Cover image for Paralegal Career For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Paralegal Career For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Author Lisa Zimmer Hatch , Scott A. Hatch
Release Date: 2019/04/01
ISBN: 9781119564911
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Book Description

Your career as a top-notch paralegal starts here

The demand for paralegal professionals is exploding, and Paralegal Career For Dummies, 2nd Edition explains the skills and requirements needed to pursue this rewarding career. Inside, you’ll discover the ins and outs of paralegal skills, from preparing documents and performing legal research to obtaining certification, job hunting, and understanding legal concepts.

Use this hands-on guide to help in your career considerations, bolster your paralegal training, or as an everyday on-the-job reference. Paralegal Career For Dummies will be your trusty assistant through all phases of your life as a paralegal, taking you forward with tips on networking and joining professional organizations that will enhance your career.

  • Discover the job skills required for success as a paralegal
  • Learn important legal concepts you’ll need on the job
  • Access forms, templates, and examples on the companion website
  • Develop strategies to manage time and advance your career

Complete with a companion website containing a wealth of valuable information, this book covers everything you need to become a top-notch paralegal.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Where to Go from Here
  3. Part 1: A Snapshot of the Exciting and Lucrative Paralegal Profession
    1. Chapter 1: Discovering the Paralegal Profession
      1. Almost a Lawyer: What a Paralegal Does
      2. On the Job: Where Paralegals Work
      3. What It Takes: The Skills, Knowledge, and Training You Need
    2. Chapter 2: Membership Has Its Privileges: Paralegal Associations and Their Certification Exams
      1. To Join or Not to Join
      2. Deciding Whether to Get Certified
    3. Chapter 3: The Hunt Is On: Securing a Paralegal Position
      1. Finding the Perfect Job
      2. Creating the Documentation
      3. Setting Up Shop: Starting a Freelance Paralegal Business
  4. Part 2: Important Legal Concepts Every Paralegal Should Know
    1. Chapter 4: “All Rise”: The American Judicial System
      1. Everything Old Is New Again: The Importance of Legal Precedence
      2. Checks and Balances: Branches of U.S. Government
      3. Playing Fair: Levels of the U.S. Judicial System
      4. Judge and Jury: The U.S. Jury System
    2. Chapter 5: The Big Three: Categories of Law
      1. Cutting Through the Red Tape: Administrative Law
      2. Eliminating Any Reasonable Doubt: The Nature of Criminal Law
      3. Maintaining Polite Society: Civil Law
    3. Chapter 6: Taking a Case to Trial: The Litigation Process
      1. Constructing the Criminal Case
      2. Carrying Through a Civil Case
    4. Chapter 7: How It’s Done: Important Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence
      1. Distinguishing Between Procedural Law and Substantive Law
      2. Following the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
      3. Sticking to State Procedural Rules
      4. Figuring Out Federal Rules of Evidence
    5. Chapter 8: Because I Said So: The Categories of Legal Authority
      1. Déjà Vu All Over Again: Review of Stare Decisis
      2. Who’s the Boss? The Premises of Primary and Secondary Authority
      3. Applying the Law: Mandatory and Persuasive Authority
      4. Helpful But You Can’t Rely On It: Nonauthority
    6. Chapter 9: The Substantive Law Areas Most Commonly Practiced by Paralegals
      1. Facing the Family: Domestic Law and Estate Planning
      2. Building the Boom and Blanketing the Bust: Business and Bankruptcy Law
      3. Compensating for Pain and Suffering: Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
      4. Getting It in Writing: Entertainment and Real Estate Law
      5. Protecting Assets: Tax and Intellectual Property Law
  5. Part 3: Putting It into Practice: The Paralegal in the Civil Litigation Process
    1. Chapter 10: The Paper Chase: Preparing Documents
      1. Communicating in Writing: Types of Legal Documents
      2. Making the Case: Effective Document Drafting
    2. Chapter 11: Elementary My Dear Watson: Legal Investigation
      1. Searching for Clues: Gathering Evidence
      2. Keeping Track: Identifying and Protecting Evidence
      3. Keeping Order: Organizing the Evidence
    3. Chapter 12: Chewing the Fat: Legal Interviewing
      1. Gauging Whether the Case Is Valid: Initial Client Interviews
      2. Completing the Story: Witness Interviews
      3. Preparing Clients and Witnesses for Testimony
    4. Chapter 13: Burning the Midnight Oil: Legal Research
      1. Conducting Legal Research
      2. Relying On Tools of the Trade
      3. Getting Technological: Computerized Legal Research
      4. Citing Cases Properly: Citation Format
    5. Chapter 14: Where the Rubber Hits the Road: Trial Performance
      1. Creating the Ultimate Source of Information: The Trial Notebook
      2. Selecting the Jury: The Paralegal and Voir Dire
      3. Keeping Track of Witnesses
      4. Weighing Testimony: The Paralegal’s Take on the Jury’s Reaction
      5. Preparing Questions for the Attorney
      6. Settling Up: Preparing the Cost Bill
      7. Blood from a Turnip: Collecting a Difficult Judgment
    6. Chapter 15: The Official Word: Ethical Codes for Legal Professionals
      1. Doing What’s Right: The Importance of Ethics
      2. Abiding by the Rules of Professional Conduct
      3. Sorting through the Codes of Paralegal Associations
  6. Part 4: Identifying the Skills Paralegals Need to Soar
    1. Chapter 16: Presenting a Clear, Concise Legal Writing Style
      1. Corresponding Carefully
      2. Grammar: Grasping the Foundation of an Effective Writing Style
      3. Sentence Structure: Positioning the Sentence’s Elements
      4. Punctuation and Mechanics: Mastering the Rules
      5. Organization: Structuring the Finished Product
      6. Proofreading: Polishing the Finished Product
      7. Avoiding Plagiarism
    2. Chapter 17: Using Technology in Law
      1. Operating Computer Hardware and Networks in the Law Office
      2. Getting Savvy on Software Applications for the Law Office
      3. Surfing the Net: Online Resources for Legal Professionals
      4. Carting Computers into the Courtroom
    3. Chapter 18: Law Office Management 101
      1. Buying Time: Management Systems
      2. Keeping Account: Billing Systems
      3. A Place for Everything: File Management
  7. Part 5: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 19: The Ten Most Important Rules of Ethics
      1. Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law
      2. Maintaining Client Confidentiality
      3. Disclosing Your Paralegal Status
      4. Reporting Ethics Violations of Other Legal Professionals
      5. Disclosing Information to Prevent Death or Serious Bodily Harm
      6. Sharing Information with Your Supervising Attorney
      7. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
      8. Obeying All Applicable Attorneys’ Ethics Rules
      9. Giving Something to the Community: Pro Bono Services
      10. Making Your Voice Heard: Supporting Efforts to Improve the Legal System
    2. Chapter 20: Ten Things Every Paralegal Should Know
      1. How to Ask for Help
      2. Your Role
      3. How to Communicate Effectively
      4. The Value of Being Organized
      5. Your Limitations
      6. How to Research
      7. How to Use Technology
      8. The Rules of Professional Responsibility
      9. How to Draft Fundamental Legal Documents
      10. How to Weigh the Value of Paralegal Organizations
    3. Chapter 21: Ten Survival Tips to Thrive in the Legal Environment
      1. Continue Your Education
      2. Keep a Good Legal Dictionary Nearby
      3. Maintain the Integrity of Your Profession
      4. Be Polite and Patient with Court Clerks
      5. Take a Mind Reading Course
      6. Enjoy Problem Solving
      7. Refrain from Badmouthing Other Paralegals and Attorneys
      8. Never Act as though You’re Irreplaceable
      9. Don’t Count on a Normal Work Schedule
      10. Resist the Urge to Gossip about Clients
  8. Part 6: Appendixes
    1. Appendix A: Glossary of Important Legal Terms: A Mini Legal Dictionary
    2. Appendix B: What You’ll Find Online
      1. Documents Online
      2. Links to Websites
  9. Index
  10. About the Authors
  11. Advertisement Page
  12. Connect with Dummies
  13. End User License Agreement
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