Legal Studies Chapter 1, SMART Goals, and Ethics Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering legal roles, professional organizations, court personnel, and ethical concepts from Chapter 1 review notes.

Attorney

Another word for lawyer.

Legal Assistant

Another word for paralegal.

Becoming a Lawyer

Requires completing a 4 years undergraduate degree, 3 years law school, and passing the state bar exam.

CLE

Continuing Legal Education, taken by lawyers to keep current on the laws.

American Bar Association

The national professional legal organization for lawyers.

Ohio Bar Association

The state professional legal organization for lawyers in Ohio.

NALA

National Association for Legal Assistants.

PLS

Professional Legal Secretary.

SMART

Acronym representing Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.

LLP

Limited liability partnership.

Prosecutor

Also known as the District attorney.

Independent or Freelance Paralegals

Paralegals who do not work in a single law office and offer services to many attorneys.

Law Clerks

Law students interning or working while attending school whose main responsibilities are legal research and preparation of legal memorandums.

Document Coders

Position responsible for reading and extracting information from documentary evidence and entering it into a computerized database.

Calendar Clerk

Person responsible for scheduling court appearances, client appointments, filing dates, and recording office events.

Court Personnel

The four groups that make up court personnel: judges, court clerks, court reporters, and bailiffs.

Quasi-Judicial Judge

An official who assists the judge, hears only certain matters, has limited judicial functions, and does not have the same authority of regular judges.

Court Clerk (Clerk of Court)

Court personnel who mark evidence as Exhibit A, Exhibit B and bring evidence into the courtroom when appropriate.

Court Reporter

Individual licensed by the state after passing a difficult exam who uses a stenographic machine in the courtroom.

Bailiff

Court staff member who maintains safety and order within the courtroom.

Agency Personnel

Government agencies or offices that assist the legal community but don't require attorneys, such as Secretary of State, Securities and Exchange Commission, DMV, State boards to regulate workers' compensation, State Dept of Real Estate, and state consumer agencies.

Fiduciary Duty

An ethical responsibility that demonstrates the highest degree of trust & care with the client.

Confidentiality

Privileged communication between a lawyer & client that cannot be used in a court of law unless a client confesses he/she plans to attempt a future crime.