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NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

by: National Association of Legal Assistants

NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

by: National Association of Legal Assistants

ISBN 13:
9781401883423
ISBN 10:
1401883427
Edition: 4th
Format: Hardcover
Copyright: 10/21/2004
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Summary

The NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants: A General Skills & Litigation Guide for Today's Professionals Fourth Edition (previously titled The NALA Manual for Legal Assistants) is designed to serve as a quick reference guide for working legal assistants, to be used by schools as a textbook for intro courses and reference material, and to assist legal assistants preparing to take the Certified Legal Assistant examination. It is a collection of proven techniques and procedures used by paralegals nationwide. The techniques described are examples of successful solutions to actual assignments accomplished by working legal assistants. They may be used as starting points from which changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made by legal assistants in similar situations.

Acknowledgments

xiv

Foreword

xvi

Introduction

(1)

Before We Begin

(1)

Introduction

(1)

What Is NALA?

(1)

What Is a Legal Assistant?

(2)

Who Do Legal Assistants Work For?

(1)

Professional Standards: Education and Experience

(1)

What Does a Paralegal Do?

(1)

Utilization and Billing

(1)

Compensation

(1)

Professional Certification and Activities

(2)

Summary

(1)

Endnotes

(1)

Introduction to the American Legal System

(19)

Law in American Society

(1)

History, Theory, Philosophy

(1)

Sources of American Law

(2)

Common Law

(1)

Statutory Law

(1)

Administrative Law

(1)

Constitutional Law

(1)

The American Legal System

(7)

Court Systems

(1)

Federal Court System

(4)

State Court System

(1)

Jurisdiction

(1)

Legislative Systems

(2)

Administrative Systems

(1)

Classifications of Law

(2)

Substantive and Procedural Law

(2)

Public and Private Law

(1)

Civil and Criminal Law

(1)

Remedies

(1)

Law and Equity

(1)

Alternative Dispute Resolution

(5)

Historical Perspective

(1)

The Multidoor Courthouse Experiment

(1)

Arbitration

(1)

Mediation

(1)

Other ADR Forms: Minitrial, Summary Jury Trial, and Moderated Settlement Conference

(1)

ADR Fears and Misconceptions

(1)

Role of the Legal Assistant

(1)

Bibliography

(1)

Endnotes

(1)

Legal Research

(55)

Introduction

(1)

Principles of Legal Research

(3)

Case Law and Statutory Law

(2)

Five Steps of Research

(4)

Step One: Analyzing the Facts

(1)

Step Two: Identifying the Law

(1)

Step Three: Finding the Law

(1)

Step Four: Updating the Search

(1)

Step Five: Reporting the Research and Commenting on the Adversary's Position

(2)

Basic Research Procedures and Practices

(2)

Retention of Legal Research

(1)

Compilation of a Personal Case Book

(1)

Devise a Workable System to Avoid Duplication in Research

(1)

Save Time and Steps

(1)

Be Familiar with the Hierarchy of the Courts and the Reporting Systems

(1)

Sources of the Law in Research

(1)

Primary Authority

(1)

Secondary Authority

(1)

Search Methods---Finding the Law

(25)

The Subject or Text Approach

(8)

The West Topic and Key Number System

(7)

The Statutory Approach to Law

(6)

Case Approach to the Law

(4)

Use of Shepard's Citations or ``Shepardizing''™

(4)

Case Research

(1)

State Shepard's Citations

(1)

Federal Shepard's Citations

(1)

Statutory Research

(1)

Court Rules

(1)

Administrative Decisions

(1)

Shepard's Federal Labor Law Citations

(1)

Law Review Articles

(1)

Supplements

(1)

Review of the Basic Research Process

(5)

Let's Research

(1)

Facts---Example No. 1

(1)

Facts---Example No. 2

(1)

Research Memorandum---Example No. 1

(2)

Memorandum and Draft Letter---Example No. 2

(1)

Modern Technology and Legal Research

(6)

Computer-Based Systems

(2)

Computer-Assisted Research Methods

(2)

Benefits of Computer-Based Media

(1)

Photography, Microfilm, Microfiche, and Microform

(1)

Research Delegation Considerations

(1)

Research Tasks

(1)

Summary

(2)

Bibliography

(2)

Ethics

(29)

Introduction

(2)

Duties a Legal Assistant May Perform under the Supervision of an Attorney

(2)

Ethical Considerations in the Work Environment

(8)

The Legal Assistant in the Client-Lawyer Relationship

(5)

Transactions with Persons Other Than Clients

(1)

The Legal Assistant and the Law Firm

(1)

The Legal Assistant and Public Service/Pro Bono Activities

(1)

The Legal Assistant and the Unauthorized Practice of Law

(2)

Adequate Supervision by the Attorney

(2)

Summary

100

(1)

Codes and Guidelines

101

(12)

National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (as amended through 1995)

101

(1)

National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants (Annotated)

102

(9)

Bibliography

111

(1)

Endnotes

111

(2)

Judgment and Analytical Ability

113

(23)

Introduction

113

(1)

How to Develop Good Judgment

114

(6)

Understand the Reporting System and Delegation of Responsibilities

114

(1)

Understand the Scope, Instructions, and Authority Delegated

115

(2)

Appreciate Priorities

117

(1)

Honor Time Commitments

117

(1)

Recognize Exceptional Situations

118

(1)

Accept Guidance, Directions, and Comments Constructively

119

(1)

Enthusiastically Observe Moral and Ethical Standards

120

(1)

Analytical Ability

120

(13)

Basic Rules

123

(4)

Analytical Techniques

127

(6)

Summary

133

(1)

Discussion Problems, Commentaries, and Answers to Sample Questions

133

(3)

Bibliography

135

(1)

Endnotes

135

(1)

Communications

136

(25)

Communication Concept

137

(1)

Ultimate Skill

137

(1)

Methods of Communication

138

(1)

Basic Communication Skills

138

(2)

Public Speaking and Oral Presentations

139

(1)

Reading and Writing

139

(1)

Special Problems

139

(1)

Nonverbal Communication

140

(2)

Facial Expressions

140

(1)

Hands and Gestures

141

(1)

Eye Contact and Body Position

141

(1)

The Office and the Image

142

(1)

Verbal Communication---The Listening Portion

142

(3)

Fast Mind---Slow Mouth

142

(1)

Listen and Note

143

(1)

Words---The Key to Speaking

143

(1)

Jargon

143

(1)

Meanings, Words, Sounds, and Vocabulary

143

(1)

Ethnic Language and ``Street Talk''

144

(1)

Understanding Is the Objective

144

(1)

Voice Tone and Implication

144

(1)

Facial Expressions and Word Meaning

144

(1)

Telephone Techniques

145

(3)

Telephone Etiquette

145

(1)

Identification and Notation

146

(1)

Confirming Letters

146

(1)

Phonetics

147

(1)

Recording Telephone Statements

147

(1)

Cellular Phones

147

(1)

Dictating Equipment

148

(2)

Voice Use

149

(1)

The Outline

149

(1)

Verbalizing Punctuation

149

(1)

Review, Edit, and Learn

149

(1)

Using the Computer

150

(1)

Effective Use of Computers

150

(1)

Effective Use of E-Mail

150

(1)

Written Communication

151

(10)

Internal Correspondence

152

(3)

Correspondence---Out-of-Office

155

(3)

Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling

158

(2)

Bibliography

160

(1)

Endnotes

160

(1)

Interviewing Techniques

161

(23)

Introduction

162

(1)

The Interview: What It Is and What It Is Not?

163

(3)

Obtaining Statements

164

(1)

Written Statements

164

(1)

Formal Statements

165

(1)

The Participants

166

(1)

The Legal Assistant

166

(1)

The Client

166

(1)

Witnesses

166

(1)

General Considerations for Every Interview

167

(5)

Language

167

(1)

Listening

168

(1)

Confabulation and Deception

169

(1)

The Motivation to Speak

170

(1)

Confirming Interviews by Letter

171

(1)

Questioning Techniques

172

(2)

Question Construction

172

(1)

Refining Judgment Statements

173

(1)

Recapitulation

174

(1)

Interview Preliminaries

174

(5)

Scheduling Considerations

174

(1)

Review of Law and Facts

174

(1)

Gathering Checklists and Forms

175

(1)

Planning the Interview Site

175

(2)

Notetaking

177

(1)

Electronic Recording Decisions

177

(2)

The Interview Proper

179

(3)

Introductions

179

(1)

Establishing the Purpose of the Interview

180

(1)

The Meeting and the Establishment of Rapport

180

(1)

Beginning the Interview

181

(1)

The Body of the Interview

181

(1)

Concluding the Interview

182

(1)

Summarizing the Interview

182

(2)

Evaluation of the Witness

182

(1)

Elements of Proof

182

(1)

Possible Remedies, Responses, and Additional Potential Defendants

183

(1)

Leads to Additional Witnesses, Evidence, or Documentation

183

(1)

Bibliography

183

(1)

General References for Further Study

183

(1)

Investigation

184

(24)

The Gatherer of Facts

185

(1)

Informal Discovery---Basic Elements

185

(1)

Judgment and Ethics

186

(1)

The Investigation Plan

186

(3)

The Plan Outline

187

(1)

Inhibitors of Investigation

187

(1)

Formal and Informal Discovery and Privilege

188

(1)

Public Relations in Investigation

189

(1)

In-Office Investigations

190

(3)

Telephone

190

(1)

Correspondence

191

(1)

Computer Resources

191

(2)

Physical Examination

193

(1)

Locating Witnesses

193

(5)

Experts

195

(3)

Obtaining and Preserving Evidence

198

(4)

Identification

198

(1)

Physical Evidence

199

(1)

Documents

199

(1)

Control and Retrieval

200

(1)

Storage

201

(1)

Testing and Examination

202

(1)

Surveillance and Activity Checks

202

(1)

Demonstrative Evidence

203

(3)

Sketches and Drawings

203

(1)

Photography

203

(2)

Video

205

(1)

Preserving Digital, Electronic, and Photographic Documents and Objects

206

(1)

Discovery through Investigation

207

(1)

Bibliography

207

(1)

Pretrial Litigation Skills

208

(59)

Introduction

210

(1)

The Advocacy System and the Legal Assistant

210

(1)

Specific Litigation Skills

211

(1)

Preliminary Considerations in Litigation

211

(1)

Pleadings and Pretrial Motions

212

(6)

Rules of Procedure

212

(1)

Pleadings

212

(4)

Administrative Controls

216

(2)

Discovery and Pretrial Preparation

218

(2)

Interrogatories

220

(22)

Interrogatories as Part of the Discovery Plan

220

(1)

Objectives and Purpose

221

(5)

Drafting Interrogatories

226

(6)

Answering Interrogatories

232

(7)

Opposing Party Answers to Interrogatories

239

(3)

Depositions

242

(8)

Making Arrangements for Depositions

243

(1)

Formal Notice for the Deposition

243

(1)

Subpoenas

244

(1)

Preparation of the Deposition Outline

244

(1)

Preparation of Your Client or Witness for Deposition

245

(1)

Attending Depositions

245

(1)

Tracking Deposition Exhibits

246

(1)

Summarizing Depositions

246

(4)

Requests for Admission

250

(2)

Timing

251

(1)

Form

251

(1)

Collation of Denials and Cost of Proof

252

(1)

Requests for Production of Documents

252

(3)

Basic Considerations

253

(1)

Form

254

(1)

Requesting Documents from Nonparties

254

(1)

Motions to Compel Discovery

255

(1)

Discovery and Exhibit Control Systems, Damage Calculations and Settlement Offers

256

(11)

Discovery and Exhibit Control Systems

256

(2)

Damage Calculations

258

(4)

Personal Injury Settlement Offers and Associated Greats

262

(3)

Bibliography

265

(2)

The Legal Assistant and Document Discovery Cases

267

(44)

Introduction

268

(6)

The Discovery Plan

269

(5)

Client Documents

274

(21)

Locate

274

(3)

Control

277

(4)

Identify and Review

281

(5)

Retrieve and Produce

286

(7)

Return and Destroy

293

(2)

Adversary and Other Documents

295

(3)

Control and Organization

295

(1)

Review and Analysis

295

(2)

Working with the Documents

297

(1)

Return and Destroy

298

(1)

Customizing Database Forms

298

(5)

Document Databases

298

(1)

Individual and Entity Database

299

(4)

Advanced Document Management with Computers

303

(8)

Introduction

303

(1)

Initial Work-Effort Considerations

304

(1)

File-Handling Costs

304

(1)

Increased Attorney Involvement

304

(1)

Additional Staff Time

305

(1)

Benefits

305

(1)

Evaluation Factors in Implementing Advanced Document Management

305

(5)

Bibliography

310

(1)

Assisting at Trial

311

(16)

Introduction

311

(1)

Trial Preparation

312

(1)

Investigation of the Jury Panel

312

(1)

Trial Notebooks

312

(5)

Trial Plan/``To Do'' List

313

(1)

Key Pleadings

314

(1)

Witness Section

314

(1)

Exhibit Section

314

(1)

Jury Panel

315

(1)

The Legal Assistant and the Trial Notebook

316

(1)

The Legal Assistant at the Trial

317

(10)

Witnesses, Control, and Liaison

318

(2)

Fees, Costs, and Expenses

320

(1)

Exhibit/Evidence Log

320

(2)

Daily Trial Review and Planning Meeting

322

(1)

Trial Notes

322

(1)

Polling the Jury

323

(3)

Bibliography

326

(1)

Glossary: Legal Terminology

327

(45)

Introduction

327

(1)

Latin Words and Phrases

327

(11)

General Legal Terms and Phrases

338

(6)

Business and Corporate Terms

344

(4)

Litigation Terms

348

(10)

Real Estate Terms

358

(8)

Probate Terms

366

(6)

Appendix 1

372

(24)

Appellate Brief of the National Association of Legal Assistants Submitted to the United States Supreme Court, 1988

372

(10)

The Court's Opinion: Missouri v. Jenkins, 109 S.Ct. 2463 (1989)

382

(14)

Appendix 2

396

(12)

Amicus brief on screening non-lawyer employees filed in Oklahoma Supreme Court

396

(12)

Appendix 3

408

(13)

Summary of Definitions of Terms: Legal Assistant and Paralegal

408

(13)

Index

421

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

9781401883423

1401883427

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

NALA Manual for Paralegals and Legal Assistants

9781401883423

1401883427

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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