Aspen Publishers, Inc.

Basic bankruptcy law for paralegals, abridged. (CD-ROM included)

This abridged edition of the full sixth edition is intended for paralegals assisting in bankruptcy practice; the intention of an abridged version was to provide a description of routine events that occur in bankruptcy proceedings as opposed to give an analysis of the complexities of the Bankruptcy Code. Chapter topics include a short history of bankruptcy, an introduction of the bankruptcy code, filing a petition, general provisions, useful definitions, conversions and dismissal, exemptions, and Chapter 11, 12, and 13 reorganization proceedings. Appendices include documents and deadlines, and tables of cases, statues, and secondary authorities. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Basic wills, trusts, and estates for paralegals, 4th ed.

In this update of an introductory text for students in paralegal programs, an attorney employs a running example of four diverse individual/family situations to introduce the legal principles legal assistants need to know for the preparation and completion of all documents involved in an estate practice. Ethical concerns, e.g., mental competence regarding writing a will are also treated. As Helewitz points out that estate law is state statute-oriented, he offers a comparison of all current state statutes. This edition includes new chapter exercises, updated tax materials, and new/ updated forms. The text features a glossary and an online legal research access pass good for a semester. The next edition should include the higher limit for annual contributions to a traditional IRA. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Business organizations; cases, problems, and case studies, 2d ed.

This casebook meant for law students describes the legal principles involving business associations as well as important concepts relating to business and finance. The authors include discussion of real problems faced by companies, with excerpts from transactional and litigation documents; discuss legal theory in the context of problem solving; and explore formation, management, financial attributes, fiduciary duties, and termination and dissolution in each major section. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Cash balance plan answer book.

Most sponsors of cash balance and other hybrid defined benefit plans agree that the Pension Protection Act of 2006 was a major improvement. However, as the Act develops questions have arisen about conversions of traditional defined benefit plans to cash balance plans and also about how the cash balance plan provisions of the Act will work with existing cash balance plan rules. With this in mind, attorney Schwallie and his co-authors (a senior retirement consultant and a principal actuary) focus on unique features of cash balance plans outside of those applying to churches and government entities. They describe cash balance plan design, administration, age discrimination rules, communication (including reporting and disclosure), plan costs, eligibility and vesting, distributions, accrual rules, coverage and nondiscrimination testing, "top heavy" testing (including determining key employees), investment of plan assets, plan termination, qualified domestic relations orders and determination letters. Includes 2009 supplement due in fall 2008. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Civil procedure; examples and explanations, 6th ed.

Glannon (law, Suffolk University Law School) demystifies civil procedure by providing concrete examples of procedural doctrines and rules in operation, together with full explanations of how these abstract concepts apply to each example. Each chapter (except for the pleading chapters in Part VI) includes an introduction that gives a basic explanation of the relevant procedural concepts, followed by a series of examples. The 'Explanations' section of each chapter presents the author's analysis of the examples in that chapter. Readers are encouraged to answer questions based on case examples and compare their answers with the author's. Chapters are in sections on choosing a proper court, state law in federal courts, the scope of the action, steps in the litigation process, the effect of the judgment, and thinking procedurally. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

English/Spanish and Spanish/English legal dictionary, 3d ed.

A renowned lexicographer and translator, Kaplan (Uttendorf, Austria) is the author of many specialized English-Spanish/Spanish-English dictionaries. He presents a revised and updated reference for lawyers, translators, and those working in English and Spanish in law and associated fields. The publication now contains 100,000-plus entries and some 135,000 equivalents covering all areas of law, plus relevant terms in related spheres of expertise. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Ethical problems in federal tax practice, 4th ed.

The fourth edition of this volume on ethical federal practice tactics has been designed as a reference for accountants and tax attorneys, and now includes new information reflecting the recently adopted ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and recent shifts in IRS strategies toward tax professionals. Wolfman (Harvard Law School), Schenk (New York U. Law School) and Ring (Boston College Law School) cover the basic responsibilities of a modern tax attorney, how to prepare tax returns that meet legal standards and how to avoid audits and litigation. Appendices including current tax codes, practices and regulations are presented as well. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Ethical problems in the practice of law, 2d ed.

Lerman (law, Catholic U. of America) and Schrag (Georgetown U. Law Center, both Washington D.C.) present this text for law students on ethics and professionalism in law practice. Including abundant case examples for students to assess themselves, the chapters address the following main themes: the regulation of lawyers, lawyer liability, the duty to protect client confidences, the attorney-client privilege and the work product doctrine, relationships between lawyers and clients, concurrent conflicts of interest (including considerations in particular settings such as representing family members), conflicts involving former clients, conflicts between lawyers and clients, conflict issues for government lawyers and judges, lawyers' duties to courts, lawyers' duties to adversaries and third persons, regulatory restrictions on law practice, and the provision of legal services. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The EU and third countries; direct taxation.

This text is derived from an international conference held in Vienna in October 2006. The 34 contributions include the overall general report and three articles on specific issues discussed during the conference, followed by national reports from EU Member States and from non-EU Member States. The text provides international tax practitioners and academics with analysis of key issues arising from the relations between European law and third countries in the area of direct taxation, including the external scope of Article 56 EC Treaty and its impact on the relations with third countries, the indirect impact of other fundamental freedoms on the relations with third countries, the scope of fundamental freedoms in relations to EEA States under the EEA Agreement, the impact of secondary EC law on relations with third States, the Article 307 EC Treaty, and the treaty-making power of the EU in relations with third States. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Executive compensation answer book, 7th ed.

Overton (president, Overton Consulting, and executive compensation consulting firm) and Stoffer (a partner in the executive compensation and employee benefits practice group at Seyfarth Shaw LLP) present a new edition of their reference guide providing information on the design, implementation, and administration of executive compensation plans in the United States. Utilizing a question and answer format, they cover fundamental concepts of executive compensation, building a total compensation strategy, defining the executive job and employment terms, identifying and evaluating executive candidates, base salary, deferred compensation, executive employment agreements, non-equity-based annual incentive plans, non-equity-based long-term incentive plans, equity-based incentive plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, supplemental life and disability coverage, perquisites, special early retirement plans, severance plans and arrangements, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) aspects of deferred compensation plans, small-company versus large- company practices, publicly-traded company issues, executive compensation in the not-for-profit organization, executive compensation in the public sector, executive compensation in high- technology and start-up companies, compensation for division executives, compensation for temporary executives, US executives working overseas, compensation for boards of directors, executive compensation in banks, executive compensation practices during a restructuring, administration and communication of executive compensation, and trends in executive compensation. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Fundamentals of litigation for paralegals, 6th ed. (CD-ROM included)

Attorney Maerowitz presents the 6th edition of this text for paralegals on civil litigation principles. Topics covered include: the litigation process, informal fact gathering and investigation, case evaluation and strategy, parties and jurisdiction, pleadings, law and motions, motion practice, provisional remedies, evidence, discovery, settlements, and trial preparation and appeal. Updates mainly address electronic information and the role it plays in litigation. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Inside bankruptcy law; what matters and why.

Martin (law, U. of New Mexico) and lawyer Tama intend this book as an overview of bankruptcy law for students or practitioners of law and creditors' rights. Twenty concise chapters address consumer bankruptcies under chapters 7 and 13 and business reorganization under chapter 11, specifically covering: state collection law, the automatic stay, property of the debtor's estate, exemptions, claims against the estate, the avoiding powers, the discharge, cash collateral and post-petition financing, the debtor-in-possession's scope of authority and basic goals, and small business cases under chapter 11, among other topics. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Inside criminal law; what matters and why.

Burkoff (law, U. of Pittsburgh) and Weaver (law, U. of Louisville) provide a guide to criminal law for law and criminal justice students, criminal justice professionals in other countries, and other professionals and general readers in the US. They cover the concepts of criminal law and similarities and differences between the history, approach, application, and coverage of federal and state statutes across the US. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

International law, 5th ed.

Janis (U. of Connecticut School of Law; law, U. of Oxford) presents a revised edition of An Introduction to International Law, 4th ed. (2003), designed to provide both students beginning their law courses and general readers with an introduction to international law in its traditional public or interstate sense, as well as its private and commercial aspects. Offering an overview of the international legal rules and processes, and the role international law plays in international relations, the fifth edition includes coverage of recent U.S. Supreme Court cases on Garamendi, Sosa, Avena, Hamdi, Rasul, and Padilla; the rapidly expanding jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights; the Preemptive-War Doctrine and new problems and prospects in the law of war; and the Precautionary Principle in international environmental law. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The international lawyer's guide to legal analysis and communication in the United States.

Aimed at international lawyers and students who are from a different legal system, this textbook details the analysis and communication of the law in the US. McGregor and Adams (Indiana U. School of Law- Indianapolis) cover the US legal system, and legal writing and analysis, particularly objective analyses, letters, drafting contracts, citing legal resources, and exam-taking techniques. Research sources and techniques are not included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Legal writing.

Neumann (Hofstra U.) and Simon (Southern Illinois U.) have written this basic guide to legal writing to benefit law students and practitioners, using step-by-step instruction that focuses on being succinct and streamlined while writing briefs, motions and memos. The authors outline some of the more traditional examples of legal writing, and then encourage law students to enliven this text with storytelling and the CREAC principle (also known as The Paradigm). A companion website includes audio recordings of lectures on legal writing, as well as additional exercises, forms and printable checklists. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Problems and materials in federal income taxation, 7th ed.

Guerin (law, Arizona State U.) et al. provide a casebook on federal income tax law, focusing on major concepts and their underlying policies. They emphasize a problem-solving approach by incorporating many short questions throughout the text that focus on property transactions and their tax consequences. The introductory chapter gives an overview of the federal tax system, followed by the taxing formula, from gross income to rates and returns. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Products liability; problems and process, 6th ed.

Henderson (Cornell Law School) and Twerski (Brooklyn Law School, both New York) present this updated law text on cases and theory in American products liability. The chapters are organized under the general themes of: liability for manufacturing defects, liability for generic product risks, special problem areas, and institutional perspectives. Specific chapter topics include: manufacturers' strict liability for defect-caused harm, causation, liability for defective design or failure to warn, federal preemption, special elements of the plaintiff's recovery, adjusting the liability system to the demands of a national economy, and international perspectives on products liability. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Race, racism, and American law, 6th ed.

In this latest edition of a text first published in 1973, noted critical race theorist Bell (New York U. School of Law; formerly, Harvard, U. of Oregon schools of law) discusses American racism in historical and legal contexts. Following an overview of U.S. Black history from slavery to the Civil Rights Act, he traces efforts and cases to overcome discrimination in regard to schooling, criminal justice, employment, voting rights, housing, interracial relationships, and access to public facilities. He also confronts aspects of racial protests and racism toward other "nonwhites." The volume includes a chapter "racism hypos" or, in other words, hypothetical cases exploring the implications of particular positions; the black athletes' protest against racism at the 1968 Olympics; and a table of cases. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Real estate and property law for paralegals, 2d ed. (CD-ROM included)

This textbook for paralegal students covers real estate and property law. Bevans (Western Piedmont Community College) includes practical applications, example documents, and new material relating to the role of technology. This edition also comes with a new student workbook on the CD, new and updated examples and forms, and new cases. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Scott on multimedia law, 3d ed.; 2v. (CD-ROM included)

The third edition of this two-volume work has been substantially revised to reflect the changes of an especially dynamic industry. The full gamut of materials are provided, with introductory chapters on multimedia and the materials they incorporate and the basics of intellectual property rights, including copyright, litigation, and moral rights. A section is devoted to trade secrets and patents before turning to lengthy sections on tort law and contract law, with discussion of the right of publicity, the right of privacy, and unfair competition. Distribution agreements, licenses, releases, government regulation, guilds, unions, and trade associations are all thoroughly described. The work contains 60 forms (these are downloadable off the CD-ROM), extensive appendices, and a glossary. The work is published on loose-leaf pages in 3-ring binders. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Understanding the CISG; a compact guide to the 1980 United Nations Convention on Contracts for International Sale of Goods, 3d (worldwide) ed.

The first editions were regional, but here Lookofsky (law, U. of Copenhagen) provides a handbook for jurists in all the countries that have agreed to the Convention, though he still covers rules with special or regional significance. His topics include field of application and general provisions, obligations of the parties, remedies for breach, and the limitation period in international sales. It is a big world, he warns, and some lawyers, judges, and courts out there might disagree with some of his interpretations. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Unsettled international intellectual property issues.

Kongolo (World Intellectual Property Organization) examines and provides his own recommendations concerning major outstanding challenges in global intellectual property law. Topics addressed include the relationship between intellectual property and public health, intellectual property protection for traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, the implications of advances in biotechnology for intellectual property law, intellectual property on the Internet and the issue of territoriality, and challenges in regard to the protection of geographical indications at the international level. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)