:

35-02 Appeals

36-01 September 13, 2021

Appeals

36-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Weeks (31-36)

23-01 September 20, 202

Make Up Class No 1 – County Data Base; efile Texas DataBase

00-02 Make-Up Class No 2 – District Data Base, Federal DataBase

*Classes canceled due to winter storm. Makeup scheduled for the week of September 20, 2021

FALL SESSION STARTING SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

Part I – The Court System, Jurisdiction and the Plaintiff's Petition (6 weeks)

01-01 September 7, 2021

Course Introduction; Bad Conduct v. Criminal Acts; Causes of Actions-The codification of bad conduct

01-02 State Personal Jurisdiction (Natural Person) Minimum Contact; Federal Personal Jurisdiction (Natural Person) Diversity and Federal Question; Description of the state & federal court system (trial courts, appellate courts & supreme courts)

02-01 September 14, 2021

Quiz No. 1; State & Federal Personal Jurisdiction over (non-Natural Persons) Corporations, LLC, Partnership & Sole Proprietary

02-02 Subject Matter Jurisdiction (Monetary & Subject); Venue; Introduction of IRAC format

03-01 September 21, 2021

Quiz No. 2; Plaintiff's Original Petition- Components

03-02 Burden of Proof (Policing): Reasonable Suspicion & Probable Cause

 Burden of Proof (Judicial): Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, Clear & Convincing and Preponderance of the Evidence

04-01 September 28, 2021

Quiz No. 3; Service of Process: Citation & Petition, TRCP Rule 106 & 103, Request for Process & Return of Service

04-02 Damages: Compensatory, Punitive, Injunctive, Specific Performance, & Nominal

05-01 October 5, 2021

Quiz No. 4; Probate Law (Substantive Law Discussion 1) Application for Probate of Will & Estate Code

05-02 Probate Law Continued...Application for Letters of Administration & Application for Heirship

06-01 October 12, 2021

Probate Law Continued...

06-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Week 1-6

Part II- Defendant's Original Answer and Other Claims Discovery (6 weeks)

07-01 October 19, 2021

Defendant's Original Answer Overview, & Parts of the Pleading;

07-02 No Answer (Default Judgment) 

08-01 October 26, 2021

Quiz No. 1; Defendant's Response of the Merits; General Denial & Special Exceptions (including verified responses) & TImeline

08-02 Defendant's Affirmative Defenses (16) 

09-01 November 2, 2021

Quiz No. 2; Third-Party Claims; Intervention - TRCP Rule 60; Impleaders - TRCP Rule 43; Next Friend - TRCP Rule 39; & Joinder of persons needed for adjudication - TRCP Rule 44. 

09-02 TRCP Rule 97: Counterclaims & Cross Claims; & TRCP Rule 42: Class Action Litigation.

10-01 November 9, 2021

Quiz No. 3: Review of Third Party Claims & Parties; TRCP 28 - Assumed names; TRCP 29 - Dissolved Corporation; Supplemental & Amended Pleadings; Live case- Washington

10-02 Pleadings: TRCP 37 additional parties; Mandatory intervention; Dispositive Motions: Summary Judgement & No Cause of Action (TRCP Rule 91a)

11-01 November 16, 2021

Quiz No. 4: Domestic-Family (Substantive Law) Divorces Guest Speaker - Attorney Bobbie Young & Legal Clinic Client ( 45 minutes)

11-02 Domestic-Family Law Continued...

12-01 November 23, 2021

6-Week Examination (60 minutes)- Weeks 7-12

12-02 Thanksgiving break 

Part III - Discovery (Identifying the facts) and Sources of Law & Legal Research (6 weeks)

13-01 November 30, 2021

Written Discovery - Introductory Rules; Request for Disclosures ( Rule 194) 

13-02 Written Discovery - Request for Production & Inspection (rule 198);

14-01 December 7, 2021

Quiz No. 1; Written Discovery - Request for Admissions (Rule 197)

14-02 Written Discovery - Request for Production & Inspection (Rule 198);

15-01 December 14, 2021

Quiz No. 2; Oral Discovery - Depositions

15-02 Legal Research I - US Constitution 

16-01 December 21, 2021 

Quiz No. 3; Primary Sources of Law - Case Law; Citations for Locating Cases (Discussion on Case Reporters)

16-02 Primary Sources of Law - Case Law; Citations for Locating Cases (Discussion on Case Reporters)

17-01 December 28, 2021

Quiz No. 4; Criminal Law

17-02 Criminal Law Continued...

18-01 January 4, 2022

Criminal Law Continued...

18-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Weeks 13-18

Part IV - Causes of Action - Motions (6 weeks)

19-01 January 11, 2022

Discussion on Civil Causes of Action (Torts). The topic focuses on negligence; (1) the creation of a duty, (2) the breach of the duty, (3) causation and (4) resulting damages

19-02 Discussion on Civil Causes of Action (Torts). The topic focuses on the intentional torts, comparative and contribution jurisdictions

20-01 January 18, 2022

Quiz No. 1; Discussion on Civil Causes of Actions (Contracts). Discusses the formation of contracts, including the offer, acceptance, consideration, mutual assent, and execution. The lecture also discusses the termination of contracts through compliance, breach, accord & satisfaction. The obligations of minors and other parties to the contract.

20-02 Discussion on Civil Causes of Action (Contracts) continues... 

21-01 January 25, 2022

Quiz No. 2; Discussion on Criminal Causes of Action (Crimes against persons); indictments and prosecution (e.g., homicides, assault, battery, robbery, sexual assaults, etc.) 

21-02 Discussion on Criminal Causes of Action (Crimes against property); arson, burglary, trespass to real property, etc.)

22-01 February 1, 2022

Quiz No. 3; Motion pleading - Jurisdiction

22-02 Motion pleading - Venue

23-01 February 8, 2022

Quiz No. 4; Motion pleading Discussion of different types of motions (1) Motion for Continuance, (2) Motion to Transfer Venue, (3) Motion - Plea to the Jurisdiction, and (4) Motion... 

23-02 Motions continued...

24-01 February 15, 2022

Motion pleading: Discussion of one motion each one-half hour (6 motions); (1) Motion... (2) Motion... (3) Motion... (4) Motion... (5) Motion... and (6) Motion...

24-02 6- Week Exam (60 minutes)-Weeks 19-24

Part V - Judicial Data Access (6 weeks)

25-01 February 22, 2022

Training on the Harris County Cleark's Web Page; Document search and Review

25-02 Training on the Harris County Clerk's Web Page; Local rules, Forms & Court Information 

26-01 March 1, 2022

Quiz No. 1; Training on the Harris County and other Counties District Clerk Web Page

26-02 Continued

27-01 March 8, 2022

Quiz No. 2; Training on the Federal Court System Web Page

27-02 Continued

28-01 March 15, 2022

Quiz No. 3; Training on the e-file system Web Page

28-02 Training on the e-file system Web Page

29-01 March 22, 2022

Quiz No. 4; Substantive  Law- Federal - Bankruptcy 

29-02 Continued

30-01 March 29, 2022

Training on other counties databases (Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, etc.)

30-02 6-Week Examination (60 minutes) - Weeks 25-30

Part VI - Trial & Post Trial (6 weeks)

31-01 April 5, 2022

Review Texas Rules of Evidence; Courtroom Personnel (judge, parties, clerk, coordinator, bailiff, stenographer, witnesses, attorneys, jurors, the public, and other persons; Use of courtroom equipment for exhibits. 

31-02 Jury Selection (voire dire - peremptory and for-cause challenges to seating jurors; Pre-Trial Motions, Motions in Limini, Jury Charge); Opening & Closing Statements - scope and limitations; sequence 

32-01 April 12, 2022

Quiz No. 1; Witness Testimony (Layperson); Scope of testimony; Direct Examination of witnesses; Cross-examination of witnesses; redirect; impeachment of witnesses; subpoena for witnesses; types of objections to testimony (when to object);

32-02 Witness Testimony: (Experts); testifying; retained; consulting 

33-01 April 19, 2022

Quiz No. 2; Witness Testimony: (Hearsay)

Exhibits: Rule for Introduction and exclusion; authentic; relevant; material

33-02 Exhibits: Rule for Introduction and exclusion; authentic; relevant; material

34-01 April 26, 2022

Quiz No. 3; Losing Party's Right to Appeal: Timelines (Appeal Courts (mandatory) & Supreme Court's (discretionary); 

34-02 Appellate Briefs

35-01 May 3, 2022

Quiz No. 4; Substantive Law- Criminal

35-02 Continued

36-01 

36-02 Final Examination

Our legal clinic provides cases for the paralegal student to work on to get real-life legal experience producing legal documents and researching legal issues, while interacting with actual court personnel and opposing counsel.