Evidence, Ethics, and Legal Technology

This unit develops paralegal competencies in organizing and presenting evidence, conducting modern legal research, and applying technology and ethical standards in practice. Students will practice eDiscovery, witness preparation, citation, file and case management, and professional communication to prepare for advanced litigation and practice management topics in the final unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze digital and physical evidence by applying chain-of-custody, eDiscovery workflows, and evidence-organizing techniques to prepare admissible exhibits and witness lists
• Apply proper legal citation and proofreading standards to create polished legal documents, including correct case citations and nonauthority handling, in compliance with court rules
• Demonstrate professional communication and ethical decision-making by preparing clients and witnesses for testimony, disclosing paralegal status appropriately, and reporting observed ethical violations following applicable protocols
• Evaluate and implement technology tools—legal research platforms, case management/CRM systems, file management practices, and AI-assisted resources—while assessing risks, accuracy, and compliance with professional standards