Full Description
Be the "go to" paralegal at your firm with the fourth edition of LEGAL RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND WRITING! This book shows you how to conduct reliable legal research, analyze the results, and write clear memoranda and other legal documents that are on-point and well supported. In addition to an easy-to-read format, this student favorite offers hypothetical scenarios, examples, and exercises that clarify the important work paralegals do every day to help law offices and legal departments run smoothly. Of course, the fourth edition offers the latest updates, with special attention to the electronic legal research tools common today. And, to add to your success, optional MindTap tools cater to your personal learning style with interactive quizzing, flashcards, and practice assignments that help you build momentum and confidence quickly.
Contents
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH, ANALYTICAL PRINCIPLES, AND THE LEGAL PROCESS.
1. Introduction to Legal Principles and Authorities.
2. Introduction to Legal Research and Analysis.
PART II: LEGAL RESEARCH.
3. Constitutions, Statutes, Administrative Law, and Court Rules—Research and Analysis.
4. Case Law—Research and Briefing.
5. Secondary Authority and Other Research Sources—Encyclopedias, Treatises, American Law Reports, Digests, Shepard's.
6. Secondary Authority—Periodicals, Restatements, Uniform Laws, Dictionaries, Legislative History, and Other Secondary Authorities.
7. Computers and Internet Legal Research.
8. Commercial Internet Research.
PART III: THE SPECIFICS OF LEGAL ANALYSIS.
9. Legal Analysis—Key Facts.
10. Legal Analysis—Issue Identification (Spotting the Issue).
11. Legal Analysis—Stating the Issue.
12. Case Law Analysis—Is a Case on Point?
13. Counteranalysis.
PART IV: LEGAL WRITING.
14. Fundamentals of Writing.
15. The Writing Process for Effective Legal Writing.
16. Office Legal Memorandum: Issues and Facts.
17. Office Legal Memorandum: Analysis to Conclusion.
18. External Memoranda: Court Briefs.
19. Correspondence.
Appendix A: Court Opinions Referred to in the Text.
Appendix B: Appellate Court Brief.
Glossary.
Index.
