This document provides an overview of legal encyclopedias as secondary sources for researching the law. It defines primary and secondary sources, explains why legal encyclopedias are useful for gaining a broad overview or more in-depth analysis of an unfamiliar topic, and how they cite to primary authority. It describes the basic format and contents of legal encyclopedias including main volumes, indexes, entries with footnotes, and pocket parts. The document demonstrates how to search for information in print and electronic legal encyclopedias using general indexes, tables of contents, and keyword searches. It stresses analyzing and fact-checking entries along with finding additional sources.

1. Legal EncyclopediasA Crash Course Stephanie A. Huffnagle

2. Review of primary sources/authority The law Binding on courts Examples Court cases Statutes Administrative rules & regulations

3. What is a secondary source? Persuasive authority Summary, analysis & critique of the law User-friendly language Cross references to primary authority

4. Examples of Secondary Sources Legal Encyclopedias Treatises & Hornbooks Legal Periodicals Restatements American Law Reports

5. Why should you consult a secondary source? Unfamiliarity with topic Broad overview (e.g. encyclopedia) In-depth analysis (e.g. treatise) Persuasive Cross reference to primary authority

6. What are Legal Encyclopedias? Broad overview Summary of law References to primary sources

7. Types of Legal Encyclopedias National American Jurisprudence 2d Corpus JurisSecundum State New York Jurisprudence 2d Subject Specific Encyclopedia of the American Constitution

8. Basic Format of a Legal Encyclopedia Main volumes Table of contents Detailed general index Various Tables Entries include narrative text with footnotes Pocket parts and/or replacement volumes

9. Before searching… Print vs. electronic National or State-specific?

10. The Fact Pattern

11. Searching a Legal Encyclopedia General index Table of Contents Entries Pocket parts With electronic editions, browse the table of contents or perform a keyword search

12. Example: NY Jur 2d (print)

13. Example: Am Jur 2d (electronic) Westlaw

14. The Next Step… Analyze entry Locate primary authority Find additional secondary sources Narrow or expand your search

15. Review So what did we learn?

16. Wrap-up Worksheet due next class Next time – more secondary sources Any questions?

17. References Putman, W. H. (2008). Pocket guide to legal research. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning. Gibson, E. M. (2004). Gibson’s New York legal research guide (3rd ed.).Buffalo, NY: W.S. Hein.