Cover

Title Page

Copyright

DEDICATION

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

1 Introductio n to the America nLegal System

1.00 Law in American Society

1.01 Sources of American Law

1.02 The American Legal System

1.03 Classifications of Law

1.04 Remedies

1.05 Alternative Dispute Resolution

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

Endnotes

2 LEGAL RESEARCH

2.00 Introduction

2.01 Principles of Legal Research

2.02 Five Steps of Research

2.03 Basic Research Procedures and Practices

2.04 Sources of the Law in Research

2.05 Search Methods—Finding the Law

2.06 Use of Shepard’s Citations or “Shepardizing”

2.07 Review of the Basic Research Process

2.08 Modern Technology and Legal Research

2.09 Research Delegation Considerations

2.10 Research Tasks

2.11 Summary

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

3 Et hics

3.00 Introduction

3.01 Duties a Paralegal May Perform under the Supervision of an Attorney

3.02 Ethical Considerations in the Work Environment

3.03 The Paralegal and the Unauthorized Practice of Law

3.04 Adequate Supervision by the Attorney

3.05 Summary

3.06 Codes and Guidelines

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

Endnotes

4 Judgment and Analytical Ability

4.00 Introduction

4.01 How to Develop Good Judgment

4.02 Analytical Ability

4.03 Summary

4.04 Commentaries on and Answers to Sample Problems

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

Endnotes

5 Communications

5.00 Communication Concept

5.01 Ultimate Skill

5.02 Methods of Communication

5.03 Basic Communication Skills

5.04 Nonverbal Communication

5.05 Verbal Communication—The Listening Portion

5.06 Telephone Techniques

5.07 Using the Computer

5.08 Written Communication

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

Endnotes

6 Interviewing Techniques

6.00 Introduction

6.01 The Interview:What It Is and What It Is Not

6.02 The Participants

6.03 General Considerations for Every Interview

6.04 Questioning Techniques

6.05 Interview Preliminaries

6.06 The Interview

6.07 Summarizing the Interview

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

7 INVESTIGATION

7.00 Role of the Investigator

7.01 The Investigation Plan

7.02 Establishing and Maintaining Professional Contacts

7.03 In-Office Investigations

7.04 Locating Witnesses

7.05 Time Lines and Chronologies

7.06 Evidentiary Considerations

7.07 Surveillance and Activity Checks

7.08 Demonstrative Evidence

7.09 Preserving Digital, Electronic,and Photographic Documents and Objects

7.10 Discovery through Investigation

7.11 Websites

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

8 PRETRIAL LITIGATION SKILLS

8.00 Introduction

8.01 The Advocacy System and the Paralegal

8.02 Specific Litigation Skills

8.03 Preliminary Considerations in Litigation

8.04 Pleadings and Pretrial Motions

8.05 Discovery and Pretrial Preparation

8.06 Interrogatories

8.07 Depositions

8.08 Requests for Admission

8.09 Requests for Production of Documents

8.10 Motions to Compel Discovery

8.11 Discovery and Exhibit Control Systems, Damage Calculations, and Settlement Offers

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

9 THE PARALEGAL And DOCUMENT DISCOVERY CASES

9.00 Introduction

9.01 Client Documents

9.02 Opposing Party and Other Documents

9.03 Customizing Database Forms

9.04 Computer Document Management

9.05 E-Discovery—Discovery of Electronically Stored Information

Landmark Cases

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

10 ASSISTING AT TRIAL

10.00 Introduction

10.01 Trial Preparation

10.02 Trial Notebooks

10.03 The Paralegal at the Trial

Comment

Exercises

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

GLOSSARY:LEGAL TERMINOLOGY

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

INDEX