A practical and comprehensive introduction to law office management for paralegal students. The text first studies the law firm as a system, progresses through the administration of the law office, the use of technology in law, and finally, professional development for students and new paralegals. The Second Edition is updated to include many new case studies, Total Quality Management (TQM) in the law office, integrated technical systems for law practice, and the latest office and legal technology including computers, electronic libraries, and computerized document assembly. written just for paralegal students, the text is reinforced through the use of visuals and study aids such as chapter objectives, on point case studies, guest editorials, key terms and review questions. Practicing paralegals will refer to this essential resource time and again in the law office. ALSO AVAILABLE INSTRUCTOR SUPPLEMENTS CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO ORDER Instructors Manual, ISBN: 0-8273-7140-3 Computerized Test Bank (1996) ISBN: 0-8273-7975-7

Table of Contents

Preface. The Legal Process & the Law Office:The Work of the Paralegal. Malpractice Avoidance. Legal Environment: Structure & People; Managing Law Firm Growth. Law Office Administration: Office Systems & Procedures. Law Office Accounting & Zero-Based Budgeting. The Management of Time. Records Management.The Law Library & Other Office Management Systems. Computers & Technology in the Law Office: Computers & Paralegals: A Working Relationaship. Word & Data Processing. Telecommunications & Office Equipment. Technical Applications & Legal Practice. Professionalism: Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility. The Art of Communication. Coping With Stress. Professional Development. Appendix. Glossary. Index.