Level Up Series: Introduction to the American Legal System

DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 2022

TIME: 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. EDT

Introduction to the American Legal System

This two-hour webinar taught by Deborah Bouchoux, Esq., is designed to introduce those who may be new to the legal profession to our legal system. The webinar discusses the sources of law in America (cases, constitutions, statutes, administrative regulations, and secondary sources) and then provides a thorough review of both the federal and state court structures. Webinar attendees are then introduced to statutes and judicial opinions. The webinar also provides a review of the most commonly used secondary sources (encyclopedias, treatises, and law reviews). The webinar concludes with a brief overview on how to “read” a citation so legal professionals can locate cases and statutes when asked to do so.

About Deborah Bouchoux, Esq.

Deborah Bouchoux is a seasoned legal educator and a licensed attorney who was engaged in private practice for more than twenty-five years, specializing in corporate and intellectual property law. She also served for four years as in-house counsel for a high-tech company in northern Virginia. Additionally, Ms. Bouchoux has more than twenty-five years of experience in legal education. She has taught at various universities, including the University of San Diego and The George Washington University, and has been an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University for more than twenty years. She is the author of the following books and writings: Business Organizations Law in Focus; Fundamentals of Business Organizations for Paralegals; Business Organizations for Paralegals; Intellectual Property: The Law of Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, and Trade Secrets; Protecting Your Company’s Intellectual Property; Concise Guide to Legal Research and Writing, Legal Research Explained; The Aspen Handbook for Legal Writers; and several other textbooks adopted by universities across the nation. Ms. Bouchoux has spoken on a variety of legal topics at private law firms, Fortune 500 companies, the National Capital Area Paralegal Association, and various government agencies and independent organizations, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the Financial Institution Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and the U.S. Tax Court.