Introduction to Paralegalism: Perspectives, Problems and Skills

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. William Statsky has been a member of the ethics committee and the advisory council for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and a member of the Certifying Board of the National Association of Legal Assistants. He has taught at Columbia Law School, UCLA School of Law, Antioch School of Law and Thomas Edison State College and is the author of numerous groundbreaking legal textbooks for paralegals. He was a member of the transition team for then-President-Elect Ronald Reagan. Mr. Statsky holds a master of law degree (LL.M.) in urban affairs as well as a juris doctorate degree (J.D.).

1. Introduction to a New Career in Law.
2. Paralegal Employment.
3. On-the-Job Realities: Assertiveness Training for Paralegals.
4. The Regulation of Paralegals.
5. Introduction to Law Office Administration.
6. Attorney Ethics and Paralegal Ethics.
7. Introduction to the Legal System.
8. Introduction to Legal Analysis.
9. Legal Research.
10. Legal Writing.
11. An Introduction to the Use of Computers in a Law Office.
12. Legal Interviewing.
13. Investigation in a Law Office.
14. Litigation Support: The Role of the Paralegal.
15. Informal and Administrative Advocacy.
Appendices.
Glossary.