Book excerpt: The fifth edition of this text provides students and faculty with a learning resource written specifically for them. It is a resource combining the theories and principles of law with practical paralegal skills, paralegal ethics, numerous forms, checklists, practice tips, online resources, and a focus on the goals and needs of the paralegal profession, all in the context of the law office. This text also provides instructors with the flexibility to utilize the step-by-step law office litigation system, which stresses student organizational skills and quality control techniques, or any other approach of the instructor's choosing. This new edition addresses electronic discovery and filing and the associated ethical and practical responsibilities of the lawyer and the paralegal. New revisions to the Federal Rules of Evidence and Civil and Appellate Procedure are examined, as are the practice requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. New/revised forms have been added to reflect current practice. Web sites, assignments, key terms, and study questions have been updated throughout the text as well.