CP-56 Competitive Professional Development Opportunities
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The Legal Career Program (CP-56) announces centralized funding for a limited number of Competitive Professional Development (CPD) opportunities.
CIVILIAN PARAPROFESSIONALS:
Paralegal Certificate is a 14-week course offered online through the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). Skills obtained include: assisting trial attorneys, interviewing witnesses, investigating complex fact patterns, researching the law and assisting in case preparation for litigation.
Advanced Legal Research and Writing Certificate is a seven-week course offered online through the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). Lesson topics include: legal authorities and citations, legal analysis, online legal research, the legal memorandum of law, manual legal research, and types of legal writing.
Personal Injury for Paralegals is a seven-week course offered online through the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). Participants will learn the negligence theory of torts upon which personal injury claims are based. Students will be exposed to the basic categories of damages recovery, statutes of limitation, and schemes for liability.
Legal Investigation Certificate is a seven-week course offered online through the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). Students will receive a background in the legal system, and then will learn interviewing and investigation techniques, fact analysis, taking witnesses statements, proper service of legal process, and other skills for legal investigation.
Victim Advocacy Certificate is a seven-week course offered online through the Center for Legal Studies (CLS). Participants will be prepared to assist crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery. Course topics include legal terminology, legal process, legislation regarding victims’ rights, ethics, effects of victimization on the victim, victim advocate skills, guardianships and crisis intervention.
The deadline for application for all CLS courses is 14 January 2021.
CIVILIAN ATTORNEYS:
Motion Skills is a two-day virtual course offered by the National Institute for Trail Advocacy. This course is specifically designed to develop oral advocacy skills, as well as enhance knowledge of procedural and substantive laws. The three core motions covered are: Motion to Compel/Motion for Protective Order, Motion for Summary Judgement, and Motion for Preliminary Injunction. This course will utilize an online platform for attendees to watch a discussion of motion skills, as well as demonstrations of those skills, and then will have the attendees practice live with feedback from the instructors.
Negotiation and Mediation Skills is a 1.5 day virtual learn-by-doing course offered by the National Institute for Trail Advocacy. Attendees will be engaged in role-playing different players in negotiations and medications – parties, counsel, and mediators – based upon the provided scenario. During the course, attendees will develop skills in rapport building, information gathering, understanding both sides’ Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement, and non-judgmental brainstorming.
The deadline for application for the NITA courses is 19 January 2021.
The full announcements are attached. The announcement outlines who can apply, what must be contained in the application packet, and how to submit an application. Failure to include the requested information may result in disqualification from consideration. A Fact Sheet with useful information on applying for Competitive Professional Development (CPD) opportunities is also attached.
If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Sarilyn Leary at sarilyn.h.leary.civ@mail.mil