DUTIES AND GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR THE LEGAL ASSISTANT ARE DISCUSSED IN THE FIRST SECTION. TOPICS INCLUDE THE LEGAL ASSISTANT AND THE LAW; STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE COURT SYSTEMS; PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES; CAUSES OF ACTION IN CIVIL CASES; GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR COMMENCING ACTION, DESCRIBING PLEADINGS, COMPLAINTS, ANSWERS, AND MOTIONS; AND RESEARCH TOOLS, SUCH AS STATUTORY AND CASE LAW, USED IN PREPARING MEMORANDA AND OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS. THE LITIGATION PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE SECTION HIGHLIGHTS THE DISCOVERY PROCESS, THE RULES OF EVIDENCE, AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE LEGAL ASSISTANT DURING LITIGATION. CONCISE, BASIC CONCEPTS OF LAW ARE ALSO PRESENTED; THESE ARE THE SUBJECT AREAS MOST LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED IN EVERYDAY WORK IN THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WORKING WITH A CASUALTY CLAIM (TORT) ACTION, PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE ACTIONS, THE BUSINESS ENTITY, WORKERS' COMPENSATION CASES, LIENS, ESTATE PLANNING, FAMILY LAW, REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, BANKRUPTCY, CONTRACTS, THE CRIMINAL CASE, AND MONEY JUDGMENTS IS DESCRIBED. INCLUDED IN THE WORK ARE INTERVIEW AND MOTION FORMS, A CHECKLIST FOR ADMINISTERING A TESTATE OR INTESTATE PROBATE MATTER, A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCESS, A SELF-STUDY GUIDE TO THE CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCESS, A SELF-STUDY OUTLINE, A GUIDE TO PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND AN EXTENSIVE INDEX. (LWM)