Introduction to Law for Paralegals : A Critical Thinking Approach

by Currier, Katherine A.

• ISBN13: 9780735539891
• ISBN10: 0735539898
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: Aspen Pub

Summary

Instructors have learned through successful classroom use that Introduction to Law for Paralegals is a teachable, readable, and comprehensive introduction from an experienced author team. In its Third Edition, this text incorporates new developments as it continues to offer an exceptionally thoughtful and well-rounded presentation. the authors balance depth of coverage with ease of use: A comprehensive, intelligent overview of all the key concepts covered in a typical introduction to law course Uses the critical thinking approach to introduce students To The study of law and encourage interaction with the materials through hypotheticals, examples, and well-designed questions the three parts of the book reflect the topics of the introductory course Part I, Paralegals And The American Legal System introduces students to the role of the paralegal, sources and classifications of law, The structure of the court system, and an overview of litigation Part II, Finding and Analyzing the Law, reviews the basics of legal analysis, research, and writing Part III, Legal Ethics and Substantive Law, covers the full range of statutory law Teaches students the basic skills necessary to understand statutes and court cases Supports learning with ethics alerts, marginal definitions, Internet references, and legal reasoning exercises throughout the book Presents material in an accessible and well-organized format Substantive law chapters use edited cases to teach students how to read and analyze the law Helpful appendices contain material on good writing, citation, excerpts from the U.S. Constitution, Ethical Codes, and additional Net Notes the text is scrupulously revised for its Third Edition: Updated chapters on Ethics and on Legal Research Updated internet references throughout the book New material and cases in substantive law chapters, including: more on recklessness as a requirement for sport participant injuries in the Torts chapter inclusion of eminent domain cases currently before the Supreme Court in the Property/Real Estate Law chapter expanded section on the Americans with Disabilities Act in Laws Affecting Business chapter, including PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin developments in same-sex marriage in the chapter on Family Law revised material on sentencing guidelines in the Criminal Law and Procedure chapter Please visit the new companion website to learn more about this book. Website: http://www.aspenlawschool.com/currier_introtolawforparalegals3

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	xxxiii
Preface	xxxvii
Acknowledgments	xli
PART 1 Paralegals and the American Legal System	1	(144)
Introduction to the Study of Law	3	(10)
Introduction	3	(1)
Legal Analysis	4	(4)
Case 1: The Distressed Grandfather	4	(1)
Case 2: The Harassed Student	5	(1)
Analyzing the Facts	5	(1)
Identifying the Appropriate Legal Rules	6	(1)
Practice Tip	6	(1)
Applying the Legal Rules to the Facts	6	(1)
Discussion Questions 1-2	7	(1)
Reporting the Results	8	(1)
Taking Actions on Behalf of the Client	8	(5)
Practice Tip	9	(1)
Ethics Alert	9	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 1-4	10	(1)
Summary	11	(1)
Review Questions 1-8	12	(1)
Paralegals in the Legal System	13	(26)
Introduction	13	(1)
The Definition of Paralegal	14	(5)
Traditional Paralegals and Legal Assistants	14	(3)
Discussion Questions 1-3	17	(1)
Freelance Paralegals	17	(1)
Paralegal Profile	17	(1)
Legal Technicians, Lay Advocates, and Document Preparers	18	(1)
Independent Paralegals	19	(1)
Law Clerks and Document Clerks Working under the Supervision of an Attorney	19	(1)
Discussion Questions 4-7	19	(1)
Paralegal Education	19	(3)
Basic Qualifications	20	(1)
Formal Paralegal Education	21	(1)
The ABA Approval Process	21	(1)
American Association for Paralegal Education	21	(1)
Paralegal Professional Associations	22	(1)
Practice Tip	22	(1)
Registration, Certification, and Licensure	23	(5)
Registration	23	(1)
Certification	23	(2)
Ethics Alert	25	(1)
Licensing: Paralegals Who Work under the Supervision of an Attorney	26	(1)
Licensing: Legal Technicians and Paralegals Who Do Not Work under the Supervision of an Attorney	26	(1)
Indirect Regulation through Approval of Billing for Paralegal Time	27	(1)
Conclusion	28	(1)
Discussion Questions 8-9	28	(1)
What Paralegals Do	28	(2)
Communications with Clients	29	(1)
Ethics Alert	29	(1)
Research	29	(1)
Practice Tip	30	(1)
Drafting	30	(1)
Case Management	30	(1)
Where Paralegals Work and Law Office Personnel	30	(9)
The Law Office Environment	31	(1)
Types of Private Practice Arrangements	31	(1)
Traditional Partnership	31	(1)
Professional Corporation (PC)	32	(1)
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)	32	(1)
Sole Proprietorship	32	(1)
Office-Sharing Arrangements	33	(1)
Law Office Personnel	33	(1)
Law Clerks, Investigators, and Librarians	33	(1)
Clerical Support	33	(1)
Managers and Administrators	34	(1)
Office Procedures Manual	34	(1)
Areas of Specialization	34	(1)
Other Forms of Practice	35	(1)
Legal Department of a Business	35	(1)
Legal Department in Government Agencies	35	(1)
Paralegal Profile	36	(1)
Other Variations	36	(1)
Discussion Questions 10-11	37	(1)
Summary	37	(1)
Review Questions 1-15	37	(2)
Functions and Sources of Law	39	(16)
Introduction	39	(1)
Case 3: The Pregnant Waitress	39	(1)
Functions and Theories of Law	40	(4)
Definition of Law	40	(1)
Functions of Law	40	(1)
Theories of Jurisprudence	41	(2)
Discussion Questions 1-6	43	(1)
Sources of Law	44	(11)
Constitutional Law	44	(2)
Practice Tip	46	(1)
Statutory Law	46	(1)
Administrative Law	47	(1)
Practice Tip	48	(1)
Judicial Interpretation and the Common Law	49	(2)
Discussion Questions 7-9	51	(1)
Summary	52	(1)
Review Questions 1-12	53	(2)
Classification of the Law	55	(20)
Introduction	55	(2)
Federal versus State Law	57	(5)
Federal Law	57	(4)
State Law	61	(1)
Discussion Questions 1-4	62	(1)
Criminal versus Civil Law	62	(11)
A Comparison of Criminal and Civil Law	62	(1)
Type of Harm	63	(1)
Names of the Parties and the ``Prosecutor'' of the Claim	63	(1)
Standard of Proof	64	(1)
Judgment	64	(1)
Sanctions/Remedies	64	(1)
Practice Tip	65	(1)
Sources of Law	65	(1)
Criminal Law	65	(1)
Types of Crimes	66	(1)
Establishing a Prima Facie Case	66	(1)
Discussion Questions 5-6	67	(1)
Defenses	67	(1)
Civil Law	67	(1)
Establishing a Prima Facie Case	68	(1)
Defenses	68	(1)
Damages	69	(1)
Areas of Civil Law	69	(1)
Contracts	69	(1)
Property	69	(1)
Torts	70	(1)
Ethics Alert	70	(1)
Case 4: Mr. Whipple	71	(1)
Discussion Questions 7-8	72	(1)
Substantive versus Procedural Law	73	(2)
Discussion Question 9	73	(1)
Summary	73	(1)
Review Questions 1-24	74	(1)
Structure of the Court System	75	(20)
Introduction	75	(1)
Trial versus Appellate Courts	75	(5)
Case 5: Alibi to a Murder	77	(2)
Discussion Questions 1-3	79	(1)
Federal and State Court Systems	80	(11)
The Federal System	80	(3)
The Primary Federal Courts	83	(2)
Discussion Questions 4-5	85	(1)
Other Federal Courts	85	(2)
State Court Systems	87	(1)
Practice Tip	87	(2)
Exclusive and Concurrent Jurisdiction	89	(1)
Discussion Question 6	90	(1)
Court Personnel	91	(4)
Practice Tip	91	(1)
Summary	92	(1)
Review Questions 1-16	92	(3)
Civil Litigation and Its Alternatives	95	(50)
Introduction	95	(1)
Practice Tip	96	(1)
Civil Procedure	96	(32)
The Pretrial Stage	96	(1)
Preliminary Matters	96	(2)
Legal Grounds for the Suit	98	(1)
Practice Tip	98	(1)
Ethics Alert	99	(1)
Discussion Questions 1-2	99	(1)
Parties to the Suit	100	(1)
Selection of the Court	101	(2)
Statutes of Limitations	103	(1)
Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies	103	(1)
Practice Tip	103	(1)
Discussion Questions 3-4	103	(1)
Pleadings	104	(1)
The Complaint	104	(1)
Practice Tip	105	(1)
Discussion Question 5	106	(1)
Ethics Alert	106	(2)
The Summons	108	(1)
The Answer	108	(1)
Practice Tip	108	(3)
Pretrial Motions	111	(3)
Discovery	114	(1)
Interrogatories	114	(1)
Practice Tip	114	(1)
Depositions	115	(1)
Practice Tip	116	(1)
Requests for Admissions	116	(1)
Requests for Documents and Physical Examinations	116	(1)
Enforcing Discovery Rights	116	(1)
Discussion Questions 6-8	117	(1)
Settlement or Pretrial Conference	117	(1)
The Trial	117	(1)
Practice Tip	117	(1)
The Right to a Jury Trial	117	(1)
Ethics Alert	118	(1)
Jury Selection	118	(1)
Practice Tip	118	(2)
Discussion Questions 9-10	120	(1)
Opening Statements	120	(1)
Presentation of Evidence	120	(1)
Practice Tip	120	(2)
Discussion Questions 11-12	122	(1)
Closing Arguments	122	(1)
Jury Instructions	122	(1)
Jury Deliberations, Verdict, and Judgment	123	(1)
Post-Trial Motions	123	(1)
The Appeal	124	(1)
The Timing of the Appeal	124	(1)
The Scope of the Review	124	(2)
Filing the Appeal	126	(1)
Oral Arguments	126	(1)
The Decision and Its Publication	126	(1)
Further Appeals	127	(1)
Administrative Procedure	128	(7)
Prehearing Procedures	129	(1)
Commencing the Action	130	(1)
Notice of Alleged Violations	130	(1)
Investigation	130	(1)
Initial Determination	131	(1)
Notice of Hearing	131	(1)
Hearings	132	(1)
The Participants	132	(1)
Hearing Procedures	133	(1)
The Form of the Decision	134	(1)
Appeals	134	(1)
Alternative Dispute Resolution	135	(10)
Arbitration	136	(1)
Practice Tip	136	(1)
Mediation	136	(1)
Cases Most Suitable for Mediation	137	(1)
Mediation Formats and Styles	137	(2)
Mandatory Mediation Programs	139	(1)
Ethics Alert	140	(1)
Mediation Training	140	(1)
Summary Jury Trials	140	(1)
Role of Paralegals in ADR	140	(1)
Evaluation of ADR Techniques	141	(1)
Discussion Questions 13-15	141	(1)
Summary	142	(1)
Review Questions 1-37	142	(3)
PART 2 Finding and Analyzing the Law	145	(176)
Finding and Interpreting Statutory Law	147	(34)
Introduction	147	(1)
Locating the Appropriate Statute	148	(2)
Practice Tip	149	(1)
The Format of Statutes	150	(2)
Ambiguity in Statutes	152	(1)
The Four Basic Steps to Statutory Interpretation	153	(13)
Case 6: The Clearance Sale	153	(1)
Get the Facts	154	(1)
Locate a Relevant Statute	154	(1)
Analyze the Statute	154	(1)
Divide the Statute into Its Elements	155	(1)
Determine the Issues and Develop Arguments for Each Side	155	(1)
Think Creatively	156	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	157	(1)
Understand the Methods Used for Interpreting Statutes	157	(3)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 2-4	160	(3)
Practice Tip	163	(2)
Recognize the Role of Judicial Philosophy	165	(1)
Conclude	165	(1)
The Case of the Unhappy Customer	166	(3)
Case 7: The Unhappy Customer	166	(2)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 5-6	168	(1)
Written Analysis---The Use of IRAC	169	(6)
Case 8: The Book Battery	170	(1)
Issue	170	(1)
Rule	171	(1)
Analysis	171	(1)
Conclusion	172	(3)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 7-8	175	(1)
Locating and Interpreting Administrative Regulations	175	(1)
Locating and Interpreting Constitutions	176	(5)
Summary	178	(1)
Review Questions 1-15	178	(3)
Finding and Interpreting Court Opinions	181	(56)
Introduction	181	(1)
Types of Court Opinions	182	(4)
Locating Court Opinions	186	(3)
The Elements of a Court Opinion	189	(3)
Preliminary Material and West Editorial Features	189	(1)
Facts of the Case	189	(2)
Law Analyzed	191	(1)
Issues Raised	191	(1)
Decisions Reached	191	(1)
The Reasoning	192	(1)
Concurring and Dissenting Opinions	192	(1)
Case Briefing	192	(40)
An Overview of Case Briefing	192	(1)
Format for a Case Brief	193	(1)
Jim Jones v. Sam Smith	193	(1)
Case Citation	193	(1)
Facts	194	(1)
Rule	195	(1)
Issue	195	(1)
Holding	196	(2)
Reasoning	198	(1)
Criticism	198	(1)
Practice Tip	198	(1)
Six Hints for Better Brief Writing	199	(1)
Read the Case First, Then Brief	199	(1)
Practice Tip	199	(1)
Develop a Workable Style	199	(2)
Write Based on the Needs of Your Reader	201	(1)
Cross-reference	201	(1)
Paraphrase	201	(1)
Use a Dictionary	201	(1)
A Sample Case Brief	201	(1)
People v. Blair	202	(1)
Briefing Cases Involving Statutes	202	(1)
Interpreting a Statute	203	(1)
McBoyle v. United States	204	(4)
Discussion Questions 1-3	208	(1)
Ruling on a Statute's Constitutionality	208	(1)
Texas v. Johnson	209	(4)
Discussion Questions 4-6	213	(1)
Briefing Cases Involving the Common Law	213	(1)
Applying Established Law	213	(2)
Keller v. DeLong	215	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	216	(1)
Creating New Law	217	(1)
Callow v. Thomas	218	(5)
Discussion Questions 7-9	223	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	223	(1)
Lewis v. Lewis	224	(8)
Discussion Questions 10-12	232	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 3	232	(1)
The Power of the Courts to Make New Law	232	(5)
Summary	233	(1)
Review Questions 1-16	234	(3)
Finding the Law	237	(58)
Introduction	237	(1)
Overview of the Researching Process	238	(1)
The Five Steps of Legal Research	239	(41)
Identify Your Search Terms	239	(1)
Practice Tip	239	(1)
Practice Tip	240	(1)
Go to Secondary Authority (Optional)	240	(1)
National Legal Encyclopedias	240	(3)
State-Specific Encyclopedias	243	(6)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	249	(1)
Special Subject Encyclopedias, Treatises, and Restatements	249	(1)
Legal Periodicals and Newspapers	249	(1)
American Law Reports Annotated	250	(1)
Citing Secondary Authority	250	(1)
Ending Your Secondary Research and Relying on Secondary Sources	250	(1)
Practice Tip	251	(1)
Go to Primary Authority	251	(1)
Practice Tip	252	(1)
A Note on Lawbook Publishers	253	(1)
Finding Statutes	253	(1)
Starting with the Citation	254	(1)
Starting with an Index	254	(1)
Practice Tip	254	(1)
Reading an Annotated Statute	254	(4)
Checking the Pocket Part	258	(1)
Finding State Agency Regulations	258	(1)
Practice Tip	258	(1)
Finding Court Opinions	258	(3)
Starting with a Citation or Name	261	(2)
Using a Summary Following a Statute	263	(1)
Using a Digest	263	(3)
Practice Tip	266	(4)
Summary of the Steps for Locating Primary Authority	270	(1)
Update Your Research	270	(1)
Using the Digest Topics and Key Numbers	271	(1)
Using Shepard's	272	(6)
Using Both Digests and Shepard's	278	(2)
Decide When to Stop Researching	280	(1)
Research Involving Federal Statutes and Regulations	280	(4)
Computer-Assisted Research	284	(7)
Major On-Line Providers	284	(1)
The Major Commercial Databases: Lexis, Westlaw, and LoisLaw	284	(1)
Lexis	284	(1)
Westlaw	284	(1)
LoisLaw	285	(1)
Other Internet-Based Resources	285	(1)
Computer Search Techniques	285	(1)
Determining Which Database to Use	286	(1)
Searching within a Database	286	(1)
Terms and Connectors	286	(2)
Practice Tip	288	(1)
Natural Language	289	(1)
Variation among Services	289	(1)
Updating with Lexis, Westlaw, and LoisLaw	289	(1)
Practice Tip	289	(1)
Beyond Researching Primary Authority	290	(1)
Ethics Alert	290	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	290	(1)
The Interrelationship of Researching Materials	291	(4)
Summary	291	(1)
Review Questions 1-29	292	(3)
Applying the Law	295	(26)
Introduction	295	(1)
Predicting the Outcome in Your Client's Case	295	(5)
Looking for Analogies and Distinctions	295	(1)
Determine Whether the Governing Rules of Law and Issues Are the Same in Both Cases	296	(1)
Decide Which Facts Are the Key Facts in the Prior Case	296	(1)
Decide How Those Facts Are Similar to or Different from the Facts of Your Client's Case	296	(1)
Explain Why Those Similarities or Differences Matter	297	(1)
Selecting among Precedents	297	(1)
Chambers v. Maroney	298	(2)
A Note on Logic	300	(3)
The Format for a Written Analysis	303	(10)
Using IRAC	303	(1)
Ethics Alert	304	(2)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	306	(3)
Practice Tip	309	(1)
Synthesizing Cases	310	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 2-4	311	(2)
Internal Office Memoranda	313	(8)
Format and Content	313	(1)
Heading	313	(1)
Question Presented (Issue)	314	(1)
Brief Answer	314	(1)
Facts	314	(1)
Applicable Statutes	315	(1)
Discussion	315	(1)
Practice Tip	316	(1)
Conclusion	316	(1)
Sample Law Office Memorandum	316	(3)
Summary	319	(1)
Review Questions 1-6	319	(2)
PART 3 Legal Ethics and Substantive Law	321	(380)
Legal Ethics	323	(46)
Introduction	323	(2)
Regulation of Attorneys	325	(2)
Discussion Questions 1-3	326	(1)
Regulation of Paralegals	327	(2)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	328	(1)
The Big Three: Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, and the Unauthorized Practice of Law	329	(32)
Client Confidentiality	329	(1)
Practice Tip	329	(1)
Discussion Questions 4-6	330	(1)
Practice Tip	331	(2)
People v. Mitchell	333	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	334	(1)
Discussion Questions 7-8	335	(1)
Conflict of Interest	336	(2)
Concurrent Representation/Actual Conflict	338	(1)
Concurrent Representation/Potential Conflict	338	(1)
Successive Representation	339	(1)
Vicarious Representation	339	(2)
Practice Tip	341	(2)
In re Complex Asbestos Litigation	343	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-5	344	(1)
The Unauthorized Practice of Law	344	(2)
Justifications for Restrictions	346	(1)
Defining the Practice of Law	347	(1)
Prohibited Tasks	348	(1)
Courtroom and Administrative Agency Representation	348	(2)
In re Arons	350	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	352	(1)
Preparation of Legal Documents	353	(1)
Giving Legal Advice	354	(1)
Appropriate Paralegal Tasks	355	(1)
Contact with Clients and People Outside the Office	355	(1)
Participation in Legal Proceedings	356	(1)
Drafting Legal Documents	356	(1)
Louisiana State Bar Association v. Edwins	356	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	358	(1)
Nature of the Supervision	358	(2)
Discussion Question 9	360	(1)
Money Matters	361	(2)
Practice Tip	361	(1)
Client Funds	361	(1)
Charging Clients for Paralegal Time	362	(1)
Fee-Splitting	362	(1)
Avoiding Solicitation	363	(1)
Overzealous Representation	363	(1)
Talking to the Opposing Party or Jurors	363	(1)
Avoiding Deception	363	(1)
Enforcement	364	(1)
Tort Law of Negligence	364	(5)
Discussion Questions 10-11	365	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	366	(1)
Summary	366	(1)
Review Questions 1-27	366	(3)
Torts	369	(68)
Introduction	369	(2)
Intentional Torts	371	(20)
Harm to a Person's Body, Reputation, or Emotional Well-Being	372	(1)
Assault and Battery	372	(1)
The Elements of Assault and Battery	372	(1)
Knight v. Jewett	373	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	374	(1)
The Defenses to Assault and Battery	374	(1)
Katko v. Briney	375	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-6	376	(1)
False Imprisonment	377	(1)
The Elements of False Imprisonment	377	(1)
Defenses to False Imprisonment	377	(1)
Coblyn v. Kennedy's, Inc.	378	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	380	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	380	(1)
Discussion Question 1	381	(1)
Defamation	381	(1)
The Elements of Defamation	381	(1)
Defamation of Public Figures	382	(1)
Ethics Alert	383	(1)
Defenses to Defamation	383	(1)
Discussion Question 2	384	(1)
Invasion of Privacy	384	(1)
Practice Tip	385	(1)
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress	385	(1)
Agis v. Howard Johnson Company	386	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	387	(1)
Discussion Questions 3-4	387	(1)
Harm to a Person's Property	388	(1)
Trespass to Land	388	(1)
Trespass to Personal Property and Conversion	388	(1)
Defenses to Torts against Property	388	(1)
Practice Tip	389	(1)
Other Intentional Torts	389	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	389	(2)
Negligence	391	(32)
The Elements of Negligence	391	(1)
Duty	391	(1)
Practice Tip	392	(2)
Discussion Question 5	394	(1)
Woods v. Lancet	394	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-5	397	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 3-5	397	(1)
Breach	397	(2)
Ethics Alert	399	(1)
Sauer v. Hebrew Institute of Long Island, Inc.	399	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	400	(1)
Discussion Questions 6-7	400	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 6	400	(1)
Cause	400	(2)
Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company	402	(1)
Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad Company	402	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	403	(1)
Intervening Cause	404	(1)
Anglin v. State [of Florida] Department of Transportation	404	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	407	(1)
Duty of Care to Third Parties	407	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 7-10	408	(1)
Harm	409	(1)
Discussion Question 8	410	(1)
Defenses to Negligence	410	(1)
Contributory Negligence	410	(1)
Assumption of the Risk	411	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 11-12	412	(1)
Comparative Negligence	413	(1)
Immunities	413	(1)
Irwin v. Town of Ware	414	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	416	(1)
Reckless Behavior	416	(2)
Knight v. Jewett	418	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-7	419	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 13-16	420	(3)
Strict Liability	423	(6)
Ultrahazardous Activities	423	(1)
Products Liability	424	(1)
Doe v. Miles Labs., Inc.	424	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	427	(1)
Defenses to Strict Liability Torts	428	(1)
New Torts	429	(2)
Practice Tip	429	(1)
Wrongful Life or Wrongful Birth	429	(1)
Battered Woman's Syndrome	429	(1)
Ethics Alert	430	(1)
Drug Dealer Liability Act	430	(1)
Discussion Questions 9-10	431	(1)
Remedies	431	(6)
Practice Tip	431	(3)
Discussion Questions 11-13	434	(1)
Summary	434	(1)
Review Questions 1-31	435	(2)
Contract Law	437	(52)
Introduction	437	(1)
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)	438	(3)
Ethics Alert	440	(1)
Types of Contracts	441	(1)
Discussion Question 1	442	(1)
The Elements of a Binding Contract	442	(16)
Offer and Acceptance	444	(1)
Offer	444	(1)
Statements of Intent and Preliminary Negotiations	445	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	445	(1)
Terms Definite	446	(1)
Lefkowitz v. Great Minneapolis Surplus Store, Inc.	446	(2)
Practice Tip	448	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	448	(1)
Termination of an Offer	448	(1)
Acceptance	449	(1)
Practice Tip	450	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	450	(1)
Quasi-contract	451	(1)
Discussion Question 2	452	(1)
Consideration	452	(1)
Detriment to Promisee or Benefit to Promisor	452	(1)
Hamer v. Sidway	453	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	454	(1)
Problems with Consideration	454	(1)
Alaska Packers' Association v. Domenico	455	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	457	(1)
Promissory Estoppel	457	(1)
Defenses to a Valid Contract	458	(16)
Lack of Contractual Capacity	458	(1)
Minors	459	(1)
Quality Motors, Inc. v. Hays	459	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	461	(1)
Intoxication	461	(1)
Lucy v. Zehmer	461	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	463	(1)
Mental Incompetence	464	(1)
Illegal Contracts and Those That Violate Public Policy	464	(1)
Lack of Genuiness of Assent	465	(1)
Fraud	465	(1)
Vokes v. Arthur Murray, Inc.	466	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	467	(1)
Mistake	467	(1)
Undue Influence	468	(1)
Duress	468	(1)
Breach of Warranty	468	(1)
Practice Tip	469	(1)
Webster v. Blue Ship Tea Room, Inc.	470	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	472	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 3	472	(1)
Lack of Proper Format---Writing	472	(1)
Discussion Questions 3-4	473	(1)
Ethics Alert	474	(1)
Termination of Contractual Duties	474	(4)
By Performance	474	(1)
Jacob & Youngs, Inc. v. Kent	475	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	476	(1)
By Agreement	477	(1)
When Performance Is Impossible	477	(1)
Due to Commercial Impracticability	477	(1)
Third-Party Rights	478	(2)
Assignment	478	(1)
Delegation	478	(1)
Third-Party Beneficiaries	478	(1)
Intended Beneficiaries	479	(1)
Incidental Beneficiaries	480	(1)
Damages	480	(2)
Drafting and Reviewing Contracts	482	(7)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 4	484	(1)
Summary	485	(1)
Review Questions 1-41	485	(4)
Property and Estate Law	489	(30)
Introduction	489	(1)
Property Law	489	(17)
Ownership of Real Property	491	(2)
Discussion Questions 1-2	493	(1)
Rental of Real Property	493	(1)
Practice Tip	494	(1)
Baiz v. Hoffius	495	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	497	(1)
Transfer of Real Property	497	(1)
Practice Tip	497	(1)
Sale	498	(1)
Death of the Owner	499	(1)
Ethics Alert	499	(1)
Practice Tip	500	(1)
Gift	500	(1)
Seizure by a Creditor	500	(1)
Eminent Domain	500	(1)
Zoning Laws	501	(2)
Public Use	503	(2)
Discussion Question 3	505	(1)
Adverse Possession	505	(1)
Transfer of Personal Property	506	(1)
Estate Planning	506	(13)
Wills	507	(1)
Practice Tips	507	(1)
Ethics Alert	508	(1)
Living Wills	509	(1)
Trusts	509	(1)
Probate Process	509	(1)
Intestate Succession	510	(2)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	512	(2)
Probating a Will	514	(1)
Practice Tip	514	(1)
In the Matter of the Estate of Franklin J. Till	514	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	517	(1)
Discussion Question 4	517	(1)
Summary	517	(1)
Review Questions 1-18	518	(1)
Laws Affecting Business	519	(56)
Introduction	519	(2)
The Four Basic Business Forms	521	(8)
Sole Proprietorship	521	(1)
Partnership	522	(2)
Ethics Alert	524	(1)
Van Dyke v. Bixby	525	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	526	(1)
Corporation	526	(2)
Limited Liability Company and Limited Liability Partnership	528	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 1-2	529	(1)
Borrowing Money	529	(5)
Commercial Paper	529	(2)
Secured Transactions	531	(3)
Agency Law and an Employer's Responsibility for an Employee's Act	534	(6)
Agency Law	534	(1)
Ethics Alert	535	(1)
Employees versus Independent Contractors	535	(1)
Employees and Independent Contractors as Agents	536	(1)
Employer's Liability for Acts of Employees	536	(1)
Ethics Alert	537	(1)
O'Connor v. McDonald's Restaurants of California, Inc.	538	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	539	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 3-7	540	(1)
Employment Law	540	(35)
Title VII: Discrimination Based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, or National Origin	541	(1)
Introduction to Title VII	541	(3)
Discussion Questions 1-3	544	(1)
The Three Theories of Discrimination	545	(1)
Overt Intentional Discrimination and the BFOQ Defense	545	(1)
Diaz v. Pan American World Airways, Inc.	546	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	548	(1)
Discussion Question 4	549	(1)
Intentional Discrimination---Disparate Treatment	549	(1)
McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green	550	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	551	(1)
Practice Tip	552	(1)
Unintentional Discrimination---Disparate Impact	553	(1)
Griggs v. Duke Power Co.	554	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-5	556	(1)
Sexual Harassment	557	(2)
Discussion Questions 5-6	559	(1)
Affirmative Action	559	(4)
Discussion Questions 7-8	563	(1)
Damage Awards and Other Relief under Title VII	563	(1)
Discussion Question 9	564	(1)
ADEA: Age Discrimination	564	(3)
ADA: Disability Discrimination	567	(2)
Practice Tip	569	(1)
Limitations on Employee Lawsuits against State and Local Governmental Employers	569	(1)
Common Law Approaches: At-Will Employment	570	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 8-10	571	(1)
Summary	571	(1)
Review Questions 1-39	572	(3)
Family Law	575	(50)
Introduction	575	(1)
Marriage	576	(33)
Discussion Questions 1-4	577	(1)
Consequences of Marriage	578	(1)
Practice Tip	578	(1)
Practice Tip	578	(1)
Same-Sex Marriages and Civil Unions	578	(2)
Opinions of the Justices to the Senate	580	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-7	583	(2)
Discussion Questions 5-8	585	(1)
Premarital Agreements	586	(1)
Discussion Questions 9-10	586	(1)
Ethics Alert	587	(1)
Consequences of Broken Engagements	587	(1)
Aronow v. Silver	587	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	589	(1)
Termination of the Marital Relationship	589	(1)
Annulment	589	(1)
Practice Tip	590	(1)
Discussion Questions 11-12	591	(1)
Divorce/Dissolution	591	(1)
Ethics Alert	592	(1)
Practice Tip	592	(1)
Divorce Procedures	593	(3)
Property Settlements	596	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	596	(2)
Practice Tip	598	(1)
Practice Tip	598	(1)
Woodworth v. Woodworth	599	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	600	(1)
Alimony/Maintenance Agreements	601	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 2	601	(1)
Custody, Visitation, and Child Support	601	(1)
Carroll v. Carroll	602	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	604	(3)
Practice Tip	607	(1)
Discussion Questions 13-17	608	(1)
The Parent-Child Relationship	609	(16)
Establishing the Relationship	609	(1)
Paternity Actions	609	(1)
Discussion Questions 18-20	610	(1)
Adoption	610	(2)
Discussion Questions 21-22	612	(1)
In re Petition of John Doe and Jane Doe, Husband and Wife, to Adopt Baby Boy Janikova	612	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	613	(1)
Adoption Records	614	(1)
In re Roger B	614	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	615	(1)
Tort of Wrongful Adoption	616	(1)
Surrogacy	616	(1)
In the Matter of Baby M	617	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	618	(1)
Discussion Question 23	619	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 3	619	(1)
Parental Rights, Responsibilities, and Liabilities	619	(1)
Child Neglect and Abuse	620	(1)
Discussion Questions 24-26	621	(1)
Legal Status of Minors	622	(1)
Summary	623	(1)
Review Questions 1-24	623	(2)
Criminal Law and Procedure	625	(76)
Introduction	625	(1)
Ethics Alert	626	(1)
Substantive Criminal Law	627	(31)
Common-Law Heritage and Model Penal Code	627	(1)
Ethics Alert	627	(1)
Discussion Questions 1-3	628	(1)
Classification of Crimes	628	(1)
Severity of Punishment	628	(1)
Type of Harm	629	(2)
Practice Tip	631	(1)
Federal or State Law	631	(1)
Elements of the Crime	632	(1)
Actus Reus	632	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 1	633	(1)
Mens Rea	634	(1)
Smallwood v. State [of Maryland]	634	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	636	(3)
Parties to the Crime	639	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercises 2-4	640	(2)
Defenses	642	(1)
Practice Tip	642	(1)
Alibi Defense	642	(1)
Ignorance or Mistake	642	(1)
Status: Infancy, Insanity, and Intoxication	643	(1)
Practice Tip	643	(2)
People v. Wolff	645	(1)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	646	(2)
Discussion Questions 4-6	648	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 5	648	(1)
Practice Tip	649	(1)
Duress and Necessity	649	(1)
Entrapment	650	(1)
Reactive Defenses	650	(1)
People v. Goetz	651	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-3	653	(1)
Practice Tip	654	(1)
Statutes of Limitations and Speedy Trial Acts	654	(1)
Constitutional Defenses	655	(2)
Discussion Questions 7-9	657	(1)
Dynamic Change	658	(1)
Criminal Procedure	658	(43)
Practice Tip	658	(1)
Investigation of the Crime	659	(2)
Search and Seizure	661	(1)
Stop and Frisk	661	(2)
Arrest	663	(1)
Searches and Seizures of Evidence	663	(1)
Practice Tip	664	(2)
Discussion Questions 10-11	666	(1)
Questioning Suspects	666	(4)
Rhode Island v. Innis	670	(3)
Case Discussion Questions 1-2	673	(1)
Ethics Alert	674	(1)
Practice Tip	674	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 6	675	(1)
The Court System	675	(1)
Formal Charges, Initial Appearances, and Bail	675	(2)
Preliminary Hearings and Grand Juries	677	(1)
Arraignments, the Exclusionary Rule, and Pretrial Motions	678	(1)
Ethics Alert	678	(1)
Practice Tip	679	(1)
Practice Tip	680	(1)
Discussion Question 12	680	(3)
Ethics Alert	683	(1)
Mapp v. Ohio	683	(2)
Case Discussion Questions 1-4	685	(1)
Legal Reasoning Exercise 7	685	(1)
Plea Bargaining	686	(1)
The Right to a Jury Trial	687	(1)
Practice Tip	687	(2)
Trial Procedures	689	(1)
Practice Tip	689	(1)
Discussion Question 13	690	(1)
Sentencing and Punishment	690	(1)
Theories of Punishment	690	(1)
Sentencing Procedures	691	(1)
Sentencing Guidelines	692	(1)
Habitual Offender Statutes	692	(1)
Capital Punishment	693	(1)
Appeal	694	(1)
Discussion Questions 14-18	695	(1)
Summary	695	(1)
Review Questions 1-47	696	(5)
Appendix A Excerpts from the United States Constitution	701	(6)
Appendix B Fundamentals of Good Writing	707	(24)
Introduction	707	(1)
Part I: Grammar	708	(10)
Use Proper Sentence Structure	708	(1)
Use Simple Sentence Construction	708	(1)
Use Normal Sentence Order	708	(1)
One Thought per Sentence	708	(1)
Limit Sentences to Twenty-Five Words	708	(1)
Use Tabulations	709	(1)
Avoid Intrusive Phrases	709	(1)
Avoid Sentence Fragments	710	(1)
Avoid Run-On Sentences (Fused Sentences and Comma Splices)	711	(1)
Use Parallel Construction	712	(1)
Use the Proper Verb Tense	712	(1)
Make Sure Pronouns and Antecedents Agree	713	(1)
Put Modifying Words Close to What They Modify	714	(1)
Avoid Punctuation Problems	715	(1)
Use the Serial Comma	715	(1)
Do Not Use a Comma with Compound Verbs or between a Subject and Its Verb	715	(1)
Use Commas to Set Off Phrases Containing Nonessential Information	716	(1)
Forming the Possessive	716	(1)
Combining Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation	717	(1)
Part II: Style	718	(7)
Avoid Long Paragraphs	718	(1)
Do Not Bury Your Points	719	(1)
Use Transitions	719	(1)
Be Concise	720	(1)
Eliminate Unnecessary Words	720	(1)
Remove Unnecessary Introductory Phrases	721	(1)
Say It Once	721	(1)
Avoid the Passive Voice	721	(2)
Special Rules for Legal Writing	723	(1)
Avoid Legalese	723	(1)
Make the Court and Not the Court Opinion the Actor	723	(1)
Avoid Unnecessary Variation	723	(1)
Do Not Use the First Person	724	(1)
Do Not Use Contractions	724	(1)
Do Not Ask Your Reader Questions	724	(1)
That Case/This Case	725	(1)
Written Numbers versus Numerals	725	(1)
Do Not Eliminate the Articles ``A,'' ``An,'' and ``The''	725	(1)
Part III: Correct Word Usage	725	(6)
Summary	727	(1)
Review Questions 1-25	728	(3)
Appendix C The Basics of Citation Form	731	(28)
Introduction	731	(2)
Part I: Court Opinion Citation Form	733	(13)
Case Reporters	735	(1)
The Essentials of Case Citation	736	(2)
Case Name	738	(1)
Omit First Names	739	(1)
Omit Descriptive Terms	739	(1)
Omit All but the First Parties' Names	739	(1)
Use Abbreviations	739	(1)
The State as Part of the Citation	740	(1)
Case Reporter	740	(1)
The Parallel Citation	741	(1)
A Special Rule for the U.S. Supreme Court	742	(1)
Advance Sheets, Westlaw, and Lexis	743	(1)
Cite to Specific Pages	743	(1)
Parenthetical	744	(1)
Case History	745	(1)
Part II: Enacted Law Citation Form	746	(6)
Statutory Citation	747	(1)
Federal Statutes	747	(1)
State Statutes	748	(2)
Local Ordinances	750	(1)
Administrative Law	751	(1)
Constitutions	752	(1)
Part III: Using Citations in Your Legal Writing	752	(3)
The Citation as a Sentence or Clause	752	(1)
String Citations	753	(1)
Explanatory Parentheticals	753	(1)
Signals	753	(1)
Authority Previously Cited---Short Citing	754	(1)
Example of Citations Integrated into Text	755	(1)
Summary of the Most Common Citation Forms	755	(1)
Part IV: Citations in the Electronic Era	755	(4)
Summary	757	(1)
Review Questions 1-15	757	(2)
Appendix D Ethical Codes	759	(8)
National Association of Legal Assistants Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility	759	(2)
NFPA Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility	761	(6)
Appendix E NetNotes	767	(6)
Business Information	767	(1)
Citation Rules	767	(1)
Commercial On-Line Providers	767	(1)
Court System	768	(1)
Criminal Law	768	(1)
Government Sites	768	(1)
Grammar	768	(1)
Legal Ethics	769	(1)
Legal News	769	(1)
Legal Search Engines	769	(1)
Organizations	769	(1)
Primary Material	770	(1)
Torts	770	(1)
Uniform Laws	771	(2)
Glossary	773	(24)
Table of Cases	797	(4)
Index	801