PAL 101 - Legal Research and Writing

Credits: 3
3 Lecture Hours

Description
An introduction to legal research. Students learn to use legal research tools such as indexes, digest, encyclopedias, treatises, annotated reports, restatements, and law reviews. The West key number system and Shepard’s citations are taught. In addition, students learn how to do cite and proof checking of legal citations in briefs and other documents.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

Function efficiently at the paralegal level.
Perform legal research manually and using electronic systems.
Be exposed to the tools available to a lawyer to ascertain the law.
Effectively utilize legal tools.
Possess the confidence to utilize a law library of any size.

Listed Topics

Introduction to Legal Research
The Legal Research Process
Court Reports
Federal Court Decisions
State Court Decisions and the National Reporter System
Legislation Forms
Digests for Court Reports
Annotated Law Reports
Constitutions
Federal Legislation
Federal Legislation Histories
State and Municipal Legislation
Court Rules and Procedures
Administrative Law
Loose-leaf Services
Shepard’s Citations
Legal Encyclopedias
Legal Periodicals and Indexes
Treatises, Restatements, Model Codes and Uniform Laws
Other Research Aids
English Legal Research
Federal Tax Research
International Law
Computer Assisted Legal Research and Micro-text

Reference Materials
Contemporary texts, software and appropriate A-V materials.

Approved By: Kingsmore, John Date Approved: 05/21/1990

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PAL 101 - Legal Research and Writing