Introduction to Law for Paralegals: A Critical Thinking Approach (Aspen Paralegal)

Book Synopsis: Balancing practice and theory, Introduction to Law for Paralegals: A Critical Thinking Approach offers a well-rounded introduction to law and the American legal system. Currier, Eimermann, and Campbell’s thoughtfully revised seventh edition offers comprehensive coverage combined with interesting topics, timely cases, and effective pedagogy. Through hypotheticals, examples, and well-designed questions, the authors engage students in the process of critical thinking and analysis.

New to the Seventh Edition:

• Updated with changes in the law, new NetNotes and Web Exercises, and additional Discussion Questions and Legal Reasoning Exercises
• New case excerpts on trademark issues and the constitutionality of the disparagement clause (Ch. 13); same-sex marriage, paternity, and custody disputes (Ch. 15); inducement to commit suicide (Ch. 16); and cell phone privacy (Ch. 17)
• Revised chapter on Ethics, including revisions to the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct, a discussion and comparison of rules of conduct and ethical rules, the addition of notary public law, and a new ethics alert regarding client confidentiality
• Discussion of defamation in the era of digital media and the Communication Decency Act of 1996, contemporary torts in the digital age, and reference to the “MeToo” movement in Chapter 11 on Torts
• New co-author, Marisa Campbell, brings her extensive experience in the paralegal field to the book

Professors and students will benefit from:

• Clear and effective organization—the text is divided into three parts, reflecting the topics addressed in an introductory course: Part I, Paralegals and the American Legal System; Part II, Finding and Analyzing the Law; and Part III, Legal Ethics and Substantive Law
• A critical thinking approach that introduces students to the study of law, encouraging them to interact with the materials through discussion questions and legal reasoning exercises
• Text that is readable without talking down to students—the structure of chapters ensures that students understand and learn the material
• Comprehensive coverage of key legal concepts
• Effective and thoughtful pedagogy throughout, with chapter objectives, ethics alerts, marginal definitions, internet references, and review questions
• Helpful appendices, including Fundamentals of Good Writing and Basics of Citation Form