PSLEGRET7022 - Maritime Law for Paralegals
This specialized course introduces paralegal students to the dynamic world of maritime (admiralty) law, blending international conventions, federal statutes, and practical legal skills. Students will explore foundational concepts such as vessel documentation, maritime contracts, seamen’s rights, cargo liability, and environmental compliance. The course emphasizes real-world applications, including how paralegals assist with vessel arrests, manage maritime liens, and support litigation involving maritime injuries, pollution claims, and transnational disputes. Through interactive modules, scenario-based exercises, and legal document drafting, students will gain the tools needed to support attorneys in one of the oldest and most globally relevant areas of law.
Graduates of the Rice Paralegal Certificate program are eligible for a discounted rate of $399 per course.
Upon registration-Please note it may take up to one hour to have access to your course.
For password resets- Please note it may take up to one hour for the system to recognize your password reset.
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Course Details
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Self-Guided Learning
This course does not include traditional lectures. Instead, the student will utilize multiple study-support tools that act as a guide for the learning process. These tools may include:
Chapter Overview and Introduction
Lecture Notes
Chapter Review and Review Answers
Chapter Quiz (required to proceed)
In addition, students will have access to an instructor via email if any questions arise.
Estimated Course Hours (including study and online learning): 24 hours
What You Will Learn
MODULE i:
• Introduction to Maritime and Admiralty Law
• Key Maritime Law Sources and Authorities
MODULE II: Maritime Legal Concepts and Principles
• Vessel Classification, Ownership, and Registration
• Maritime Contracts
• Carriage of Goods by Sea
MODULE III: Maritime Injuries and Tort Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death at Sea
• Marine Pollution and Environmental Liability
MODULE IV: Litigation, Procedure, and Maritime Dispute Resolution
• Maritime Jurisdiction and Procedure
• Maritime Arbitration and Mediation
• Evidence, Discovery, and Trial Preparation
MODULE V: Specialized Maritime Legal Areas
• Maritime Insurance and Risk Management
• Piracy, Maritime Security, and Human Rights at Sea
• Cruise Ships and Passenger Injury Law
MODULE VI: Career and Practice Tools
• The Maritime Paralegal Career Path
Social media law
What You Will Learn
MODULE 1: SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE COURT ROOM
§1.1 Social Media in Litigation (Civil, Criminal, and Family Law)
§1.2 Types of Discoverable Content
§1.3 Rules of Evidence and Authentication
§1.4 Identifying and Preserving Social Content Before It’s Deleted
§1.5 Case Study: People v. Harris - Twitter Subpoena Litigation and User Privacy
§1.6 Checklists
MODULE 2: PRESERVATION AND PRODUCTION
§2.1 Legal Foundations: Subpoenas, Preservation, and the Stored Communications Act
§2.2 Platform-Specific Legal Procedures
§2.3 Legal Duty to Preserve Social Media as ESI
§2.4 Litigation Hold Notices and Documentation
MODULE 3 LEGAL ETHICS, PRIVACY, AND GAG ORDERS
§3.1 Ethical Limits of Social Media Investigations
§3.2 Privacy Rights and Discovery Disputes
§3.4 Spoliation, Rule 37(e), and Sanctions
§3.5 Avoiding Spoliation and Ethical Pitfalls
MODULE 4 AUTHENTICATING & ADMITTING EVIDENCE
§4.1 Authentication under FRE 901 and State Equivalents
§4.2 Custody and Metadata Preservation
§4.3 Overcoming Hearsay and Relevance Objections
§4.4 Using Witness Testimony and Expert Affidavits
§4.5 Digital Exhibit Preparation and Courtroom Presentation Tools
MODULE 5 SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE EDISCOVERY LIFECYCLE
§5.1 Tools for Social Media Discovery
§5.2 Overview of the eDiscovery Lifecycle
§5.3 Redaction and Production of Social Media Evidence
MODULE 6 SOCIAL MEDIA LAW AND EMERGING ISSUES
§6.1 Disinformation v. Defamation in the Age of Virality
§6.2 Deepfakes, Synthetic Media, and AI Manipulation
§6.3 Algorithmic Amplification and Legal Exposure
MODULE 7 SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY AND WORKPLACE LAW
§7.1 Employee Discipline and Off-Duty Conduct
§7.2 Hiring and Background Screening via Social Media
§7.3 Protected Concerted Activity Under the NLRA
§7.4 Whistleblower Protections and Retaliation
§7.5 Workplace Harassment and Online Misconduct
§7.6 Paralegal Tasks: Drafting and Evaluating Social Media Policies
§7.6.1 Key Elements of a Legally Sound Social Media Policy
§7.6.2 Drafting Tips for Paralegals
§7.6.3 Sample of a Social Media Clause
MODULE 8 LITIGATION IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
§8.1 Focus on Litigation
§8.2 Impeachment and Witness Credibility
§8.3 Voir Dire and Juror Screening in the Social Media Era
§8.4 Social Media as a Public Trial Strategy
§8.5 Paralegal Trial Prep: Exhibits, Objections, and Preservation
Paralegals seeking to further enhance their knowledge and skills
Professionals preparing to become a paralegal in law firms or government agencies.
Professionals seeking a legal understanding of maritime law
Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.
Please be aware that on-demand classes are not eligible for refunds. Additionally, credits cannot be applied towards future courses.
To purchase the textbook, you must first register with the LegalPro LibraryLinks to an external site.. It's free! After registering simply select your textbook from the shelf to learn more and purchase.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER WITH THE LEGALPRO LIBRARY FOR FREE!Links to an external site.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- The Advanced Paralegal Certificate Bundle : The Advanced Paralegal Certificate