NITA Publications

Trial Prep for Paralegals

Coyne and Furi-Perry have created the essential how-to guide for trial preparation. Paralegals will master every stage of litigation, from initial client interviews to pulling together the trial notebook. The book begins with overviews of the litigation process and the evidence rules. Practical skills for interviewing, handling discovery, preparing exhibits, and more are then introduced and explained with examples. Finally, the book stresses the importance of communication and working well with attorneys, clients, courts, and others.

• >> TABLE OF CONTENTS
  CONTENTS
  
  INTRODUCTION
  
  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  
  PART I: SUBSTANTIVE LEARNING
  
  Chapter 1: Litigation Overview
  Chapter 2: Evidence Overview
  Chapter 3: What to Expect Before and at Trial
  
  PART II: PRACTICAL SKILLS
  
  Chapter 4: Getting Started with Case Management and Organization
  Chapter 5: Interviewing and Investigation
  Chapter 6: Keeping Track of Discovery and Mastering E-Discovery
  Chapter 7: E-Discovery Issues and Programs
  Chapter 8: Assisting with Testimonial Evidence
  Chapter 9: Exhibit Preparation, Maintenance, and Coordination
  Chapter 10: Mastering Trial Technology
  Chapter 11: Putting Together a Trial Notebook
  Chapter 12: Handling Pretrial and Settlement Matters and Assisting with Voir Dire
  Chapter 13: Organizing a War Room and for Document Maintenance
  
  PART III: WORKING TOGETHER
  
  Chapter 14: Working with Your Attorney
  Chapter 15: Working with Others
  Chapter 16: Beyond the Paralegal Title
  Chapter 17: Handling the Heat
  Chapter 18: A Primer on Paralegal Ethics

• >> AUTHORS
  
  
  • Michael Coyne
    
    
    • Michael L. Coyne is a professor of law, trial lawyer, and the Associate Dean of the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover. He teaches Civil Procedure and Conflict Resolution, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, and trial skills. He is also the co-director of MSL's nationally recognized trial advocacy program. Mr. Coyne is the co-author of several books: Trial Prep for Paralegals: Effective Case Management and Support to Attorneys in Preparation for Trial (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2009); Bar Essay BootCamp; 1L BootCamp; Trial Prep for the New Advocate (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2011); the casebook Modern Procedural Remedies; and many articles for publication. Mr. Coyne lectured in bar review programs for many years.

  
  

  • Ursula Furi-Perry
    
    
    • Ursula Furi-Perry is the author of more than 300 published articles and nine books: 50 Legal Careers for Non-Lawyers (ABA Publishing, 2008); 50 Unique Legal Paths: Finding the Right Job (ABA Publishing, 008); Law School Revealed: Secrets, Opportunities, and Success! (Jist Publishing, 2009); Trial Prep for Paralegals (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2009); Bar Essay BootCamp; 1L BootCamp; Your First Year as a Lawyer Revealed (Jist Publishing, 2010); The Legal Assistant's Complete Desk Reference (ABA Publishing, 2010); and Trial Prep for the New Advocate (National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2011.) She is the Director of Academic Support and Adjunct Professor at the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, where she teaches Bar Essay Writing. She received her BA from Brandeis University and is a magna cum laude graduate of the Massachusetts School of Law, where she finished at the top of her class.