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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. CONCISE GUIDE TO COURTS
Introduction
Laws of Jurisdiction
Long-Arm Statutes
Laws of Venue
Federal Court System
State Court System
Summary
2. HOW TO INITIATE A CIVIL ACTION
Introduction
Paralegal's Role in Commencing Civil Actions
Causes of Actions and Counts
Parties, Capacity, and Status
Importance of Statutes of Limitations
What is a Complaint?
Solid Techniques for Preparing Complaints, Counterclaims, Crossclaims, and
Third-Party Claims
Perfecting Service of Process
What You Should Know About Service and Filing of Complaints, Counterclaims,
Crossclaims, and Third-Party Claims
Twenty Dependable Ways to Locate Defendants
Summary
3. RESPONDING ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT
Introduction
Defendant's Response
Techniques for Drafting the Answer
Systematic Procedure for Drafting the Answer
Defenses to Negligence
No-Fault Statutes
Filing Amended or Supplemental Pleadings
Summary
4. WRITING SKILLS FOR THE PARALEGAL
Introduction
Learning to Write Simply and Directly
Stamp out Legalese
Consistency in Writing
Guide to Writing Effective Memos
How to Improve Your Brief Writing
Eliminate Unnecessary Drafts
Delete Excess Verbiage
The Artful Use of Ambiguity in Legal Writing
Improving Your Writing by Abolishing Sexism
Punctuation of Legal Writing
Summary
5. LEGAL INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
Introduction
Preparing for the Client Interview
Handling the Client Interview
Ending the Interview
Documenting the Interview
Maintaining Contact with the Client
Summary
6. THE PARALEGAL'S ROLE IN MOTION PRACTICE
Introduction
Purposes of Motions
Structure of Motions
Supporting Affidavits
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
Motion for Summary Judgment
Motion for More Definite Statement
Motion to Strike
Motion to Dismiss
Stipulations
Notices
Summary
7. GETTING RESULTS FROM PRETRIAL INVESTIGATIONS
Introduction
Purpose and Scope of Pretrial Investigation
Investigative Methods to Save You Time and Trouble
Rules of Evidence
Finding Leads and Sources
Systematic Procedure for Investigating a Negligence Action
Interviewing Witnesses
Witness Statements
Questions to Ask the Investigating Police Officer
Public Record Searches
Automobile Accidents (Personal Injury)
Summary
8. EXCELLING IN DISCOVERY
Introduction
Purposes of Discovery
Rules of Discovery
Common Paralegal Discovery Tasks
Drafting Interrogatories
Raising Objections to Interrogatories
Answers to Interrogatories
Requests for Production
Requests for Admissions
Answers to Requests for Admissions
Motions to Compel
Protective Orders
Depositions and Deposition Digests
Motions for Physical and Mental Examinations
Summary
9. HANDLING MEDICAL DISCOVERY
Introduction
Phase: Information Gathering
Phase: Organizing and Reviewing Information
Phase: Selecting Expert Witnesses
Summary
10. HOW TO EXPEDITE YOUR LEGAL RESEARCH
Introduction
General Approach to Legal Research
Systematic Procedure for Developing a Research Plan
Research Guide for Keeping Track of Progress
Computerized Research Systems
Checking Citations
Shepardizing
Summary
11. ASSISTING IN NEGOTIATIONS, PRETRIAL CONFERENCES, AND SETTLEMENT
Introduction
Doing Your Homework Prior to Settlement
Information Needed for Settlement Documents
Settlement Précis
Settlement Brochure
Settlement Negotiations Checklist
Settlement Distribution Statement
Settlement Agreement
Pretrial Conferences
Releases
Stipulation and Order for Dismissal
Summary
12. ASSISTING IN TRIAL PREPARATION
Introduction
Preparing Witnesses for Trial
Evaluating Prospective Jurors
Assisting with Jury Instructions
Preparing and Evaluating Cases
Preparing Organized Witness Files
Preparing Exhibits for Trial
Additional Ways to Be Helpful at Trial
For Trial: Case Statutes Checklist
Summary
13. HOW COMPUTERS ARE USED IN LITIGATION
Introduction
Managing Information through Databases
Case Management Systems
Recent Developments in Computer-Assisted Legal Research
Special Software for Litigation
Document Assembly
Control through Document Management
Work-Product Retrieval System
Electronic Mail
Computers in the Courts
Summary
14. AUTOMATED LITIGATION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Introduction
Benefits of Automated Litigation Support
Computer Resources for an Automated Litigation Support System
Implementing an Automated Litigation Support System
Retrieving Information from an Automated Litigation Support System
Maintaining and Administering an Automated Litigation System
Summary
15. PROCEDURE AND PRACTICE AFTER JUDGMENT
Introduction
Post-Trial Motions
Motion for Judgment notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV)
Motion for New Trial
Collecting and Enforcing the Judgment
Domesticating a Judgment in another State
Appointment of Receivers
Summary
16. HOW TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN APPELLATE PRACTICE
Introduction
Appellate Procedure
Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law
Perfecting the Appeal
Appendix to the Brief and Other Papers
Summary
LIST OF APPENDIXES
  • Paralegal Skills Inventory Test
  • Sample Paralegal Evaluation
  • Affirmation of Responsibility of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations-NFPA
  •  Member Associations of the National of Paralegal Associations
  • Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the NationalAssociation of Legal Assistants,Inc. Member Affiliates
  • Databases Used by Law Firms
  • Litigation Support Software Evaluation Form
  • Relational Databases
  • Federal Agencies
  • State Agencies
  • Local Agencies
  • Useful Abbreviations of Legal Terms and Law Office Terminology
  • Trite Words and Phrases to Avoid
  • Glossary
  • Index of Exhibits, Checklists, and Forms
  • Index
Author CaroleBruno announces the e-Book online release of the Paralegal's Litigation Handbook 2E, prevously published by West Publishing Company.
FOR INSTRUCTORS: A print version of the Instructor's Manual With Test Bank to Accompany the Second Edition of the Paralegal's Litigation Handbook and a Course Syllabus is also available separately.
This comprehensive book starts with a guide to the Courts, and then leads you through the initiation of a civil action, responding for the defendant, and explains in action steps interviewing techniques, motions, investigations, discovery (including medical discovery), legal research and writing; assisting in negotiations, and trial preparation
Copyright  2001 - 2008 Paralegal Focus, Inc. All rights reserved.