Interviewing and Investigating : Essential Skills for the Paralegal

In his exciting new book, author Stephen Parsons drives home the point that interviewing and investigating skills are to be mastered--not memorized. He also instills in students the fact that these skills are essential For The well-trained paralegal--every bit as critical as legal research skills. As such, his approach is two-fold: First, join textual discussion of the subject matter with hands-on learning activities. And, second, provide varied and realistic scenarios in which the student applies the principles studied. The first part of the book's two-part organization, Foundations for Interviewing and Investigation introduces the student To The legal contexts in which interviewing and investigating skills are utilized. The second part, Formulating and Executing a Plan of Investigation, walks the student, step by step, through an investigation. Pasons puts students on a path to being able to effectively assist an attorney in case or project investigation, by helping them: Understand The critical connection between law and fact engage in effective factual analysis develop communication skills commit To The highest standards of legal ethics get grounded in the adversarial system, The formal discovery rules in civil and criminal cases, The distinctions between formal and informal investigation, And The basic rules of evidence. Special features, at a glance: Numerous brief examples-sprinkled throughout the text-are drawn from a variety of both civil and criminal, litigation and non-litigation scenarios. Frequent illustrations accompany the examples. Lengthier hypotheticals, positioned at key points throughout each chapter, presents a specific factual and legal context in which students can see the application of the concepts. Discussion questions enable students to engage in immediate analysis as they reinforce the lessons taught by the hypotheticals. Learn by Doing exercises provide hands-on learning activities related To The subject covered in the chapter. Four case studies (a murder case, a personal injury case, a domestic relations case, and a real estate development project) are designed to be used with the Learn by Doing exercises in each chapter and provide realistic scenarios for applying the concepts. Excellent appendices provide resources for students, including extensive information on on-line resources for investigators. Instructor's Manual includes teaching tips, suggested answers for discussion questions, sample test questions, a model syllabus, and detailed information for using the case studies in the text.