The phrase “fake it until you make it” carries particular weight in today’s fast-paced and inflexible legal environment. here’s why…
Your role as a paralegal is an important one, and the attorneys you work for expect you to be on their game at all times. Even if he is having a full-blown anxiety attack, his ability to remain calm, collected and collected is a must in this profession. if you don’t know the answer, find it; if you’re lost, find out. his position will be relatively independent, which is both a blessing and a curse. he is expected to know what to do with little guidance and no hand holding. this means that having the answers is not only convenient, it’s crucial.
You are reading: Paralegal books to study
Even the most seasoned paralegals have a good library of how-to guides and reference books in their personal library because no matter how long you’ve been in the profession, the law has a way of reminding you to never come close to knowing everything. you need to know.
Consider a variety of paralegal reference books and guides as your professional insurance policy. You may think you don’t need them, but when it’s time to make a professional call, you’ll be glad you have them. Whether you’re just out of school and settling into your first paralegal job or have been in the profession for years, you’ll never regret having a full library of paralegal books at your fingertips.
8 Books Paralegals Should Read: Guides and Reference Books for Paralegals to Help You Build a Successful Career
We’ve carefully curated the top books we think every paralegal should read, read again, and then hold on to. The following paralegal guide books and reference books should be on the top of any paralegal’s recommended reading list and a constant on their bookcase.
the red book: a manual on legal style ~ bryan a. barn
written by bryan a. garner, attorney, law professor, grammarian, and lexicographer whose reputation in the legal world is so impressive that his paralegal books have even been cited by the us. uu. supreme court, the red book: a manual on legal style will be his constant companion the moment he lands a paralegal job.
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Grammar, punctuation, style, rules/guidelines/best practices – they’re all covered in this essential reference book that will give you confidence in your editorial choices whenever you’re called upon to produce a high-quality legal document. document. This is not a technical writing book, it is an instructional on legal writing which, as you probably already know, is a completely different animal. If you have questions about all things legal document design and structure, this should be one of your essential paralegal guides. not surprisingly, it’s also a mainstay on the desk of many lawyers.
black law dictionary
The Black’s Law Dictionary is another staple that all paralegals should have on hand at all times. Focusing solely on the language of law, Black’s is arguably the most comprehensive law dictionary ever published, which is why it has been used by legal professionals for over 130 years.
Now in its 11th edition, Black’s includes over 55,000 law-related words and phrases, including 3,500 new terms and over 900 Latin maxims, not just listed, but translated and indexed. Black’s is backed by the expertise of none other than Editor-in-Chief Bryan A. Garner, recognized as the world’s foremost lexicographer and grammarian.
if you have westlaw, you probably have access to the digital version of black’s, but many paralegals will tell you that having access to a desktop copy is also invaluable for those last minute checks for bankruptcy cases and documents when you don’t want to be bothered to log in to your westlaw account.
paralegal today: the essentials ~ roger leroy miller
you may have already encountered a paralegal today: the essentials as part of your paralegal program, and for good reason. It is relevant, concise, and well-written, and includes detailed information on almost any topic related to the profession, making it not only a book for paralegal students, but also a solid reference book for practicing paralegals. You’ll love this book for both its academic information and its practical applications and real-world examples. If you have an ethical conundrum or potential professional problem, chances are this book will have the detailed answer in clear, uncomplicated language. Contemporary topics such as technology in the courtroom, email policies, and issues surrounding ethics and professional responsibility are also part of this comprehensive read, making it a sure bet for number one in your bookstore. .
lessons from the best paralegals: the 15 most successful paralegals and what you can learn from them ~ carole a. bruno
Imagine if you were lucky enough to have a dozen or more super successful paralegals in a room so you could pick from their brains what makes a successful paralegal. The lessons from the best paralegal experts are just like that, wrapped up in a neat little loop for your perusal. Whether you’ve just finished paralegal school and are starting a new job or consider yourself a seasoned professional, you’ll find a lot of valuable information in this read. and we are not talking about bookish information; we’re talking practical, tried-and-true advice from the trenches. how to make the most of your career… how to improve your skills… how to improve your productivity: the practical techniques in this standard reference book for paralegals give you all the information you need to develop your skills and advance your career.
surviving and thriving at the law firm: what every paralegal needs to know ~ richard l. hugo
No matter how well prepared you think you are for a paralegal job, the complex, unpredictable, and often downright frustrating dynamic between paralegal and attorney is arguably one of the most challenging aspects of working as a paralegal. legal. While surviving and thriving at the law firm won’t guarantee an idyllic paralegal-attorney relationship, it sheds a lot of light on the legal environment and what you’ll want to know to do your job well and fit in without causing any unwanted waves. you’ll love the real-life examples that are designed to guide your choices regarding office politics, manage your time effectively, produce work you’ll be proud of, and much more.
paralegal career guide ~ chere b. strin
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The Paralegal Career Guide landed a spot on the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) Recommended Books list, and we agree! This one offers a lot of value for your money, with lots of information on trends in the paralegal profession, advice on how to negotiate your salary, work well with others, make positive changes in your career, and more. All of this practical information is combined with engaging interviews with real-life paralegals. There is also nothing dated about the information here. Just a few of the chapters that really speak to the contemporary issues covered in this reading include: “In Search of Success: Changing Temporary Staff Legal Trends”; “cutting-edge legal careers in the virtual workplace”; Do you call this networking? and “toxic bosses”.
legal research and writing: a practical approach for paralegals ~ robert p. o’neill jr.
Legal writing and research tend to be one of the most complicated parts of working as a paralegal and probably not the most exciting aspect of your job. but it’s important and it’s something you’ll need to address precisely. therefore, you’ll want to make sure you have good paralegal guides at your disposal when it comes time to tackle those research and writing tasks.
Legal Research and Writing: A Practical Approach to Paralegals is one of those paralegal books you’ll come across every time you hit a roadblock. we love the clear language that guides you through all aspects of legal research using a step-by-step approach. no guessing here; Helpful visual aids and fact-based exercises are easy to understand, and the Western law and lexicon instruction offered is practical and comprehensive. The book’s comprehensive case studies eliminate confusion and give you all the tools to get the job done, and get it done right.
paralegal career for dummies ~ scott a. hatch
After long as one of the best-selling paralegal books on the legal education market, Paralegal Career for Dummies should be a part of any paralegal’s library, especially if you’re fairly new to the paralegal. field.
Clear, concise, neatly organized, and easy to digest, if you’re looking for a book to clear up the crystal dark, this is the book for you. best of all, it really does cover everything you think you’ll need to know, and a lot you never knew you’d need to know, with topics ranging from paralegal skills you better have, job hunting skills you’ll want to have, and insight comprehensive approach to everything from document preparation to conducting legal research to understanding legal concepts in areas ranging from corporate law to employment law.
The Paralegal Career For Dummies is one of the best how-to guides to the paralegal profession on the market and has served as a daily guide for countless paralegals. Best of all, it comes with a companion website that you’ll turn to for great online resources and easy-to-access forms and templates that you’ll use again and again.
Learn how a paralegal certificate can advance your career.
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