Apply important legal concepts and skills you need to succeedGet educated, land a job, and start making money now!Want a new career as a paralegal but don't know where to start?Relax! Paralegal Career For Dummies is the practical, hands-onguide to all the basics -- from getting certified to landing a joband getting ahead. Inside, you'll find all the tools you need tosucceed, including a CD packed with sample memos, forms, letters,and more!Discover how to* Secure your ideal paralegal position* Pick the right area of the law for you* Prepare documents for litigation* Conduct legal research* Manage a typical law officeSample resumes, letters, forms, legal documents, and links toonline legal resources.Please see the CD-ROM appendix for details and complete systemrequirements.

Introduction 1Part I: A Snapshot of the Exciting and Lucrative ParalegalProfession 7Chapter 1: Discovering the Paralegal Profession 9Chapter 2: Membership Has Its Privileges: Paralegal Associationsand Their Certification Exams 21Chapter 3: The Hunt Is On: Securing a Paralegal Position 27Part II: Important Legal Concepts Every Paralegal Should Know37Chapter 4: "All Rise": The American Judicial System39Chapter 5: The Big Three: Categories of Law 57Chapter 6: Taking a Case to Trial: The Litigation Process 79Chapter 7: How It's Done: Important Rules of CivilProcedure and Evidence 99Chapter 8: Because I Said So: The Categories of Legal Authority115Chapter 9: The Substantive Law Areas Most Commonly Practiced byParalegals 123Part III: Putting It into Practice: The Paralegal in theCivil Litigation Process 137Chapter 10: The Paper Chase: Preparing Documents 139Chapter 11: Elementary My Dear Watson: Legal Investigation167Chapter 12: Chewing the Fat: Legal Interviewing 179Chapter 13: Burning the Midnight Oil: Legal Research 193Chapter 14: Where the Rubber Hits the Road: Trial Performance211Chapter 15: The Official Word: Ethical Codes for LegalProfessionals 225Part IV: Skills Paralegals Need to Soar Ahead 239Chapter 16: Write On: Presenting a Clear, Concise Legal WritingStyle 241Chapter 17: The Latest Thing: Using Technology in Law 269Chapter 18: Law Office Management 101 281Part V: The Part of Tens 293Chapter 19: The Ten Most Important Rules of Ethics 295Chapter 20: Ten Things Every Paralegal Should Know 299Chapter 21: Ten Survival Tips to Thrive in the Legal Environment303Part VI: Appendixes 307Appendix A: Glossary of Important Legal Terms: A Mini LegalDictionary 309Appendix B: About the CD 335Index 347