Introduction to Legal Research and Writing


Book Description

"Intended for pre-law and paralegal students, this second edition is a revised and refreshed version of the successful first edition of Introduction to Legal Research and Writing, with updated legal research exercises throughout. This book is designed to be the only one the student and the professor need for legal research and legal writing. It is designed to provide a clear explanation of basic information, with exercises to give the student the necessary practice in researching and writing and accompanying sample legal writing documents. The text is user friendly and readable while balancing the need for detail. Each chapter covers only a manageable amount of material for someone who has not previously studied the law. The objectives of the legal research portion of the book teach the student how to competently perform legal research in the law library and online, use correct citation form, and understand the fundamentals of legal research. The objectives of the legal writing portion of the book are to explain the fundamentals of legal analysis and writing, teach the student how to communicate clearly, and demonstrate how to eliminate mechanical errors. The appendices provide additional information that the instructor can incorporate into the class as needed. For example, Appendix B, "Locating and Citing to Cases," can be covered in conjunction with Chapter 4, and Appendix C, "Rules for Quotations and Short Form Citations," can be introduced when students are completing legal writing assignments"--







Introduction to Legal Research Method and Legal Writing


Book Description

The book is written in a conversational style, and the language is accessible and simple, with flowing examples that users can relate with. Practical legal questions are raised and application of individual research methods, strategies, approaches and philosophies are demonstrated. The book starts with a clear definition of legal research method to justification and importance. It spans the research process, theoretical positions and justification for research, the writing up process and the defence of research output either in seminars, conferences or for PhD defence. It also prepares researchers and academicians for discussion and interaction with peers at conferences and seminars.




Sources of Law


Book Description

The Round Hall Guide to Sources of Law: An Introduction to Legal Research and Writing




New York Legal Research


Book Description

"This book provides an alternative to the excellent, but often lengthy, legal research books that take a bibliographic approach to this dynamic lawyering skill. The goal of the third edition is to explore concisely both the sources of New York state law and the process of conducting research using those sources. New to the third edition is a greater emphasis on online sources and performing online research. The book begins with an overview of the legal research process and an introduction to research techniques using online media. Then the book turns to secondary sources, recognizing these sources as the entry point for most new research projects. Next, New York Legal Research addresses primary authority, with chapters dedicated to case law, enacted law (statutes, constitutions, local law, and court rules), and administrative law. Additional chapters cover legislative history, free and commercial updating tools, legal ethics research, New York City law, and research strategies and organization. An appendix explains legal citation by New York courts following the New York Law Reports Style Manual"--




Legal Research and Writing


Book Description

"Legal Research and Writing, Third Edition" seeks to explain the practical skills needed for print and online legal research and for legal writing. It provides a current and comprehensive look at the topic, consolidating information on legal research and writing into one handy, easy-to-use resource. The book is written for both seasoned practitioners, seeking to add the latest sources and techniques to their research arsenals, and for beginning law students who face a bewildering array of information. It includes chapters on legal research malpractice, the acquisition of research resources, and knowledge management. In addition, it covers searching the new platforms of the major proprietary online legal databases, the increasing digitization of legal materials, and the Web 2.0. "Legal Research and Writing" is the most up-to-date book of its kind available in Canada today.




Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing for International Graduate Students


Book Description

Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing for International Graduate Students, Fifth Edition, helps international students understand and approach legal reasoning and writing the way law students and attorneys do in the United States. With concise and clear text, Professor Nedzel introduces the unique and important features of the American legal system and American law schools. Using clear instruction, examples, visual aids, and practice exercises, she teaches practical lawyering skills with sensitivity to the challenges of ESL students. New to the Fifth Edition: Streamlined presentation makes the material even more accessible. Chapters are short, direct, and to the point. Five chapters on reasoning and writing, including exam skills, office memos, and rewriting. Full chapters on contract drafting and scholarly writing. New flowcharts provide a concise, visual overview for each chapter. Citation coverage updated to new 21st edition of The Bluebook. Simplified examples and exercises. Three thoroughly revised chapters on legal research, including non-fee legal research and technological changes in the practice of U.S. law. Professors and student will benefit from: Comparative perspective informs readers about the unique features of American law as compared to civil law, Islamic law, and Asian traditions. Explanations of practical skills assume no former knowledge of the American legal system. U.S. law school necessary skills explained immediately: case briefing, creating a course outline, time management, reading citations, and writing answers to hypothetical exam questions. Short, lucid chapters that reiterate major points to aid comprehension. Clear introductions to writing hypothetical-based exams, legal memoranda, contract drafting and scholarly writing. An integrated approach to proper citation format, with explanation and instruction provided in context. Discussion of plagiarism and U.S. law school honor codes. Practical skill-building exercises in each chapter. Research exercises are primarily Internet-based Charts and summaries that are useful learning aids and reference tools




Ohio Legal Research


Book Description

Ohio Legal Research provides a concise introduction to Ohio-specific primary authorities and research tools for readers new to legal research or new to researching Ohio law. Ohio Legal Research introduces federal resources alongside their Ohio counterparts, which makes the text useful for an introductory research course that covers both state and federal research. Written with the understanding that research is best learned by practice, this book offers succinct explanation to guide the novice without including so much as to overwhelm. The updated second edition incorporates recent changes to the major electronic research platforms, while maintaining a process focus that will help the reader no matter which platform is available. Updated web addresses also point the researcher to many materials available for free online, including the recently adopted, official electronic reporting system for Ohio case law. Ohio Legal Research includes a fully revised chapter on citation that teaches basic citation form using the major citation manuals and, perhaps most significant to the Ohio practitioner, the recently overhauled Ohio Manual of Citations. 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.




The Lawyer's Craft


Book Description

For as long as legal writing courses have existed, students have been given large quantities of information all at once. They are then expected to digest it in one large gulp and to "do it." The Lawyer's Craft takes a different approach. The authors of this innovative book take the specific skills required to write a memo or brief and divided them into discrete "building blocks" that can be more easily absorbed by students. The approach to drafting legal documents is highly structured to enable students to see how different parts fit together. Memos and briefs are divided into parts and organized into a required format. The format also provides students with a checklist to consult when constructing legal documents. The Lawyer's Craft recognizes that skills must be practiced to be learned. No matter how carefully students read the text and discuss it in class, they will not be able to learn the material until they actually put it to work. For this reason, The Lawyer's Craft includes numerous examples and exercises. The level of difficulty of the examples and exercises is gradually increased, allowing students to master the basics before moving on to nuances and exceptions. A Teacher's Manual is available to professors.




Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing


Book Description

LEGAL RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND WRITING, 4/e fully integrates the basics of legal research, analysis, and writing, bringing together all the basic knowledge and tools students need to research and analyze a legal problem and communicate the results in diverse forms of legal memoranda. It provides many highly realistic research and writing exercises, as well as new tools designed to help students become more effective writers. Throughout, it clarifies the interrelationships among legal research, analysis, and writing, enabling students to experience the total process as it is performed in practice. Reflecting today's new realities, this edition also contains extensive new coverage of Internet-based research on both free and fee-based sites.