SMC Paralegal Program Offering Popular Real Estate Title Search Class

09/24/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPARTANBURG, SC -- The Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Certificate Program is offering one of its most popular courses again this fall – Real Estate Title Search I.

That course is one of five being offered in the Fall II term, for which registration is currently underway.

 “Title Search I is one of  our most popular courses with paralegal students and the general public – attorneys, legal staff, even retirees simply wanting to know how to research their ancestors - like to come and learn the procedures involved in title examination.  We only offer this course once a year, and always have a waiting list of folks wanting to sign up due to the quality of instruction and the location of the class.  We are very fortunate to be able to offer this course in the Spartanburg County Register of Deeds Office – which gives our students a true hands on approach to title examination,” says program director Yvonne Harper.

A new course destined to be another favorite is Law and Film, which focuses on one aspect of popular culture – the film – to examine how the different components of the American legal system are portrayed by Hollywood. 

 “American popular culture has demonstrated an enduring fascinating with lawyers, the law, and the legal system.  Whether it is the latest John Grisham novel-turned-movie or yet another television series about hip forensic scientists, we have an insatiable appetite for stories about good and evil played out against the backdrop of courtrooms, law firms, and police precincts. More importantly, it is from popular culture that most individuals develop their opinions about the American legal system,” adds Harper.

Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and run for 10 weeks beginning October 27 and ending January 21.  

In addition to Thursday night’s Real Estate Title Search I, Legal Research, and Law and Film will be offered on Tuesday evenings, and Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Paralegals will be offered on Thursday evenings. 

 Tuition is $300 per course.  The college accepts check, cash, money order, Visa or MasterCard, and payments plans are available.  Individuals may also audit a course for $150. 

 The SMC Paralegal Certificate Program consists of twenty (20) courses, offered in ten (10) terms, with each term lasting ten (10) weeks.  Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 9:00 PM.  Students may choose to take one (1) or two (2) courses during a term.

Approximately half of all paralegals are involved in civil litigation, where they assist attorneys in preparing for trial.  Other paralegals do research, draft legal documents, and assist attorneys with financial and corporate transactions. In addition to being employed in law offices, paralegals are hired to work in areas such as corporations, banks, hospitals, colleges and universities, insurance firms, government agencies, real estate companies, trust and estate administration, property management, and commercial lending.  

 The following individuals serve on the SMC Paralegal Certificate Advisory Committee:

    * Robert M. Barrett - Attorney, Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn & Bradford, P.A. B.A. Barrett is also the son of former             SMC President, Dr. James S. Barrett
    * Joanne Hughes Burkett, Attorney, The Cate Law Firm, P.A.
    * Ponda Caldwell - Judge of Probate, Spartanburg County Probate Court
    * Trey Gowdy – 7th Circuit Solicitor Spartanburg County, and a former Federal Prosecutor
    * Isaac Dickson – The Hiring Authority
    * Rhonda Mitchell - Paralegal, Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn & Bradford, P.A.
    * Roxanne Reynolds, CPLS - Paralegal with Holcombe, Bomar, Gunn and Bradford, P.A.
    * Toria Richardson – Real Estate Paralegal, Lister, Flynn & Kelly, P.A.
    * Albert V. Smith – Attorney
    * Lisa Stephens - HR Coordinator, Norgenix Pharmaceuticals, LLC
    * Fletcher D. Thompson - Attorney, retired FBI Special Agent, and former member of the SMC Board of Trustees
    * Liz J. Patterson - Founder of Converse College PLA Program, former U.S. House member and a member of the SMC Board of Trustees
    * Chuck Wright - Spartanburg County Sheriff

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 99th academic year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment.  More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.
 

For more information, please contact Yvonne Harper at 864-587-4278, 266-7409 or harpery@smcsc.edu.

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