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
- Cover
- Introduction
- Part 1: A Snapshot of the Exciting and Lucrative Paralegal Profession
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Part 2: Important Legal Concepts Every Paralegal Should Know
- Chapter 4: “All Rise”: The American Judicial System
- Chapter 5: The Big Three: Categories of Law
- Chapter 6: Taking a Case to Trial: The Litigation Process
- Chapter 7: How It’s Done: Important Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence
- Chapter 8: Because I Said So: The Categories of Legal Authority
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Chapter 9: The Substantive Law Areas Most Commonly Practiced by Paralegals
- Facing the Family: Domestic Law and Estate Planning
- Building the Boom and Blanketing the Bust: Business and Bankruptcy Law
- Compensating for Pain and Suffering: Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
- Getting It in Writing: Entertainment and Real Estate Law
- Protecting Assets: Tax and Intellectual Property Law
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Part 3: Putting It into Practice: The Paralegal in the Civil Litigation Process
- Chapter 10: The Paper Chase: Preparing Documents
- Chapter 11: Elementary My Dear Watson: Legal Investigation
- Chapter 12: Chewing the Fat: Legal Interviewing
- Chapter 13: Burning the Midnight Oil: Legal Research
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Chapter 14: Where the Rubber Hits the Road: Trial Performance
- Creating the Ultimate Source of Information: The Trial Notebook
- Selecting the Jury: The Paralegal and Voir Dire
- Keeping Track of Witnesses
- Weighing Testimony: The Paralegal’s Take on the Jury’s Reaction
- Preparing Questions for the Attorney
- Settling Up: Preparing the Cost Bill
- Blood from a Turnip: Collecting a Difficult Judgment
- Chapter 15: The Official Word: Ethical Codes for Legal Professionals
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Part 4: Identifying the Skills Paralegals Need to Soar
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Chapter 16: Presenting a Clear, Concise Legal Writing Style
- Corresponding Carefully
- Grammar: Grasping the Foundation of an Effective Writing Style
- Sentence Structure: Positioning the Sentence’s Elements
- Punctuation and Mechanics: Mastering the Rules
- Organization: Structuring the Finished Product
- Proofreading: Polishing the Finished Product
- Avoiding Plagiarism
- Chapter 17: Using Technology in Law
- Chapter 18: Law Office Management 101
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Chapter 16: Presenting a Clear, Concise Legal Writing Style
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Part 5: The Part of Tens
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Chapter 19: The Ten Most Important Rules of Ethics
- Avoiding the Unauthorized Practice of Law
- Maintaining Client Confidentiality
- Disclosing Your Paralegal Status
- Reporting Ethics Violations of Other Legal Professionals
- Disclosing Information to Prevent Death or Serious Bodily Harm
- Sharing Information with Your Supervising Attorney
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
- Obeying All Applicable Attorneys’ Ethics Rules
- Giving Something to the Community: Pro Bono Services
- Making Your Voice Heard: Supporting Efforts to Improve the Legal System
- Chapter 20: Ten Things Every Paralegal Should Know
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Chapter 21: Ten Survival Tips to Thrive in the Legal Environment
- Continue Your Education
- Keep a Good Legal Dictionary Nearby
- Maintain the Integrity of Your Profession
- Be Polite and Patient with Court Clerks
- Take a Mind Reading Course
- Enjoy Problem Solving
- Refrain from Badmouthing Other Paralegals and Attorneys
- Never Act as though You’re Irreplaceable
- Don’t Count on a Normal Work Schedule
- Resist the Urge to Gossip about Clients
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Chapter 19: The Ten Most Important Rules of Ethics
- Part 6: Appendixes
- Index
- About the Authors
- Advertisement Page
- Connect with Dummies
- End User License Agreement
Product information
- Title: Paralegal Career For Dummies, 2nd Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: April 2019
- Publisher(s): For Dummies
- ISBN: 9781119564911
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