The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach,
7th Edition

1. Welcome to the Law Office: Foundations for Litigation.
2. The Initial Interview.
3. Evidence and Investigation.
4. Drafting the Complaint.
5. Filing the Lawsuit, Service of Process, and Obtaining a Default Judgment.
6. Defending and Testing the Lawsuit: Motions, Answers, and Other.
7. Discovery and Electronic Discovery: Overview and Interrogatories.
8. Discovery: Depositions.
9. Discovery: Document Production and Control, Medical Exams, Admissions.
10. Settlement and Other Alternative Dispute Resolutions.
11. Trial Preparation and Trial.
12. Post-Trial Practice from Motions to Appeal.
Appendices.
Glossary.
Index.

• James W. H. McCord

  James McCord is an experienced trial attorney in criminal law, a professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School and a member of the Wisconsin and Kentucky Bar Associations. A frequent speaker at legal conferences, he is the author of several books and articles on the paralegal profession and practice. Professor McCord is a past president of the American Association for Paralegal Education, a former member of the American Bar Association Legal Assistant Program Approval Commission and included in "Who's Who in Law."

• Pamela Tepper

  Pamela R. Tepper is the solicitor general of the Virgin Islands. She manages the Solicitor General Division of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, which focuses on appeals, contracts, habeas corpus challenges and employment issues. Previously she served as the deputy solicitor general of this department, where she managed the section's contracts, appeals and special projects. From 2000 to 2008, Tepper was vice president of legal affairs and general counsel at the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. For more than 20 years, she has taught in several paralegal programs, including the Southeastern Paralegal Institute and Southern Methodist University programs in Dallas, Texas; The University of Texas, Arlington; and the University of the Virgin Islands. In addition to this textbook, Tepper has authored THE LAW OF CONTRACTS AND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, BASIC LEGAL WRITING FOR PARALEGALS, LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING and TEXAS LEGAL RESEARCH. Tepper earned a B.A. from Hamilton College and her J.D. at New England Law in Boston, Massachusetts. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and the Virgin Islands. She also practices in the Virgin Islands District Court and Federal Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

• "Keeping Up with Yourself" features offer insight and tips for creating a healthy work-life balance. A new section on work-life balance spotlights issues paralegals and legal professionals face in the practice of law, offering practical tips for managing day-to-day challenges.

• The new Social Media in the Litigation Practice section focuses on the impact, influence and strategy of using social media in litigation, illustrating some of the "do's and don'ts" as well as the practical and ethical implications of its use.

• "Ethical Considerations" provide guidance on the ethical standards required of paralegals and attorneys and now include discussion questions to keep the conversation going.

• Throughout the text, "Ethics Assignment" discussion questions focus specifically on ethics, reinforcing the ethics issues raised in the chapter and providing additional fact scenarios to consider with students.

• Additional internet-based activities in "Apply Your Knowledge" and "Internet Exercises" help students build critical thinking skills by asking them to apply principles and concepts to real-world situations.

• New analysis problems, study/review questions and internet applications enhance learning and retention of new text material, while new chapter-opening learning objectives provide a framework for the terms and concepts introduced in each chapter.

• The completely re-imagined Summary section at the end of each chapter is now an outline that follows the chapter headings in much greater detail. In addition, a number of the long exhibits have been moved to the appendix -- resulting in a more streamlined book.

• Social media has become a centerpiece in many people's lives. The information can and will be used in the litigation process. Social media and its effect in litigation is featured in every chapter, along with details on how it can and cannot be used.

• Clear and concise presentation of concepts and practice skills promotes quicker comprehension and easier application of chapter material.

• Realistic case scenarios and assignments simulate the law office setting -- stimulating student interest and motivation. These case scenarios are reemphasized in the "Case Assignment" and "Ethics Assignment" sections, the systems folder assignments and the end-of-chapter applications assignments.

• References to key court decisions and examination of pertinent rules of law, evidence and procedures enhance student understanding of the importance of legal authority and policies.

• The "Case Study: Understanding the Law" gives students practice reviewing, researching and analyzing the same kinds of cases they would see in a law office or other legal setting.

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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