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Civil Litigation for Paralegals [by Elizabeth Richardson and Milton Regan Jr.] Whether litigation is your specialty or you are simply looking for clarification on civil issues, Civil Litigation for Paralegals by Elizabeth Richardson and Milton Regan (West Publishing) is a great addition to your reference library. This volume is a comprehensive overview of the litigation process, with sample court documents, detailed legal explanations, and on-the-job advice for paralegals.
The first three chapters deal with the basics:
plaintiff through a negligence suit arising
these sections are quite helpful because
the American court system, jurisdictional
from defects in an electric blanket, while
they address ethical considerations with
issues, and evidence. Ms. Richardson and
the second entails a wrongful-termination
paralegals in mind. For example, the authors
Mr. Regan do a good job of describing the
action. The authors do a great job of this in
talk about the ramifications of paralegals
issues, running down legal terms in detail.
Chapters 4 through 10, where the first case
giving legal advice, the importance of timely
There is also a useful glossary at the end of
is examined through almost every sample
research by paralegals, and ways paralegals
the volume. It seems, though, that a basic
document, filing, and motion. The second
may help attorneys avoid conflicts of interest.
knowledge of civil litigation is helpful in un-
case, on the other hand, receives very little
Chapters conclude with great review ques-
derstanding some elements of the book. For
attention throughout the book-its inclusion is
tions and practical application exercises, but
example, various federal and state opinions
undermined by its lack of presence, making
there do not appear to be any “right” answers
are showcased in each chapter, driving home
the reader wonder why it was used in the
listed in the book.
the chapter’s message with a case in point.
first place. Another small glitch? The first
While the cases are helpful in illustrating the
three chapters could have greatly benefited
Overall, Civil Litigation for Paralegals
text, it seems assumed that the book’s read-
from including the first case in more detail,
proved to be a great reference tool, with
ers will know how to read an actual opinion.
which the authors do not do enough. For ex-
clear examples of civil litigation documents,
ample, the authors’ explanation of personal
pleadings, and filings. It is a straightforward,
The following chapters follow a hands-on
jurisdiction would be made even stronger
helpful, and fairly easy read about this often
approach, describing the litigation process
by applying this remote concept to an actual
dense and tough subject.
step by step, illustrated by sample letters,
case and explaining foreign legal terms
filings, and other documents. Chapter 4
through the suit. Particularly for paralegals
includes great practical tips for interviewing
who have to apply legal issues to real-fact
witnesses, organizing informal investigation,
patterns, the inclusion of the same case ear-
and analyzing claims and remedies. Chapter
lier in the book would have been helpful.
8 describes the discovery process, focusing on the paralegal’s role in particular. It
Civil Litigation for Paralegals is particu-
explains such tasks as organizing docu-
larly strong in its explanation of law office
ments, making deposition arrangements, and
procedures, such as filing, docketing, client
preparing deposition digests. Chapter 9 is
communications, and billing. Ms. Richardson
quite useful for paralegals who perform trial
and Mr. Regan rightfully describe the attor-
preparation tasks, with tips for gathering
ney-paralegal team as an invaluable tool in
documents, organizing the file for trial, and
any law office. However, the book’s ongo-
preparing demonstrative evidence. Chapter
ing role-playing dialogue between fictional
10 is a great description of settlements and
attorneys and paralegals is often skewed:
alternative dispute resolution.
it depicts attorneys as perpetually accom-
Chapter by chapter, the book follows two
their paralegals. If only that were always true
sample cases through the litigation process,
in the “real” legal world!
modating, patient, helpful and polite towards
which is meant to illustrate how the process works in real life. The first case follows a
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Each chapter incorporates an “Ethics Block;”