Legal Research and Writing / Edition 5

by William P. Statsky

Overview

Legal Research and Writing, Fifth Edition provides a basic introduction to legal research and writing. The book covers the variety of media formats in which modern legal research is performed. This includes traditional hard cover and pamphlet volumes. In addition, the book covers online research through commercial databases and CD-ROM, and microform formats such as ultrafiche. The writing chapters introduce the reader to letter writing, the memorandum of law, the appellate brief, and writing fundamentals needed when preparing any kind of document.

Features:

• A list of key terms is included in each chapter of the legal research section to aid in comprehension
• Extensive information on conducting legal research on the Internet as well as online through commercial databases and CD-ROMS
• Comprehensive charts that list and define all ten categories of law are used throughout the chapters of the legal research section and are perfect for reference
• Writing samples are provided for letters, memoranda of law, and portions of appellate briefs as a guide for the reader
• Writing assignments give the reader practice in applying the writing concepts covered in the chapters

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900314129016
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	10/13/1998
Series:	Paralegal Series
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

William Statsky has been is a member of the ethics committee and the advisory council for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and a member of the Certifying Board of the National Association of Legal Assistants. He has taught at Columbia Law School, UCLA School of Law, Antioch School of Law and Thomas Edison State College and is the author of numerous groundbreaking legal textbooks for paralegals. He was a member of the transition team for then-President-Elect Ronald Reagan. Mr. Statsky holds a master of law degree (LL.M.) in urban affairs as well as a juris doctorate degree (J.D.).

Table of Contents

PART I: LEGAL RESEARCH: Preliminary Considerations. Catagories of Law and Research Materials. Defining Research Materials: An Introductory Overview. Authority in Research and Writing. Citation Form. Components of Many Law Books. The CARTWHEEL and Other Index Search Systems. The First Level of Legal Research: Background. Checklists for Using Nine Major Search Resources. Case Law. Statutory Law. Other Primary Authority. Computer Research. Validations-TheThird Level of Research: Ending Your Research. PART II: LEGAL WRITING: Letter Writing. Memorandum of Law. Appellate Brief. APPENDIES: A. State Legal Research Reference. B. Case Law on the Internet. C. Court Opinions for Assignments. D. Usage Guidelines for Formal Writing. GLOSSARY. INDEX.