Paralegals

The completely revised and updated fourth edition of the most trusted paralegal desk references on the market. Now fully revised and expanded: the bestselling desk reference for paralegals at any level. Each chapter has been completely updated to include the latest step-by-step instructions for every aspect of a paralegal's job, with new procedures, checklists, and resources throughout. Topics covered include: ? Paralegal ethics ? Training programs ? Court systems and court procedures ? Federal court practice and procedures ? Pretrial practice and procedure ? Legal research tools ? Electronic trial preparation procedures In addition to the general resources that will be of value to every paralegal, this guide also includes detailed information on practice and procedures for working in specialty law firms.

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.

This essay sheds light on how to become a paralegal, explicates how to be highly successful as a paralegal, and elucidates how to earn revenue as a paralegal. While becoming a paralegal may seem be an eminently cumbersome, expensive, time-consuming, and daunting undertaking, it is viably possible to become a paralegal. Much to the relief of prospective paralegals, it is possible to become a paralegal in a time span of less than half of a decade and the journey to become a paralegal is not as lengthy as the journey to pursue certain other occupations, such as the occupations of a medical doctor or attorney. The pathway that a prospective paralegal can follow to become a paralegal is fraught with challenges that are not a cinch to surmount. It can be arduous to fulfill the duties of a paralegal. Paralegal skills are highly desirable skills to possess. As of February of 2020, only an infinitesimal fraction of one percent of the global population are employed as paralegals. In the US, for instance, less than 431,000 are employed as paralegals even though the us population is comprised of over 328,000,000 people as of February of 2020. As of February of 2020, less than .132% of people in the US are employed as paralegals. This means that out of 762 random people in the US, about only one person at most would be employed as a paralegal as of February of 2020. As of February of 2020, it was estimated that there were more medical doctors and attorneys in the US than paralegals even though it takes far more years to fulfill the ample mandatory requirements to become a medical doctor or attorney than it takes to fulfill the mandatory requirements to become a paralegal. As of February of 2020, there are no mandatory requirements that need to be fulfilled for a person to become a paralegal. As of February of 2020, the economy is unequivocally in dire need of more paralegals, especially since they work alongside to attorneys to assist them with handling cases. “For instance, corporate paralegals work with attorneys to handle contractual issues such as shareholder agreements, stock option plans and employee contracts and litigation paralegals work with attorneys that take on cases through the civil trial system” (Gobler, n.d.). Some attorneys even depend on paralegals to assist them with handling cases throughout all of the phases of a case, while other attorneys depend on paralegals to assist them with handling only a particular “phase of a case” (Gobler, n.d.). Paralegals can play an integral role in streamlining the process of handling cases at law firms in contexts in which the paralegals are able to profusely assist attorneys with handling multiple phases of cases. Paralegals are able to fulfill a versatile role at law firms. Paralegals fulfill a vast variety of job functions that extend beyond the ambit of them conducting research. The job functions of a paralegal are multitudinous and are of eminent importance for a paralegal to perform. Paralegals can “handle broad range of administrative and research duties under the supervision of attorneys. For example, during the course of a day, they may organize and maintain legal files or draft documents, deliver or retrieve documents from the courthouse and conduct intensive legal research” (Gobler, n.d.). In addition to fulfilling the aforementioned job functions, “paralegals also investigate the background facts of cases, organize evidence and documents for attorneys to review, accompany lawyers to court, and manage schedules with witnesses and experts” (Gobler, n.d.). The responsibilities of a paralegal are multitudinous. The responsibilities of a paralegal can vastly vary from paralegal to paralegal. “The specific responsibilities of a paralegal can vary greatly, depending on the department, office or law firm in which a paralegal works” (Gobler, n.d.). Law firms frequently delegate work to paralegals and have become less dependent on hiring more attorneys to conduct research for their cases in the 21st century. Without paralegals, law firms would need to more attorneys to handle their caseloads. Law firms are able to significantly reduce their labor costs by hiring additional paralegals to fulfill research duties in lieu of hiring additional attorneys to fulfill research duties. Law firms are able to operate more cost-effectively by hiring additional paralegals.

Bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world, A Practical Introduction to Paralegal Studies offers a thorough exploration of the entire paralegal profession. In a logical three-part organization, experienced author Deborah Bouchoux covers the fundamentals of the paralegal profession and the American legal system, along with the paralegal skills essential for success in the workplace. This engaging and well-written text provides the pragmatic and realistic information students need to hit the ground running. New to the Third Edition: All new Case Illustrations, Discussion Questions, and Internet Closing Arguments. New forms provided throughout the text. Up-to-date information on trends in regulation of the paralegal profession, including overview of innovative limited licensing programs in Washington and Utah as well as other proposals to close the access-to-justice gap. Updated coverage of ethics, including new trends such as alternative business structures, and cutting-edge developments such as nonlawyer ownership of law firms, litigation financing, use of social media, and whether internet-accessible advice and forms constitute the unauthorized practice of law. New developments in computer-assisted legal research, including the use of artificial intelligence and using free tools such as Google Scholar, GovInfo, Congress.gov, and CourtListener to access American law are discussed in Chapter 5. Significantly expanded section on e-discovery in Chapter 8, including a sample privilege log. New section in Chapter 11 on current disruptions to legal services, including alternative legal service providers and other trends. New tips and approaches to getting a job, setting “SMART” goals, handling tricky interview questions, and future-proofing your career, as well as an expanded discussion of soft skills needed to succeed on the job in Chapters 10 and 12. Professors and students will benefit from: Topical coverage that closely adheres to the nature of paralegal work Pedagogical devices that enhance learning, such as chapter overviews, key terms, marginal definitions, website references, case illustrations, practice tips, and chapter summaries Research exercises and Internet-based exercises in each chapter that mirror those performed by the working paralegal Charts, graphs, sample forms, and other aids to enhance learning

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.

A completely updated and revised desk reference for paralegal professionals. Paralegals are the backbone of the legal business. The Paralegal’s Handbook is a guide to the responsibilities and tasks a paralegal may be asked to undertake. In this comprehensive guide to the profession, expert authors Anita Haworth and Leslie Cox explain everything paralegals need to know to handle the job with accuracy and confidence. From ethics issues to a detailed analysis of all the tasks encountered in the various legal specialties, The Paralegal’s Handbook provides invaluable advice and expertise to paralegal professionals. Haworth and Cox are experienced paralegals and provide explanations and details on the various areas of practice paralegals may choose including Family Law, Probate, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Personal Injury Law. They cover everything from handling everyday tasks to reviewing facsimiles of legal documents. This Second Edition is fully updated and revised, with a new section on eDiscovery.