The Independent Paralegal's Handbook

by Warner, Ralph E.

• ISBN13: 9780873373432
• ISBN10: 087337343X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-12-01
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

Every day more and more people are turning to independent paralegals for help with routine legal paperwork. This long-proven definitive reference provides crucial legal and business advice for all those considering a career in this growing field.

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