Chapter 3
The Courts and Legal Personnel
The United States Federal Courts
Supreme Court
U.S. Supreme Court
Appellate Courts
U.S. Courts of Appeals
Trial Courts
U.S. District Courts
12 Regional Circuit Courts of Appeals
1 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit
94 Judicial Districts
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
U.S. Court of International Trade
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Military Courts (Trial and Appellate)
Court of Veterans Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
Federal Administrative Agencies and
Boards
Federal Courts and Other
Entities Outside the
Judicial Branch
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Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.
The U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is primarily a court of review
that exercises appellate jurisdiction
It hears cases from the lower federal courts.
It will hear cases that originate in the state courts
if the case involves constitutional issues or a
question of federal law.
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© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.
The Legal Community
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Judges
Lawyers
Paralegals
Legal Support Staff
Court Personnel
Agency Personnel
Criminal Justice Personnel
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© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.
Legal Support Staff
Legal Secretaries
Law Clerks
Paralegals
Case Assistants
Case Clerks
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© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.
Court Personnel
Judges
 Court Clerks
 Court Reporters
 Bailiffs
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Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.
Ethical Responsibilities for Lawyers
and Staff
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Fiduciary Duty
Confidentiality
Competency
Conflict of Interest
Attorney Fees and Trust Accounts
Diligence
Communication with Opposing Parties
Unauthorized Practice of Law
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Hames and Ekern
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© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.