Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A Critical Thinking Approach, Seventh Edition

Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A Critical Thinking Approach frames concepts and practice within the authors’ trademark design for learning that fosters critical thinking and analysis. This comprehensive, intelligent text offers an introduction to law and legal concepts combined with practical information about what paralegals actually do in the legal system. A critical thinking approach is used to introduce students to the study of law, encouraging them to interact with the materials through hypotheticals, examples, and discussion questions.

New to the Seventh Edition:

• Several organizational changes make the book even easier to use:
  • Criminal Law and Procedure was split into two chapter. This change made the chapters more manageable for students to read and understand.
  • The authors made it easier to compare and contrast Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure with Civil Litigation and Torts by grouping these chapters together. This also provides a more natural flow to the topics that follow in the chapter on Specialized Practice Areas.
• Thorough updates throughout with new and expanded topics and discussions of recent court decisions. Includes changes that have occurred in the legal profession due to COVID-19.
• New Legal Reasoning exercises, Discussion Questions, Review Questions, and updated the Web Exercises.
• Enhanced section on executive power
• Updated to cover the 21st edition of The Bluebook (published July, 2020.)

Professors and student will benefit from:

• Comprehensive coverage of all the key topics typically included in the introductory course, in four parts: Part I: Paralegals and the American Legal System; Part II: Substance of the Law; Part III: Legal Analysis and Research; Part IV: Paralegals and the Work World.
• Critical thinking approach teaches students not only the facts about the law, but also how to apply it.
• Pedagogy includes ethics alerts, marginal definitions, reasoning exercises, hypotheticals, and examples.
• Coverage of specialized practice areas such as business, employment, immigration, real estate, and family law.
• Paralegal profiles provide context and real-world perspective.
• Well-written, teachable book with comprehensive coverage and thoughtful pedagogy.
• Text is readable without talking down to students. Structure of chapters ensures that students understand and learn the material.
• Author team brings a wealth of experience to the book. Strong ancillary materials enhance the book’s carefully crafted content.