THE TEXT DISCUSSES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PARALEGALS, THEIR FUNCTION AND SKILLS, THEIR PLACE WITHIN THE EXISTING LEGAL STRUCTURE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARALEGALS AND LAWYERS, CAREER POSSIBILITIES, AND THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY'S METHODS OF DELIVERING LEGAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. ALTHOUGH THE PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON THE SKILLS OF INTERVIEWING, INVESTIGATION, RESEARCH, WRITING, ADMINISTRATION, NEGOTIATION, AND ADVOCACY, BACKGROUND INFORMATION IS ALSO PROVIDED ON THE PARALEGAL'S FUNCTION WITHIN PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT SECTOR LAW PRACTICE, THE ETHICS OF AUTHORIZED AND UNAUTHORIZED LEGAL PRACTICE, THE EDUCATION OF PARALEGALS, ACCREDITATION AND LICENSURE, AND THE PARALEGAL AS A CITIZEN CAPABLE OF SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTION. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE PARALEGAL EXAMINATIONS, SUMMARIES OF STATE AND FEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ON PARALEGALISM, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PARALEGALS IN GOVERNMENT, AND A LIST OF GROUPS INVOLVED IN PARALEGAL MATTERS. TABLES AND CHARTS ARE PROVIDED, AS IS AN INDEX. (KBL)