Litigation and Trial Practice

Litigation and Trial Practice for the Legal Assistant, sixth edition provides comprehensive coverage of the civil litigation practice for paralegals. This thoroughly revised text covers the litigation process from the pre-suit investigation to the appeal. The text provides detailed information on how to assist the attorney at each phase as well as why each step is important to the client's success. Important topics such as litigation principles, lawyer and client relationship and ethics, gathering evidence, depositions, preparation for a civil trial, structure of a civil trial, judgments, appeals, and more are discussed in detail. A case study feature appears throughout the book and provides valuable opportunities for students to learn the practical, real-life application of the concepts presented. The book also provides samples of the documents a litigation paralegal will most often be required to prepare. From the complaint and answer, to responses, to written discovery, to simple motions, this resource provides samples that a paralegal can readily adapt to real situations. Other special features of the text include chapter summaries that provide a quick overview of each topic, but with sufficient detail to really help the reader to understand the "big picture"of each chapter; and highlighted key terminology unique to litigation. A complete resource for the paralegal student, this book will also serve as a reference legal assistants can keep in their library for years to come.