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.
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.
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William H. Putman
William Putman is a lawyer and former instructor in the programs for Legal Assistant Studies at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque and Paralegal Studies at Santa Fe Community College. A member of the New Mexico Bar since 1975, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
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Jennifer Albright
Jennifer Albright was an instructor and the director of the paralegal studies and judicial studies programs at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque. She is currently an adjunct faculty member in legal assistant studies at Phoenix College and a professor of practice at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. Professor Albright received her Juris Doctor degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law and her L.L.M. from Arizona State University. She a been a member of the New Mexico Bar since 1999.
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Research Updates: Revisions to chapters 3 through 8 offer the latest discussions about popular online and electronic sources, including Shepard’s Citations® and KeyCite® for validating research and citations, as well as using non-commercial websites to conduct primary and secondary legal research.
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Practice Support: More exhibits, examples, and assignments in chapters 3 through 8 help readers spot, understand, and analyze the legal issues more clearly.
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Legal Hypotheticals: Chapter-starting hypotheticals raise key legal questions, then require students to leverage chapter content to understand the issue’s relevance in the law and the real world.
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Clear Readings: Full discussion of every topic and an approachable, easy-to-read format helps those with limited exposure to the law grasp legalese, the court system, research and validation approaches, analysis of findings, writing formats, and other ideas that are unique to the practice of law.
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Chapter Features: Lists of key points in the readings keep readers focused on the issues and chapter-ending assignments help them recall new principles and techniques. Adding yet another layer of reinforcement, examples after every important principle help readers retain and internalize concepts for the long-term.
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