The Texas Paralegal: Essential Rules, Documents, and Resources (Delmar Cengage Learning)

The Texas Paralegal: Essential Rules, Documents, and Resources

Table of Contents


Part 1. Paralegal Profession
1.1 Overview of Texas Paralegals
1.2 Paralegal Associations and Related Groups in Texas
1.3 Sources of CLE for Paralegals
Appendix A. Paralegals in Court Opinions
Appendix B. Becoming an Attorney in Texas

Part 2. Paralegal Employment
2.1 Resources for Finding Employment in Texas
2.2 Sample Paralegal Job Descriptions in State Government
2.3 Sample Paralegal Job Description in a Federal Agency Located in Texas
2.4 Pro Bono Opportunities for Paralegals
2.5 Becoming a Notary Public
2.6 An Employee or an Independent Contractor?
2.7 Overtime Pay under Federal Law and State Law
2.8 Laid-Off Paralegals and Unemployment Compensation
2.9 Injured Paralegals and Workers’ Compensation
Appendix A. Deductibility of the Cost of Paralegal Education or Training

Part 3. Ethics, Paralegals, and Attorneys
3.1 Defining the Practice of Law and the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) in Texas
3.2 Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct (DRPC)
3.3 Ethical Opinions on Paralegals and other Nonattorneys
3.4 Texas Bar Associations (including Paralegal Membership Categories)
Appendix A. Timeline: Disciplinary Proceedings against an Attorney

Part 4. Legal System
4.1 Introduction to the State Government of Texas
4.2 State Courts in Texas
4.3 Federal Courts in Texas
4.4 State Legislation: How a Bill Becomes a Texas Statute
4.5 State Agencies, Offices, and Boards
4.6 Counties and Cities: Selected Useful Law-Related Sites

Part 5. Legal Research and Records Research
5.1 Texas State Legal Research
5.2 Citation Examples: Some Comparisons
5.3 Abbreviations in Citations: Some Comparisons
5.4 Abbreviations for Notetaking
5.5 Research Starters for 74 Major Texas Topics
5.6 Self-Help Resources
5.7 Public Records Research
5.8 Finding Law Libraries in Your Area
5.9 Hotline Resources and Complaint Directories
 PART 6. Procedure: Some Basics
6.1 Timeline: A Civil Case in the Texas State Courts
6.2 Venue, Process, Pleadings, and Discovery: 45 Rules Even Non-Litigation Paralegals Should Know
6.3 State and Federal Civil Litigation in Texas: Some Comparisons
6.4 Timeline: A Criminal Case in the Texas State Courts

PART 7. Sample Documents
7.1 Sample Petition Action Filed in a Texas State Court
7.2 Sample Civil Complaint Filed in a Federal District Court in Texas
7.3 Sample Legal Memorandum Applying Texas Law
7.4 Sample Appellate Brief Filed in the Texas Supreme Court
7.5 Sample Criminal Complaint Filed in a Texas State Court
 PART 8. Comprehensive Legal Dictionary