Independent Paralegal's Handbook,9780873379427

Independent Paralegal's Handbook

by ; ;
Edition: 6th
ISBN13: 9780873379427
ISBN10: 087337942X
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 2004-02-01
Publisher(s): Nolo
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Summary

It has become increasingly popular to turn to independent paralegals for help with routine legal paperwork, creating a healthy demand for their skills and know-how. The definitive guide on the subject for more than 10 years, this handbook provides crucial legal and business advice for all those considering a career in this growing field. It also features interviews with prominent independent paralegals.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1 The Historical Background
A. An American Tradition: "Every Man His Own Lawyer"
1/3(1)
B. The Lawyers Take Over
1/10(1)
C. The Modern Movement Away From Lawyers
1/15(1)
2 The Law
A. Introduction to the Concept of Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)
2/3(1)
B. Criminal Penalties for Unauthorized Practice
2/6(1)
C. Civil Enforcement of Criminal UPS Statutes
2/10(1)
D. Judicial Penalties for Unauthorized Practice-the Inherent Powers Doctrine
2/11(1)
E. Enforcement of Unauthorized Practice Rules
2/17(1)
F. A Review of Unauthorized Practice Litigation of the Past 30 Years
2/23(1)
G. The Constitution and the Independent Paralegal
2/29(1)
3 How to Do Your Job and Stay Out of Trouble
A. Tell the World You Are Not a Lawyer
3/2(1)
B. Provide Your Customers Access to the Basic Legal Information Necessary to Make Their Own Decisions
3/10(1)
C. Limit Yourself to Legal Form Preparation: Don't Give Legal Advice
3/18(1)
D. Create a Good Questionnaire
3/22(1)
4 Legal Areas Open to Independent Paralegals
A. Avoid Contested Cases
4/2(1)
B. Type Legal Forms in High Demand
4/6(1)
C. Legal Areas Open to Independent Paralegals
4/8(1)
5 Naming Your Business
A. Avoid Buzz Words That May Antagonize Organized Lawyerdom
5/3(1)
B. Choosing a Name That Emphasizes Self-Help Law
5/3(1)
C. Using Descriptive Names
5/4(1)
D. Combining a Unique and Descriptive Name
5/5(1)
E. Using Your Own Name
5/5(1)
F. Using "Paralegal" As Part of Your Name
5/6(1)
G. Legal Protection Against Copiers
5/8(1)
H. Summing Up: Names You Shouldn't Use
5/14(1)
6 Establishing an Office
A. Should You Open a Home-Based Independent Paralegal Business?
6/2(1)
B. Running an IP Business in a Commercial Space
6/8(1)
C. Negotiating a Good Lease or Rental Agreement
6/10(1)
D. Running a Small Business on the Internet
6/11(1)
E. Good Information on Small Business Operations
6/13(1)
7 How to Establish a Good Relationship With Lawyers, Mediators, and Judges
A. Working With Lawyers
7/2(1)
B. How to Find Supportive Lawyers
7/4(1)
C. Make a Lawyer Your "Partner"
7/9(1)
D. Working With Mediators
7/11(1)
E. Working With the Courts
7/12(1)
8 How to Run a Quality Business
A. Planning
8/2(1)
B. Market Research
8/3(1)
C. Training
8/4(1)
D. Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law
8/7(1)
E. Good Office Management
8/8(1)
9 How Much to Charge
A. Establish How Much Money You and Your Business Need
9/2(1)
B. Find Out What Competitors Charge
9/4(1)
C. Estimate How Long It Will Take to Prepare the Forms
9/4(1)
D. Draw Up a Price List
9/5(1)
E. Fees for Preparing Bankruptcy Petitions
9/8(1)
F. Get Cash Up Front
9/10(1)
G. Establish a Money-Back Guarantee
9/11(1)
10 Marketing Your Services
A. Marketing Methods and Objectives
10/4(1)
B. Conventional Advertising Is Usually Not Cost-Effective
10/5(1)
C. Understanding Advertising
10/7(1)
D. Getting Recommendations and Referrals
10/11(1)
E. Open Your Own Self-Help Law Store
10/19(1)
F. Build a Website
10/20(1)
G. Keep a Good Mailing List
10/20(1)
H. List the Availability of Your Services
10/21(1)
I. Prepare Factual Information About the Areas You Specialize In
10/23(1)
J. Longer-Term Marketing Strategies
10/26(1)
K. More Tools You Can Use: 50 Ways to Leave Your Competition Behind
10/27(1)
L. Where to Get Marketing Training
10/37(1)
M. Summing Up
10/37(1)
11 Computers, the Internet, and the Independent Paralegal
A. Cost Is Not a Significant Barrier
11/2(1)
B. Do I Buy a PC or a Mac?
11/2(1)
C. Choosing Software
11/3(1)
D. Create Text Files
11/4(1)
E. Committing UPL by Computer
11/5(1)
F. Living in the Internet Age
11/6(1)
G. Will the Internet Make the IP Business Obsolete?
11/7(1)
12 Customer Recourse
A. The Importance of Satisfying Unhappy Customers
12/2(1)
B. The "No Ifs, Ands, or Buts" Recourse Policy
12/4(1)
C. How to Deal With Predictable Customer Complaints
12/6(1)
D. What to Do If You Make a Serious Mistake
12/7(1)
E. Malpractice and Business Liability Insurance
12/8(1)
13 Working for Volunteer, Community, or Social Change Organizations
A. Appearing in Court
13/4(1)
B. Defending Yourself From Lawyer Attacks
13/5(1)
C. Paying the Bills
13/7(1)
14 Political Organizing for Change
A. Independent Paralegals in Arizona, California, and Florida
14/4(1)
B. Paralegal Political Organizing
14/15(3134802)
Appendix A Arizona Code of Conduct for LOPS
Lake County Self-Help Law Center, Inc., Marketing Strategy
A/2
Arizona Code of Conduct for Legal Document Preparers
A/5
Appendix B Interviews
Lois Isenberg Interview
B/3
Jon and Melvin Lebewitz Interview
B/9
Jolene Jacobs Interview
B/12
Ian Gardner Interview
B/28
Robert Mission Interview
B/31
Virginia Simons Interview
B/38
Glynda Dixon Interview
B/46
Rosemary Furman Interview
B/55
Robin Smith Interview
B/62
Rose Palmer Interview
B/70
Catherine Elias Jermany Interview
B/76
Index

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