This is the fifth edition of the ever-popular ‘The Litigation Paralegal: A Systems Approach’ and still, this book continues to be a handy and precious resource for all paralegal students and professionals. However, the main utility of the book is for faculty teaching paralegal subjects, i.e. as a learning resource that helps teachers in formulating lesson plans along with providing immediate reference to important details.

The book is perhaps the best resource in this niche, combining principles and theories of Law with practical citations of paralegal skills, ethics apart from the documentation aspects of paralegal practice like filling forms and creating checklists. Many sections are attuned to providing reference in the form of online resources and some practice tips. This is one of the few books that explain the overall requirements of the paralegal profession in the context of how a law office functions.

Most importantly, the text acts like a flexible resource for paralegal instructors, presenting a legal office’s litigation system in a step-by-step manner. It also helps the instructors in learning about the importance of organizational skills required to become a paralegal and defines quality-control techniques that students should possess to become successful professionals.

Being the latest edition, the book has graduated to the contemporary demands of running a law office by addressing issues like electronic filing systems and detailing more about the ethical responsibilities of lawyer/paralegal. This is was needed since most modern legal offices file data in the digital format and revisions in the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedures means that paralegals need to update themselves about the latest changes. For instance, the changes in the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) have been duly explained.

The book’s author, James McCord, has experience as a trial attorney and has also taught at the Wisconsin Law School. His experience and expertise in the legal niche is evident as the contents of this textbook fulfil every requirement of a paralegal student, professional or instructor.