All of the basic areas of paralegal studies are covered in this book. Careers, ethics, professional responsibilities, pretrial preparation, trial procedures, criminal law, legal interviewing, investigation, legal research, computer-assisted legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing. The text also covers introductory information in a number of different areas of substantive law, including business organizations, torts, civil, criminal, family and real estate. This book offers a completely different approach to teaching paralegal skills in the classroom, bridging the gap between classroom learning and on-the-job realities. Exercises at the end of chapters provide opportunities for students to apply the concepts and skills discussed in the chapter. Many of the books' other features were designed specifically to give students a glimpse of the type of situations and demands that they may encounter on the job as professional paralegals.