Legal Office Procedures

by Morton, Joyce, Ed.D.

• ISBN13: 9780132209564
• ISBN10: 013220956X
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-05-02
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This popular book, the only legal office procedure book to receive a 5-star rating on Amazon.com, introduces readers to the career of a legal office assistant. It presents basic legal concepts and the various fields of the law and outlines the preparation of documents commonly used in these fields. It provides the information needed to select documents appropriate for a particular situation, identify the information necessary to complete the documents, and prepare the documents correctly.Comprehensive coverage begins with an overview of the law office; then describes office duties; computers and office systems; legal correspondence; the history of law; the court structure; litigation procedures, including the preparation of legal documents, preparations for trial, and litigation and discovery procedures; family law; wills, trust, and probate; business organizations; real estate; criminal law; legal research; and careers in the law.For legal secretaries, legal assistants, paralegals, and law office managers and staff.

Author Biography

Joyce Morton is a dedicated teacher, leader, and author in the field of education.  She has taught for many years at Fullerton College and served as Assistant Dean of Students and was the Department Coordinator for the Office Technology Area.  She is presently teaching a computer classes at Saddleback College and has developed the Office Skills Program which features self-paced Distance Education computer applications classes.  This program enrolls over 400 students each year.

 

            She has presently revised the 7^th edition of the book she has authored entitled Legal Office Procedures, published by Pearson Prentice Hall.  Legal Office Procedures has been widely adopted throughout the United States and has received a 5-star rating from reviewers on Amazon.com.  This book is used in colleges and legal professional training courses throughout the United States, and seven foreign English-speaking countries.

 

            She is the recipient of the following honors and awards:

 

Listed in Outstanding Educators in America

Recipient of the USC Education Alumni Award

Recipient of the Fullerton College Emeritus Teacher’s Award

Cited for teaching excellence by the Fullerton College Staff of Distinction Award

Attended USC on the Trojan Junior Auxiliary Scholarship

 

            She was the recipient of the Staff of Distinction Award at Fullerton College and was cited for teaching excellence, campus leadership, and contribution to one’s field.  She has also received the Fullerton College Emeritus Teacher’s Award.

 

            She has served a president of many professional organizations and presented workshops and given speeches at community and educational organizations.  She has consulted and provided computer training for various businesses and industries.  She is involved in various volunteer organizations and  recently served as Vice President of Trojan League of Orange County.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
The Law Office	p. 1
The Law Office	p. 2
Technology in the Law Office	p. 3
Human Relations in the Law Office	p. 3
Confidential Relationships	p. 4
The Attorney	p. 5
The Law Clerk	p. 7
The Legal Administrator	p. 8
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant	p. 9
The Legal Administrative Assistant, Lawyer's Assistant, and Legal Professional	p. 10
Personal Qualifications	p. 12
Code of Ethics for Attorneys, Legal Assistants, and Legal Professionals	p. 15
Summary	p. 17
Vocabulary	p. 18
Student Assignments	p. 19
Office Duties	p. 20
Workplace Telecommunications	p. 20
Telephone Skills	p. 21
E-Mail (Electronic Mail)	p. 25
Faxes	p. 27
Calendaring	p. 28
Billing Procedures	p. 30
Photocopying	p. 33
Micrographics	p. 35
Filing Systems	p. 36
Notarizing Legal Correspondence and Forms	p. 38
Mail Procedures	p. 40
Zip Codes	p. 40
USPS (United States Postal Service) Mail Classes and Services	p. 41
Travel Arrangements	p. 45
Summary	p. 47
Vocabulary	p. 48
Student Assessments	p. 49
Student Assignments	p. 49
Computers and Office Systems	p. 51
The Use of Computers in the Law Office	p. 51
Definition of a Computer	p. 52
Types of Computers	p. 52
Components of a Computer	p. 54
Computer Software	p. 61
Communication Networks	p. 64
Digital Cameras	p. 66
Summary	p. 66
Vocabulary	p. 68
Student Assessments	p. 69
Student Assignments	p. 71
Preparing Legal Correspondence	p. 72
Preparing Legal Correspondence	p. 72
Legal Correspondence Styles	p. 73
Dictation and Transcription	p. 80
Summary	p. 82
Vocabulary	p. 82
Student Assessments	p. 83
Student Assignment	p. 84
Court Structure	p. 87
The Court Structure	p. 88
Jurisdiction	p. 88
Venue	p. 88
Officers of the Court	p. 89
The Jury	p. 89
Federal Courts	p. 89
State Courts	p. 91
Authority of the Court	p. 94
Statute of Limitations	p. 96
Filing Procedures	p. 97
Court Forms	p. 97
Filing Fees	p. 98
Summary	p. 99
Vocabulary	p. 99
Student Assessments	p. 100
Student Assignments	p. 101
Litigation Procedures	p. 103
Preparing Legal Documents	p. 104
General Preparation	p. 104
Guidelines for Preparing Legal Documents	p. 105
Signature Variations	p. 105
Legal Cap Documents	p. 107
Summary	p. 116
Vocabulary	p. 116
Student Assessments	p. 117
Student Assignments	p. 117
The Lawsuit: Preparations for Trial	p. 122
General Litigation Information	p. 122
Lawyer-Client Relations	p. 123
Definition of a Lawsuit	p. 125
Commencing a Legal Action	p. 127
Defendant's Pleadings	p. 134
Summary	p. 140
Vocabulary	p. 141
Student Assessments	p. 142
Student Assignments	p. 144
The Lawsuit: Litigation and Discovery Procedures	p. 149
The Default	p. 149
Discontinuance and Dismissal	p. 150
Discovery Proceedings	p. 150
Discovery Devices	p. 151
Notifying Witnesses And Adverse Parties	p. 155
Pretrial Procedures	p. 158
Pretrial Conference	p. 158
Setting the Trial Date	p. 158
Writ of Execution	p. 161
Concluding Procedures	p. 163
Summary	p. 164
Vocabulary	p. 164
Student Assessments	p. 165
Student Assignments	p. 167
Substantive Law	p. 175
Family Law	p. 176
Marriage	p. 176
Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage	p. 178
Community Property	p. 190
Quasi-Community Property	p. 191
Domestic Partnerships	p. 191
Adoption	p. 194
Adoption Proceedings	p. 195
Guardianship and Conservatorship	p. 196
Summary	p. 205
Vocabulary	p. 205
Student Assessments	p. 207
Student Assignments	p. 209
Wills, Trusts, and Probate	p. 210
Estate Planning	p. 210
Wills	p. 210
Formalities in Making a Will	p. 212
Who Can Make a Will	p. 213
Types of Wills	p. 213
Trusts	p. 218
Probate	p. 220
Procedural Steps for the Administration of Probate	p. 222
Administration of the Estate	p. 227
Summary	p. 233
Vocabulary	p. 235
Student Assessments	p. 236
Student Assignments	p. 239
Business Organizations	p. 244
Forms of Business Ownership	p. 244
The Corporate Organization	p. 250
Advantages of a Corporation	p. 252
Disadvantages of a Corporation	p. 253
Laws Governing Corporations	p. 253
Types of Corporations	p. 254
Formation of a Corporation	p. 254
Corporation Stock	p. 260
Corporate Dissolutions	p. 263
Limited Liability Company	p. 263
Limited Liability Partnership	p. 264
Summary	p. 264
Vocabulary	p. 265
Student Assessments	p. 266
Student Assignments	p. 268
Real Estate	p. 273
Classification of Property	p. 273
Property Description	p. 275
Ownership of Property	p. 276
Real Estate Transactions	p. 278
Deeds	p. 279
Mortgages and Deeds of Trust	p. 281
Recording of Documents	p. 285
Leases	p. 286
Eviction of a Tenant	p. 287
Summary	p. 294
Vocabulary	p. 296
Student Assessments	p. 297
Student Assignments	p. 299
Criminal Law	p. 304
What is Criminal Law?	p. 304
Criminal Procedures	p. 306
Criminal Acts	p. 309
Proof of Crimes	p. 313
Arrests	p. 313
Defenses to Crimes	p. 314
Summary	p. 314
Vocabulary	p. 315
Student Assessments	p. 316
Student Assignments	p. 318
Legal Research	p. 325
Legal Research	p. 326
U.S. Legal System	p. 326
The Law Library	p. 327
Classification of Legal Research	p. 329
Legal Citations	p. 334
Computerized Research and the Internet	p. 335
Summary	p. 340
Vocabulary	p. 340
Student Assessments	p. 341
Student Assignment	p. 342
Getting a Job	p. 343
Getting a Job	p. 344
Sources of Employment	p. 344
Applying for a Job	p. 347
The Cover Letter	p. 354
Preparing for the Interview	p. 356
Starting Your First Job	p. 360
Growing Professionally	p. 361
Success on Your First Job	p. 362
Student Assignments	p. 363
Appendices
Forms of Address	p. 369
Sample Captions of Court Documents	p. 371
Index	p. 377
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