Paralegal Today,
7th Edition

PART I: THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION.
1. Today's Paralegal Profession.
2. Career Opportunities.
3. The Inner Workings of the Law Office.
4. Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
5. Sources of American Law.
6. The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
PART II: LEGAL PROCEDURES AND PARALEGAL SKILLS.
7. Legal Research and Analysis.
8. Online Legal Research.
9. Legal Writing: Form and Substance.
10. Civil Litigation: Before the Trial.
11. Conducting Interviews and Investigations.
12. Trial Procedures.
13. Criminal Law and Procedures.
NALA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
NALA's Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants.
NFPA's Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement.
NALS Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Paralegal Associations.
Information on NALA's CP Program.
Information on NFPA's PCCE™ and PACE® Examinations.
Information on NALS Certification.
The Constitution of the United States.
Spanish Equivalents for Important Legal Terms in English.

• Roger LeRoy Miller

  Roger LeRoy Miller, Ph.D. has served on the faculty of several universities, including the University of Washington, Clemson University, and the University of Miami School of Law. As a professor, he has taught intellectual property law and entertainment law, among other subjects. A widely published and respected author, his work has appeared in the Insurance Counsel Journal, Defense Research, California Trial Lawyers Journal, Antitrust Bulletin, Wisconsin Law Review, and Connecticut Law Review. He has authored or co-authored numerous authoritative textbooks on law, including BUSINESS LAW: TEXT & CASES; BUSINESS LAW TODAY: TEXT & SUMMARIZED CASES; and THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT TODAY. Professor Miller completed his studies at the University of California at Berkeley and University of Chicago.

• Mary Meinzinger

  Mary Meinzinger is the paralegal program chair at Madonna University. She is highly respected and is an active member of AAfPE.

• Expanded coverage of how law firms use social media tools, such as Facebook, includes the positive roles paralegals can play in developing the marketing of a firm -- as well as the personal career pitfalls that can come from improper use.

• Enhanced discussion of law firm e-mail policies and social media strategies help students prepare for today's workplace.

• Extensively revised coverage of online legal research tools, including detailed discussions of the costs and benefits of WestlawNext, Lexis Advantage, Bloomberg Law, and Google Scholar, gives students an overview of the array of tools they can use on the job.

• Designed for anyone considering a career as a paralegal, the 7th edition of PARALEGAL TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the legal system through real-world examples, practical applications, ethical dilemmas, and hands-on assignments. With thorough coverage of the basic, key areas of paralegal studies, this text ensures that students develop a comprehensive understanding of the laws in our society, the importance of ethical and professional responsibility, and the skills needed to thrive in the legal environment. The text includes increased coverage of technology in the workplace, including critical topics such as confidentiality issues, e-mail policies, technology in the courtroom, and the use of social media in crime detection and enforcing delinquent court judgments.

• Expanded coverage of how law firms use social media tools, such as Facebook, includes the positive role paralegals can play in developing the marketing of a firm -- as well as the personal career pitfalls that can come from improper use.

• Enhanced coverage of law firm e-mail policies and social media strategies helps you prepare for today's workplace.

• Revised coverage of online legal research tools includes detailed discussions of the costs and benefits of WestlawNext, Lexis Advantage, Bloomberg Law, and Google Scholar, giving you an overview of the research tools you'll use on the job.

• New coverage of organizing and protecting electronic records gives you an understanding the paralegal's role in protecting the firm against over-exposure in case of litigation.

• DEVELOPING PARALEGAL SKILLS. This feature allows students to see how what they are learning is put into practice.

• REAL-WORLD RELEVANCE. Real-world examples and Featured Contributors add multiple perspectives and bring concepts to life.

• PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. A strong ethical focus emphasizes the paralegal's professional responsibility in every aspect of the law. For example, "Ethics Watch" features take students into hypothetical situations that present an ethical problem. In addition, "In the Office" features provide tips on how paralegals can be more productive and professional.

• VISUAL APPEAL. Engaging, highly visual content gives students a thorough introduction to not only the legal system in general, but to specific areas of the law and the paralegal's integral role as a member of the legal team.

• STUDY TOOLS. Numerous features and exhibits throughout the text and comprehensive end-of-chapter activities emphasize applying concepts. Internet-based end-of-chapter research questions provide students opportunities for hands-on practice.

• TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE. Materials and features throughout the text demonstrate how the latest developments in technology are affecting the law, the legal workplace, and paralegal tasks. Topics include confidentiality issues, e-mail policies, technology in the courtroom, and the use of social media in crime detection and in the enforcement of delinquent court judgments.

• GROUP PROJECTS. A "Group Project" in each set of end-of-chapter questions presents an opportunity for small groups of students to work together researching key topics and presenting their findings to the class.

• REAL-WORLD RELEVANCE. Real-world examples bring the material to life.

• PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. A strong ethical focus emphasizes the paralegal's professional responsibility in every aspect of the law. In addition, "In the Office" features provide tips on how to be more productive and professional.

• VISUAL APPEAL. Engaging, highly visual content gives you a thorough introduction to not only the legal system in general, but to specific areas of the law and the paralegal's integral role as a member of the legal team.

• STUDY TOOLS. Numerous features and exhibits throughout the text and comprehensive end-of-chapter activities give you an opportunity to apply concepts.

• TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE. Materials and features throughout the text demonstrate how the latest developments in technology are affecting the law, the legal workplace, and paralegal tasks. Topics include confidentiality issues, e-mail policies, technology in the courtroom, and the use of social media in crime detection and enforcing delinquent court judgments.

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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MindTap: Paralegal Today 12 Months
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