Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A Critical Thinking Approach

Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A Critical Thinking Approach, Eighth Edition, consistently connects the study of law to the real-world work and duties of today's paralegal. Coverage of concepts and practice are framed within the authors’ trademark approach, which uses examples, discussion questions, and hypotheticals to develop the essential skills of critical analysis and legal reasoning. New to the Eighth Edition:Coverage of the expansion of non-lawyers’ ability to provide some legal services directly to the public A fresh look at the role of stare decisis, and the place of precedent in our legal system The importance of the shadow docket in the U.S. Supreme Court and of significantly expanded use of Presidential executive orders The prevalence of online legal research and the emergence of artificial intelligence in legal research and law office management Professors and students will benefit from: Complete course coverage logically organized into four parts: 1) Paralegals and the American Legal System; 2) Substance of the Law; 3) Legal Analysis and Research; 4) Paralegals and the Work World Hypothetical Cases on topics relatable to students and based on real cases Discussion Questions and Legal Reasoning Exercises that challenge students to synthesize and analyze what they have read Paralegal Profiles that provide context and real-world perspective Practice Tips that inform and advise, connecting theory to practice Ethics Alerts that highlight the potential conflicts and responsibilities of the paralegal in a variety of contexts Definitions of key terms in the margins Review Questions that reinforce students’ memory and understanding of contentNetNotes that provide links to online sources The U.S. Constitution and a brief guide to the Fundamentals of Good Writing in the AppendixStrong ancillary materials that support teaching and formative assessment