In discussing the role of the paralegal in the legal system, the profession is first viewed as the emergence of a new career in law. Following the presentation of a definition of the paralegal, stages in the development of paralegalism are considered, along with an historical perspective. In the chapter on paralegal employment, the nine categories of paralegal jobs are described, and paralegal specialties are detailed, followed by a discussion of strategies for finding a job. A chapter is devoted to assertiveness training for paralegals as an important aspect of establishing the importance of the worth of their functions in a job context. The ways in which the activities of paralegals can be regulated are considered, including (1) laws on the unauthorized practice of law and on the authorized practice of law by nonlawyers, (2) State licensing of paralegals, (3) bar controls on a lawyer's use of paralegals, (4) controls on the education of paralegals, (5) self-regulation, and (6) tort law. How to study law and an introduction to the American legal system are also discussed as part of the section on the role of the paralegal in the legal system. The section on the skills of a paralegal contains chapters on introduction to legal analysis, legal interviewing, investigation in a law office, litigation assistantship, legal research and analysis, legal writing, introduction to law office administration and legal systems, informal advocacy with administrative agencies, and formal advocacy before administrative agencies. The instructor's manual provides guidelines for presenting the course in general, as well as individual chapters. The study guide provides questions and answers for each chapter of the text. A bibliography of about 500 listings is appended, along with a list of paralegal associations and a subject index.