NCJ Number
57110
Date Published
1977
Length
233 pages
Annotation
THIS CAREER GUIDE FOR PARALEGALS, WHICH CAN BE USED AS A TEXT IN PARALEGAL TRAINING COURSES, INTRODUCES READERS TO THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION, DESCRIBES DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE TEXT OPENS WITH THE OVERVIEW OF THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION, WHICH GREW OUT OF THE NEED TO DELIVER CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENT LEGAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. PARALEGALS CAN PERFORM MANY TRADITIONAL LEGAL FUNCTIONS (E.G., ANALYZING LEGAL MATERIAL, SELECTING AND COMPILING SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION ON STATUTES AND TREATIES) THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A LAW DEGREE, ARE TIME CONSUMING, AND ARE COSTLY IF DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL CHARGING HIGH HOURLY RATES. BASIC PARALEGAL FUNCTIONS--LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT, INTERVIEWING CLIENTS AND TRIAL PREPARATION, AND PRODUCING OFFICE FORMS--ARE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL. SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED FOR CARRYING OUT THESE FUNCTIONS, AND SAMPLE OFFICE FORMS, OFFICE LETTERS, INTERVIEW FORMATS AND OUTLINES OF CLIENT INFORMATION, AND SAMPLE LEGAL FORMS ARE PRESENTED. AN OVERVIEW OF THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM ACQUAINTS PARALEGALS WITH THE MACHINERY OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM (COURTS, JURISDICTIONS, THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM, U.S. DISTRICT COURTS, COURTS OF APPEAL, THE SUPREME COURT, AND THE STATE COURT SYSTEMS). JUDICIAL DECISIONMAKING IS EXPLAINED WITH REFERENCES TO STARE DECISIS (THE BASIS OF COMMON LAW), RULE OF THE CASE, AND CONFLICT LAW; JUDICIAL REMEDIES ARE DESCRIBED INCLUDING EQUITABLE REMEDIES, JURY TRIALS, AND COMMON LAW REMEDIES. CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURES ARE BRIEFLY OUTLINED. THE TEXT ALSO DESCRIBES PARALEGAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION ISSUES AND PRESENTS SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINES IN REAL ESTATE, PROBATE, CORPORATIONS, NEGLIGENCE AND LITIGATION, AND GENERAL PRACTICE LAW. TYPICAL FINAL EXAMINATIONS ARE FURNISHED. THE FINAL CHAPTER FOCUSES ON THE JOB MARKET AND OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT AND DISCUSSES PREPARATION FOR THE INTERVIEW, WRITING THE RESUME, AND SEEKING OUT SOURCES OF EMPLOYMENT. SAMPLE RESUMES AND INTERVIEWS ARE PRESENTED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION'S GUIDELINES FOR USING PARALEGALS, THE AMERICAN PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS FOR LEGAL ASSISTANTS, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANT'S CODE OF ETHICS, AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. (DAG)