Evidence Management for the Paralegal


Book Description

This book will serve as an invaluable resource to the paralegal student or the practicing paralegal whose job includes gathering, analyzing, and managing evidence. Federal Rules of Evidence are included as an appendix to the text and are referred to frequently, as well as state rules governing evidence. Throughout the book, case scenarios provide a practical, hands-on approach, making information more accessible, and guiding the student through real-life situations in which the skills taught are applied. Additionally, key word and phrases are identified, pertinent websites are provided, and charts, samples and graphs are used throughout. Applicable codes, rules and regulations are cited to support the instruction, and proper procedures are stressed. At the end of each chapter, review questions reflecting the issues presented in the chapter enable the student to test their understanding of the material. The text provides information and instruction through United States court rules, regulations and codes.




Trial Prep for Paralegals


Book Description

Trial Prep for Paralegals presents an in-depth guide for paralegals as they assist attorneys through all stages of litigation, from client intake to appeals. The book begins with an overview of the litigation process, provides a sample case to illustrate the paralegal’s role, and closes with helpful information on ethical dangers and how to handle stress. Professionalism, civility, and teamwork are emphasized, particularly the importance of working well with attorneys, the courts, opposing counsel, and, of course, the client. This helpful guidebook is a must-have for litigation paralegals. The authors substantially revised this Second Edition to reflect the increased role technology plays in the law office and in litigation. It incorporates the latest amendments to the federal rules, including changes to discovery practice found in Fed. R. Civ. P. 26. The two chapters on e-discovery were also substantially updated, and a new sample discovery plan was added. Issues regularly facing paralegals and attorneys are examined, including the paralegal’s appropriate role and responsibility to timely communicate with clients.




Paralegal Career For Dummies


Book Description

Apply important legal concepts and skills you need to succeed Get educated, land a job, and start making money now! Want a new career as a paralegal but don't know where to start? Relax! Paralegal Career For Dummies is the practical, hands-on guide to all the basics -- from getting certified to landing a job and getting ahead. Inside, you'll find all the tools you need to succeed, including a CD packed with sample memos, forms, letters, and more! Discover how to * Secure your ideal paralegal position * Pick the right area of the law for you * Prepare documents for litigation * Conduct legal research * Manage a typical law office Sample resumes, letters, forms, legal documents, and links to online legal resources. Please see the CD-ROM appendix for details and complete system requirements.




Evidence for Paralegals


Book Description

Clearly written textbook that helps students understand how evidentiary principles are applied in real-life situations. Text focuses on the practical applications of the Federal rules of Evidence and how the rules relate to paralegal practice. Features: Covers a full range of topics, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and researching. Written from a real-life perspective, showing how actual practice works in local, state, and federal court. Pedagogy in text developed for paralegal students, and includes short case summaries, readable examples, marginal definitions of terms, marginal cross-references to the Rules of Evidence, review questions, and hypotheticals. Short, concise presentation is ideal for paralegal courses. Updated with changes to the Federal Rules of Evidence. Updated with new cases. New hypotheticals and discussion questions added.




United States Attorneys' Manual


Book Description




Model Rules of Professional Conduct


Book Description

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.




Civil Law and Litigation for Paralegals


Book Description

Civil Law and Litigation for Paralegals is a comprehensive text designed specifically for paralegal civil litigation courses. Author Neal Bevans not only teaches the basics of civil litigation, but also gives students the opportunity to learn skills they will use in practice. In a balanced approach, Bevans covers all the key topics paralegals need to know in an easy-to-read and engaging style that utilizes numerous examples and illustrations but never overwhelms the student. The text provides students with an in-depth analysis of a wide variety of civil cases, beginning with laying out the basic foundation of the American legal system. It proceeds through the investigation and implementation of a civil case, and follows the case through to appeal. The text balances the theoretical underpinnings of the law with the practical examples and hands-on experience that all students need to completely understand the topic. The helpful pedagogy throughout the book and a comprehensive teaching package make class preparation as easy as possible. Features: Clear introduction to the fundamentals of civil litigation for paralegal students. Provides students with an in-depth analysis of a wide variety of civil cases, laying out the basic foundation of the American legal system, proceeding through the investigation and implementation of a civil case, and following the case through to appeal. Designed to help prepare students for the practical world of divorces, car wreck cases, and medical malpractice claims that they will see every day in civil practice. Each chapter presents students with examples of the important role that paralegals play in every stage of civil litigation, from client intake to bringing an appeal. Understandable writing style with strong pedagogy, resulting in a teachable and accessible text. Each chapter includes Practice Pointers, Search Suggestions, Tech Topics, and Legal Legwork boxes, along with case excerpts, forms, and ethics. Helpful pedagogy includes Chapter Objectives that focus learning and review, Boldfaced key terms and marginal definitions for convenient reference, Review questions at the end of each chapter, and references to web sites that facilitate legal research




Community Paralegals and the Pursuit of Justice


Book Description

The United Nations estimates that four billion people worldwide live outside the protection of the law. These people can be driven from their land, intimidated by violence, and excluded from society. This book is about community paralegals - sometimes called barefoot lawyers - who demystify law and empower people to advocate for themselves. These paralegals date back to 1950s South Africa and are active today in many countries, but their role has largely been ignored by researchers. Community Paralegals and the Pursuit of Justice is the first book on the subject. Focusing on paralegal movements in six countries, Vivek Maru, Varun Gauri, and their coauthors have collected rich, vivid stories of paralegals helping people to take on injustice, from domestic violence to unlawful mining to denial of wages. From these stories emerges evidence of what works and how. The insights in the book will be of immense value in the global fight for universal justice. This title is also available as Open Access.




Law Office Management for Paralegals


Book Description

Law Office Management for Paralegals, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive introduction to law office management, emphasizing ethics, law office culture, law office systems, and “soft skills,” such as communications and critical thinking. Assignments are drawn from real-world law office management situations and supported by innovative visual aids and learning tools. Students get hands-on practice with timekeeping, conflicts-checking, file management, trust accounting, business planning, correspondence, and much more. They are exposed to law office software, such as Clio, and learn to perform vital functions using other software and even freeware. Career profiles emphasize the importance of involvement in professional organizations, advancement in the legal field without obtaining a law degree, and that the legal profession is populated by men and women of all ages and backgrounds. New to the Fourth Edition: New ethical discussions: the obligation to keep up with current technology, disaster planning, and dealing with clients using crowdfunding. New technology discussions: artificial intelligence in legal practice, online notarization, client portals, and apps to make the practice of law more efficient and mobile. New discussions of law as a business: features of property insurance, malpractice insurance, insurance for and on employees; trends in office space. New soft skills discussions: dealing with incivility in the legal profession, managing staff through technology changes. Professors and students will benefit from: Author Laurel A. Vietzen’s outstanding reputation in the paralegal market. Drawing on her extensive background as a professor and practitioner, she clearly presents basic law office management and organization. Well-crafted assignments throughout the text help students hone practical skills such as critical thinking, organization, general communication, and computer proficiency. The text is particularly adaptable for an online or hybrid class.




Family Law Trial Evidence Handbook


Book Description

At the core of being a trial lawyer is a working knowledge of the rules of evidence: how to get evidence admitted or kept out in a contested trial or hearing. Procedures to authenticate exhibits are the building blocks of any case, and objections and their responses are the mortar. The Family Law Trial Evidence Handbook is a common sense guide to these fundamentals. Based upon the author's years of family law practice and from his teaching experience at the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, this handbook is organized in a practical format that can work for all family law trial lawyers, regardless of whether they practice in a state that uses a variation on the Federal Rules or a common law body of rules on evidence. It combines the substantive knowledge critical to assist family lawyers understand the concepts and theories of evidence with a supremely useful format that ensures that the necessary information can be located and absorbed quickly. Topics include: The fundamentals of evidence Relevance Evidence of character and habit Hearsay and hearsay exceptions Judicial notice and presumptions Authentication of writings and other tangible evidence Original writing rule and the rule of completeness Competency of witnesses Evidentiary privileges Expert witnesses Examination of witnesses Tendering exhibits, objections, and offers of proof Procedures for streamlining admission of evidence Requests to admit facts and genuineness of documents Judges identify lawyers who can try cases well and appreciate their skill, and good settlements come from superior trial skills. It is axiomatic, but knowledge is power. This book is the starting point for lawyers pursuing excellence in divorce trial advocacy.