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.

Benefits:

• NEW! Provides in-depth coverage of litigation practice for paralegals
• NEW! Completely revised to include less legalese and more plain language
• Students learn how to assist attorneys at each phase as well as why each step is important to the client's success
• Case study feature provides valuable opportunities for students to see the real-life application of the concepts presented in the text
• Detailed examples throughout the text provide better understanding of concepts
• Provides samples of those documents the paralegal will most often be required to prepare

Chapter 1: Litigation Principles
Chapter 2: Lawyer and Client Relationship and Ethics
Chapter 3: Court Organization
Chapter 4: Causes of Action and Remedies
Chapter 5: Affirmative Defenses
Chapter 6: Introduction to Federal Procedure
Chapter 7: Gathering Evidence
Chapter 8: Evidence
Chapter 9: Conducting an Investigation
Chapter 10: Expert Witnesses
Chapter 11: Interrogatories
Chapter 12: Oral Depositions
Chapter 13: Preparing Client for Deposition
Chapter 14: Medical Examinations and Records
Chapter 15: Inspection of Property, Documents, and Things
Chapter 16: Requests for Admissions
Chapter 17: Motions
Chapter 18: Preparation for Trial
Chapter 19: Structure of a Civil Trial
Chapter 20: Judgments
Chapter 21: Appeals
Chapter 22: Settlements, Releases, and Dismissals
Chapter 23: Arbitration and Mediation
Glossary
Appendix A: Time Table for Lawyers in Federal Civil Cases
Appendix B: Deposition Transcript
Appendix C: Intraoffice Memorandums