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The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach, 7th Edition

James W. H. McCord, J.D., Pamela R. Tepper

  • Copyright 2024
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2023-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $79.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach 7th Edition by James W. H. McCord, J.D./Pamela R. Tepper
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Overview

Combining theories and principles of law with practical skills, McCord/Tepper's THE LITIGATION PARALEGAL: A SYSTEMS APPROACH, 7th edition, gives students an engaging, highly visual overview of the role of the paralegal in today's legal settings. Detailed exhibits, forms, checklists and practical tips illustrate the realities of paralegal work, while the book's proven step-by-step law office litigation system stresses organizational skills and quality control techniques. The new edition covers the latest electronic discovery issues and the associated ethical and practical responsibilities of the lawyer and paralegal as well as work-life balance in the legal profession and the impact of social media in the litigation setting. A wide range of new and updated cases, assignments, key terms and study questions help students master the content, and new assignments emphasize the importance of ethics.

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Meet the Authors

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James W. H. McCord, J.D.

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 R. Tepper

Pamela R. Tepper is the Solicitor General of the Virgin Islands Department of Justice in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She presently manages the Solicitor General Division which focuses on appeals, contract review, administrative representation of the executive branch departments and the preparation of legal advice to those departments. She was formerly an Assistant Attorney General and the Deputy Solicitor General of that Department, managing the divisions contracts, appeals and special projects. From 2000 to 2008, Ms. Tepper was the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel at the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. For over 20 years, Ms. Tepper has taught at a number of paralegal programs, including the Southeastern Paralegal Institute and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas; The University of Texas, Arlington campus; and the University of the Virgin Islands. Along with this textbook, Ms. Tepper is the author of THE LAW OF CONTRACTS AND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, 4th Edition; THE LITIGATION PARALEGAL, 7th Edition; BASIC LEGAL WRITING FOR PARALEGALS, 2nd Edition; LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING and TEXAS LEGAL RESEARCH, 2nd Edition. Ms. Tepper has argued cases before the Federal Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Virgin Islands Supreme Court. She is licensed to practice in Texas and the Virgin Islands.

What's New

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  • "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.

Features

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  • 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.

Table of Contents

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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.

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  • ISBN-10: 0357767373
  • ISBN-13: 9780357767375
  • RETAIL $79.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357767330
  • ISBN-13: 9780357767337
  • RETAIL $214.95
Instructor Next Steps
Students: Buy now