Authors: William H. Putman
ISBN-13: 9781428357013, ISBN-10: 1428357017
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Date Published: October 2009
Edition: 2nd Edition
William Putman received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law and has been a member of the New Mexico Bar since 1975. For ten years he was an instructor in the Legal Assistant Studies Program at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Paralegal Studies Program at Santa Fe Community College, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
This text is a rare and in-depth teaching tool covering every phase of the legal research process, including how to avoid wasted time and duplication of effort. Multiple examples, illustrations, and more assignments based on real life cases are contained in the text aiding in the instructor's teaching and the student's understanding of the concepts and principles taught in the chapters. The clearly presented, step-by-step treatment of material ensures that readers will understand all the facts, insights and knowledge presented to conduct effective and efficient legal research. A list of web sites complements the books content.
Ch. 1 | Introduction to legal principles and authorities and the research process | 1 |
Ch. 2 | The role of key terms and key facts in legal research | 25 |
Ch. 3 | Issue identification - spotting the issue | 47 |
Ch. 4 | Constitutions, statutes, administrative law, and court rules - research and analysis | 71 |
Ch. 5 | Case law - research and briefing | 119 |
Ch. 6 | Case law analysis - is a case on point? | 153 |
Ch. 7 | Secondary authority and other research sources - encyclopedias, treatises, American law reports, digests, Shepard's | 174 |
Ch. 8 | Secondary authority - periodicals, restatements, uniform laws, dictionaries, legislative history, and other secondary authorities | 224 |
Ch. 9 | Computer and Internet research | 261 |
Ch. 10 | Fee-based Internet research | 279 |
Ch. 11 | Legal citation | 320 |
Ch. 12 | Counteranalysis | 359 |
Ch. 13 | The research process for effective legal research | 378 |
App. A | Legal research memorandum | 406 |
App. B | Research source chart | 411 |
App. C | Court opinions referred to in the text | 413 |