A Layperson's Guide to Legal Research and Self-Help Law Books


Book Description

An essential guide to legal self-help literature by a leading authority in the field.With no previous legal background, you will be able to find books to answer your most frequently asked legalquestions. Many matters can be handled without hiring a lawyer, and this book will lead you to sources of expert advice on doing just that, and save you money in the process. It also weighs the pros and cons of hiring an attorney vs. representing oneself.Nearly 800 substantive reviews of self-help books and secondary sources. Each of the more than 85 legal specialty bibliographies contained in this unique reference tool is preceded by an invaluable introduction which lays out the nature of the law in that field and the sources of that law, whether constitutional, statutory, common law based, or regulatory, or some combination of these. Links to relevant web sites and research sites are also included, as well as a complete directory of public law libraries around the country.




Law 101


Book Description

A solid reference for both the everyday and the unexpected legal issues, written by practicing attorneys Law 101 is an essential reference that explains: How laws are made How the court system works How each area of the law impacts your daily life Key information for important questions: How does a lawsuit begin? How do civil and criminal law differ? When do state laws trump federal laws? What makes a contract solid? What can you expect if called as a juror? What can you expect if called as a witness? And other complex areas of the law that you need to know. No home reference shelf is complete without this indispensible guide. The new edition also includes information on legal subjects that have become more important recently, including alternative dispute resolution, privacy rights, and Internet law.




Legal Literacy


Book Description

To understand how the legal system works, students must consider the law in terms of its structures, processes, language, and modes of thought and argument—in short, they must become literate in the field. Legal Literacy fulfills this aim by providing a foundational understanding of key concepts such as legal personhood, jurisdiction, and precedent, and by introducing students to legal research and writing skills. Examples of cases, statutes, and other legal materials support these concepts. While Legal Literacy is an introductory text, it also challenges students to consider critically the system they are studying. Touching on significant socio-legal issues such as access to justice, legal jargon, and plain language, Zariski critiques common legal traditions and practices, and analyzes what it means “to think like a lawyer.” As such, the text provides a sound basis for those who wish to pursue further studies in law or legal studies as well as those seeking a better understanding of how the legal field relates to the society that it serves.




Open Access


Book Description

A concise introduction to the basics of open access, describing what it is (and isn't) and showing that it is easy, fast, inexpensive, legal, and beneficial. The Internet lets us share perfect copies of our work with a worldwide audience at virtually no cost. We take advantage of this revolutionary opportunity when we make our work “open access”: digital, online, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. Open access is made possible by the Internet and copyright-holder consent, and many authors, musicians, filmmakers, and other creators who depend on royalties are understandably unwilling to give their consent. But for 350 years, scholars have written peer-reviewed journal articles for impact, not for money, and are free to consent to open access without losing revenue. In this concise introduction, Peter Suber tells us what open access is and isn't, how it benefits authors and readers of research, how we pay for it, how it avoids copyright problems, how it has moved from the periphery to the mainstream, and what its future may hold. Distilling a decade of Suber's influential writing and thinking about open access, this is the indispensable book on the subject for researchers, librarians, administrators, funders, publishers, and policy makers.




Louisiana Legal Research


Book Description

This book is written to assist attorneys, law students, paralegals, librarians, and others in researching legal materials effectively and efficiently. While focused on Louisiana law, the book provides the reader with information necessary to research federal law as well as the law of other jurisdictions. The book is user-friendly, providing information about legal research in a straightforward, practical format. The book is a must for anyone conducting legal research in Louisiana and is an excellent guide for legal research novices. In addition to discussing research techniques, sources, and strategies, the book explains the primary legal traditions in the United States and the basic structure of court systems in the United States. Against this backdrop, the book highlights the unique characteristics of the Louisiana legal system, including the State's reliance on the Civil Code, statutory law, and the value of precedent in Louisiana. The book also provides specific information on both electronic and print sources for locating law and gives guidance to the researcher on which sources are most efficiently used to research various types of information. The book touches on strategies for presenting legal arguments and provides information on citing legal sources in accordance with Louisiana custom as well as The Bluebook and the ALWD Guide to Legal Citation. The book even provides its readers with a bit of lagniappe (lanyap), a word used in Louisiana to mean something extra or an unexpected gift. Louisiana lagniappe text boxes found throughout the book provide readers with interesting, historical facts relevant to the sources being discussed. This book is part of the Legal Research Series, edited by Suzanne E. Rowe, Director of Legal Research and Writing, University of Oregon School of Law.




Make Your Own Living Trust


Book Description

A do-it-yourself manual for making your own living trust, with checklists, step-by-step procedures, worksheets, and forms.




The New Lawyer's Handbook


Book Description

101 Success Strategies They Didn't Teach You in Law School - get expert advice on becoming a better lawyer. While law school taught you the fundamentals, The New Lawyer's Handbook is your indispensable companion, unveiling 101 insider tips and tricks that will elevate your legal career from good to outstanding! The New Lawyer's Handbook provides: Real-world Wisdom: Gain practical insights from seasoned legal professionals who have navigated the trenches and emerged victorious. Learn from their experiences and avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the most promising careers. Expert Strategies: Master the art of effective communication, negotiation, and advocacy with powerful techniques honed by top attorneys. Develop your unique style and stand out in the courtroom and boardroom. Building a Winning Network: Discover the secrets to cultivating a robust professional network that opens doors to exciting opportunities and accelerates your growth within the legal community. Balancing Work and Life: Achieve a harmonious work-life balance by implementing time management skills and self-care practices that boost productivity and prevent burnout. Legal Research and Writing: Unleash the full potential of your legal research and writing prowess with cutting-edge resources and best practices. Craft persuasive arguments and draft impeccable legal documents that leave a lasting impact. Mastering Client Relationships: Learn how to foster trust, understanding, and empathy with clients. Deliver exceptional service that forges strong bonds, ensuring client loyalty and referrals. Navigating Career Advancement: Propel your career forward with guidance on seeking mentors, obtaining promotions, and excelling in your chosen legal field. From courtroom etiquette to mastering legal software, The New Lawyer's Handbook equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to conquer the legal world. With an abundance of actionable advice and expert guidance, this book is the ultimate roadmap for launching and flourishing in your legal career.




Butterworths Legal Research Guide


Book Description

Butterworths Legal Research Guide is designed to guide readers through the difficulties of legal research. It provides a narrative, procedural text for those undertaking legal research courses together with a troubleshooting glossary to the problems that may be encountered in practice. This book takes full account throughout of EC materials. which are treated alongside English materials, together with all the latest human rights materials.




Model Rules of Professional Conduct


Book Description

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.




Standards for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid


Book Description