The Independent Paralegal's Handbook,9780873374972

The Independent Paralegal's Handbook

by
Edition: 5th
ISBN13: 9780873374972
ISBN10: 0873374975
Format: Paperback
Pub. Date: 1999-12-01
Publisher(s): NOLO PRESS
List Price: $31.45

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Summary

Fueled by growing dissatisfaction with our overpriced legal system, a quiet revolution has been taking place. For over 25 years, more and more people have prepared their own legal papers with the help of independent paralegals, instead of handing their cases over to lawyers. The Independent Paralegal's Handbook is a practical guide for anyone considering a career as a self-employed legal document assistant who wants to help people take the law into their own hands. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Historical Background
An American Tradition: ``Every Man His Own Lawyer''
3(7)
The Lawyers Take Over
10(5)
The Modern Movement Away From Lawyers
15
The Law
Introduction to the Concept of Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)
2(3)
Criminal Penalties for Unauthorized Practice
5(4)
Judicial Penalties for Unauthorized Practice---the Inherent Powers Doctrine
9(6)
Enforcement of Unauthorized Practice Rules
15(6)
A Review of Unauthorized Practice Litigation of the Past 25 Years
21(5)
The Constitution and the Independent Paralegal
26
How to Do Your Job and Stay Out of Trouble
Tell the World You Are Not a Lawyer
2(8)
Provide Your Customers Access to the Basic Legal Information Necessary to Make Their Own Decisions
10(8)
Limit Yourself to Legal Form Preparation: Don't Give Legal Advice
18(3)
Create a Good Questionnaire
21
Legal Areas Open to Independent Paralegals
Avoid Contested Cases
2(4)
Type Legal Forms in High Demand
6(1)
Legal Areas Open to Independent Paralegals
7
Naming Your Business
Avoid Buzz Words That May Antagonize Organized Lawyerdom
3(1)
Choosing a Name That Emphasizes Self-Help Law
3(1)
Using Descriptive Names
4(1)
Combining a Unique and Descriptive Name
5(1)
Using Your Own Name
5(1)
Using ``Paralegal'' as Part of Your Name
6(1)
Legal Protection Against Copiers
7(6)
Summing Up: Names You Shouldn't Use
13
Establishing an Office
Should You Open a Home-Based Independent Paralegal Business?
2(6)
Running an IP Business in a Commercial Space
8(2)
Negotiating a Good Lease or Rental Agreement
10(1)
Running a Small Business on the Internet
11(2)
Good Information on Small Business Operations
13
How to Establish a Good Relationship With Lawyers, Mediators and Judges
Working With Lawyers
2(2)
How to Find Supportive Lawyers
4(5)
Make a Lawyer Your ``Partner''
9(1)
Working With Mediators
10(2)
Working With the Courts
12
How to Run a Quality Business
Planning
2(1)
Market Research
3(1)
Training
4(4)
Good Office Management
8
How Much to Charge
Establish How Much Money You and Your Business Need
2(2)
Find Out What Competitors Charge
4(1)
Estimate How Long It Will Take to Prepare the Forms
4(1)
Draw Up a Price List
5(3)
Fees for Preparing Bankruptcy Petitions
8(2)
Get Cash Up Front
10(1)
Establish a Money-Back Guarantee
11
Marketing Your Services
Marketing Methods and Objectives
2(1)
Conventional Advertising Is Usually Not Cost-Effective
3(2)
Understanding Advertising
5(4)
Getting Recommendations and Referrals
9(7)
Open Your Own Self-Help Law Store
16(1)
Build a Website
16(1)
Keep a Good Mailing List
17(1)
List the Availability of Your Services
18(2)
Prepare Factual Information About the Areas You Specialize In
20(3)
Longer-Term Marketing Strategies
23(1)
Where to Get Marketing Training
24(1)
Summing Up
25
Computers, the Internet and the Independent Paralegal
Cost Is Not a Significant Barrier
2(1)
Do I Buy a PC or a Mac?
2(1)
Choosing Software
3(1)
Create Text Files
4(1)
Committing UPL by Computer
5(1)
Living in the Internet Age
6(1)
Will the Internet Make the IP Business Obsolete?
7
Customer Recourse
The Importance of Satisfying Unhappy Customers
2(2)
The ``No Ifs, Ands or Buts'' Recourse Policy
4(2)
How to Deal With Predictable Customer Complaints
6(1)
What to Do If You Make a Serious Mistake
7(1)
Malpractice and Business Liability Insurance
8
Working for Volunteer, Community or Social Change Organizations
Appearing in Court
4(1)
Defending Yourself From Lawyer Attacks
5(2)
Paying the Bills
7
Political Organizing for Change
Independent Paralegals in California and Florida
3(5)
Paralegal Political Organizing
8
Appendix Interviews
Lois Isenberg Interview
A/3
Jon and Melvin Lebewitz Interview
A/9
Jolene Jacobs Interview
A/12
Ian Gardner Interview
A/28
Robert Mission Interview
A/31
Virginia Simons Interview
A/38
Glynda Dixon Interview
A/46
Rosemary Furman Interview
A/55
Robin Smith Interview
A/62
Rose Palmer Interview
A/70
Catherine Elias Jermany Interview
A/76
Index

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