Major research platforms such as Westlaw, Fastcase, and Lexis have go-to lawyers to help you with your research. Reference support is often free, so if you`re really stuck in your research, don`t keep banging your head against a wall – ask for help! These lawyers are professional legal researchers and have a lot of experience to share. There are a variety of great tools to help you with this process. If you use Westlaw or Lexis, their top notes can be a very good starting point for understanding some of the legal terminology on a particular topic. If you use Fastcase, you`ll see a tag cloud with your results suggesting search terms to add or remove so you can narrow down your first search. Once you`ve familiarized yourself with your case and defined your goals, take steps to ensure your research process is orderly and organized. Instead of spending hours researching, Statutes Compare allows you to quickly see how a law has changed over time. By going back to your research, you can come up with new ideas or find that you`ve reached the point where it`s time to stop researching and start writing. In any case, breaks can clear your mind and prepare you to search again effectively. Always gather the most important facts so you know “who, what, why, when, where and how” of your case. And take the time to write everything down, especially since you`ll probably need to include a statement of facts in any filing or briefing anyway.
Even if you don`t think a fact might be relevant now, write it down because it may turn out to be relevant later. These facts will also be helpful in identifying your legal problem. Don`t forget to take breaks to ask for help and find out when you`re done. With the right approach, legal research is less intimidating than you think. Speaking of which: Congratulations, you`re done! If you plan to use an online database or search engines for your search, leverage the details and goals you identified in your initial analysis to develop a handful of specific search terms and key phrases. For example, let`s say you have questions about Texas copyright law. In this case, your search query may consist of a few keywords such as “copyright infringement” and “Texas law”. Using specific terms in your searches makes it easier to find the most relevant results. Before you start researching laws and court opinions, you must first define the scope of your legal research project.
There are several key questions you can use to do this. Planning ahead and generating search terms increases the value of the time you actually spend searching. Brainstorming and recording different terms will keep your search up to date and focused, resulting in a better end product. The best legal technology conferences will help you network, learn about the latest industry trends, and advance your practice. Read. Don`t bother looking for every little nuance and detail when you`ve just started researching. Instead, keep your main goal in mind and let it guide you as you begin to analyze and comment on cases, articles, and other documents. It can be helpful to write a one-sentence mission statement for your research to help you keep track of your intentions. One of the most important steps in any legal research project is to verify that you are applying a “good” law, that is, that a court has not declared it invalid or struck down in any way. After all, it probably won`t be good for a judge if you cite a case that has been overturned or if you use a law that has been found unconstitutional. This does not necessarily mean that you can never cite these sources; You just need to take a closer look before you do. Whether you`re a student still in law school or a seasoned lawyer with years of experience, strong research skills are essential to making a winning argument.
That`s why it`s so important to know how to conduct legal research, including where to start and what steps to take. When doing legal research, a good rule of thumb is to try to tap into many different types of sources. When conducting your study, consider referring to a mix of primary sources, such as the original case and testimony, as well as secondary sources, such as commentaries, dictionaries, and newspapers. By doing so, you collect more comprehensive information that is supported by various authorities. When it comes to online search, some people start with free legal search options, including search engines like Google or Bing. However, if you want to make sure your legal research is complete, consider using an online search service designed specifically for the law, such as Westlaw. Online solutions like Westlaw not only have all the legal sources you need, but they also include artificial intelligence (AI) and other tools to help you do your legal research quickly. Of course, legal research is expensive and you may be limited to the resources paid for by your company. He is indeed a wealthy lawyer who can afford West, Lexis, Fastcase and Bloomberg at the same time.
If you work at a large law firm, it may not be a problem for you to stay within your provider`s plan, but many legal research providers sell plans that are limited in scope – they include access to certain jurisdictions, but charge extra for more. This is perfectly fine if you`re primarily looking in one jurisdiction or jurisdiction, but be careful! Some search platforms charge a high additional fee on your bill if you see something that isn`t included in your contract. Don`t cast your net too far when it comes to legal research, i.e. you should focus on the relevant jurisdiction. For example, does your case deal with federal or state law? And if it is the law of the state, which state? You may find a case in California state court that goes straight to the point, but it won`t be much help if your legal project involves New York law. If you really can`t afford to use multiple sources, don`t despair! Legal research providers are increasingly aware of algorithmic bias issues and are taking steps to address the issue. And while you can certainly still use the library if you want, you`ll likely cost yourself valuable time if you do. Optimize your next case by following these tips for the most effective legal research.
There`s no denying that legal research can be an overwhelming process. However, taking such steps to increase your efficiency and manage your time will help you handle even the most demanding research-related tasks. You can`t think of legal research as a hunt for a pot of gold. In many cases, you simply won`t find the exact jurisdiction or law you`re looking for. If you feel like you can`t watch anymore, you probably can`t. Take advantage of what you`ve found and write the best RAIC possible. Brock Foley is a 3L at Brigham Young University School of Law. He currently works as an intern at Fastcase. He was drawn to legal technology because he was interested in bridging the justice gap and improving access to justice. His belief that the law should be used to help those in need led him to volunteer with public advocates and CARA. Black`s Law Dictionary defines legal research as “the research and gathering of authorities related to a legal question.” But what does that really mean? Essentially, this means that legal research is the process you use to identify and find laws, including laws, regulations, and court notices, that apply to the subject matter of your case. The easiest way to find out if something is still a good law is to use a legal tool known as a Citator, which will show you subsequent cases where your source has been cited, as well as any negative stories, including whether they have been overturned, overturned, questioned, or simply differentiated.
If you can`t share your problem with a referring lawyer, seek help from other lawyers in your firm or a trusted mentor or colleague. A fresh set of eyes, unique experiences, and a different mindset are sure to help if you feel stuck in your legal research. Wherever you are, there are probably people willing to help you. What for? Because secondary sources give you a complete overview of legal issues, so you don`t have to start your research from scratch. After secondary sources, you can move on to primary law sources. There are several ways to save your work. While you can write your thoughts manually on paper, you can also use a CRM or document management system to digitally track your work in one place. Regardless of the method used, the best search logging methods typically include recording the date, keywords, process, and follow-ups required for each source found.