2. •Session Overview
Objectives and Goals
Legal Researching
The Scientific Approach
Legal Research Checklists
Planning and Researching
Conclusion
Pulling it all Together
Item 1
Components of Effective Legal Research
Creating a Plan
Item 2
Item 5
Item 3
Item 4
Overview of Sources of Law
Looking in the right place
3. Science and the Law?
1. According to the
Merriam-Webster
dictionary scientific is
defined as “done in an
organized way that
agrees with the
methods and principles
of science.”
2. Avoid approaching
legal research as an
artistic expression of
ideals and norms.
3. Utilizing legal reasoning
to guide the legal
research path. “
4. The legal research path
in a sense is a story
board but must also
follow conventional
methods to extract
truth to support claims.
5. Solid legal research
minimizes doubt to its
smallest part.
4. • Define the Issue
• Determine the various
aspects of the issue
• Parties involved
• Relief to be sought
• Potential claims and
defenses
• Places and things
involved in the problem
• Create strong key words
• Determine your research
path
• Do you know the
controlling jurisdiction?
• Do you have any
citations to relevant
primary authority?
•Effective Legal Research
Piecing the puzzle together
6. DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE PLAN
• Obtain Preliminary
Information on the Problem
• Write Out a Plan
• Work Effectively
• Keep effective notes.
• Stop researching when
your research has come
full circle.
• Find help if you need it
• If too much material
narrow the problem.
• Secondary Source Research
• Research with Citators
• Statutory Research
• Federal Legislative History
Research
• Federal Administrative Law
Research
• Subject-Matter Service
Research
• Electronic Legal Research
RESEARCH SOURCES
•Legal Research Checklists
Planning and Researching
