1. Chapter One The Legal Community and Professional Responsibility

2. The Legal Community Lawyers Paralegals Legal Support Staff Court Personnel Agency Personnel

3. Paralegal Skills Oral and Written Communication Skills Research Skills Critical Thinking / Analytical Skills Organizational Skills

4. Paralegal / Legal Assistant Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, are individuals whose training and education enable them to assist lawyers by performing certain legal tasks that have traditionally been done by lawyers.

5. Regulation of Paralegals NALA: National Association of Legal Assistants NFPA: National Federation of Paralegal Associations

6. Legal Support Staff Legal Secretaries Law Clerks Paralegals Case Assistants Case Clerks

7. Court Personnel Judges Court Clerks Court Reporters Bailiffs

8. Professional Organizations American Bar Association State Bar Associations Local Bar Associations American Trial Lawyers Association National Federation of Paralegal Associations American Association for Paralegal Education Local Paralegal Associations National Association of Legal Assistants

9. Ethical Responsibilities Fiduciary Duty Confidentiality Competency Conflict of Interest Attorney Fees and Trust Accounts Diligence Communication with Opposing Parties Unauthorized Practice of Law

10. Ethical Rules and Guidelines The Model Code of Professional Responsibility The Model Rules of Professional Conduct Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Legal Assistants (NALA) Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (NALA) Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (NFPA)