Presentation given at Golden Gate University School of Law\u27s MCLE  Beat the Clock  event, January 28, 2012

Pesetsky, Jennifer

English

Golden Gate University School of Law: Digital Commons

Golden Gate University School of LawGGU Law Digital CommonsPresentations & Papers Law Library1-28-2012(At Least!) 30 Research Tips in 60 MinutesJennifer PesetskyGolden Gate University School of Law, jpesetsky@ggu.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/presentationsPart of the Legal Education CommonsThis Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Library at GGU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion inPresentations & Papers by an authorized administrator of GGU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact jfischer@ggu.edu.Recommended CitationPesetsky, Jennifer, "(At Least!) 30 Research Tips in 60 Minutes" (2012). Presentations & Papers. Paper 6.http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/presentations/6(At Least!) 30 Research Tips in 60 MinutesJennifer PesetskyJ.D., M.L.I.SGoogle – www.google.comUsing Google Advanced Operators https://sites.google.com/site/gwebsearcheducation/advanced-operatorsMy Favorite Advanced OperatorsInfo:www.ggu.eduGet information about a website.info:legal research filetype:pptOnly finds documents of a particular type.filetype:1099 site:www.irs.govSearch only one website.site:stocks:googFind the current stock price.stocks:define voir direGives definitions.definecalifornia AROUND(5) probateFinds the two terms within a certain number of words of each other.term1 AROUND(5) term2Example?What does it mean?OperatorGoogle Alerts –www.google.com/alertsGoogle Scholar -http://scholar.google.com/California Local Codes and Charters-http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/cagovdocs/calcodes.htmlHow Laws are MadeSource: leginfo.ca.govWhat Makes up a Legislative History? Bill  Committee Prints  Hearings Committee Reports Debates Presidential Messages and Signing StatementsThomas – thomas.loc.govState of California - ca.govCalifornia Cases -http://courts.ca.gov/opinions.htmOffice of Administrative Law -http://www.oal.ca.gov/CCR.htmLegal Information Institute (LII) –www.law.cornell.eduLaw Library of Congress –www.loc.gov/law/GPO’s Federal Digital System -http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/US Code from the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the United States House of Representatives -http://143.231.180.80/browse.xhtmlReference USAReference USA is not a free database.  But, you can access it, free of charge to you, through the San Francisco Public Library, or GGU’s main library databases.BRB -http://www.publicrecordsources.com/Searching is free.  If you want to buy a report, those cost anywhere from $1 - $40.Hein OnlineHein Online is not a free database.  But, you can access it, free of charge to you, through GGU (if you are a member), Hastings and/or other libraries.Way Back Machine – www.archive.orgWhoIs -www.networksolutions.com/whoisWatch That PageHow do Search Engines Differ?Zimmerman’s -http://law.lexisnexis.com/infopro/zimmermans/Wikipedia – www.wikipedia.orgLaw Library Resource Xchange (LLRX) – www.llrx.comIs Your Source Current? If you’re working with print resources, make sure to check your pocket parts and/or supplements. If you’re working with an electronic resource, make sure you know when it was most recently updated.Secondary Sources If you are working in an area of law you aren’t accustomed to, start with a secondary source.Commentary on the law or a description of the law (Witkin, Rutter Guides, AmJur, CalJur…)A statement of the law itself (case law, regulations and statutes.)Secondary SourcePrimary AuthoritySwitch Gears If your research isn’t moving in the right direction after 10 minutes of concentrated effort, re-think your search strategy.– Re-state the issue.– Look to other research sources.– Reconsider the legal theory.– Is this a matter of first impression?Precedent Is the case you are relying on still good law? Has the case you are relying on been influential?  Have other cases relied upon it?Unpublished DecisionsUse unpublished decisions to understand how a court ruled on those particular facts at that particular time.Use unpublished decisions to help you craft your own arguments.Don’t cite unpublished decisions in California State Courts (California Rules of Court 8.1115)DoDon’tWhy is good research important? Competent Representation Credibility!  If a portion of your research is faulty, Judges and other Attorneys may not believe the rest of your work.Customization If you use Westlaw or Lexis, customize them to save you time. Add tabs that you use often (eg: California, tax law).Smart Phone Apps Fastcase – Free app containing federal and state cases and statutes.  User needs to create a login. LawStack – Free app with the US Constitution and Federal Rules. Black’s Law Dictionary - $54.99.   Nolo Plain English Law Dictionary – Free. iPleading - $3.99.  Creates a formatted PDF document that is ready for filing.  The details can be filled in and emailed. Trial Pad - $89.99.  Present trial exhibits in court through a projector.Modern Current Awareness - Twitter WeFollow -http://wefollow.com/ Twellow - http://www.twellow.com/ (Jennifer’s personal favorite) Listorious - http://listorious.com/ LexTweet - http://www.lextweet.com/tweeters Admire someone?  Follow who they follow. Start actively tweeting about subjects of interest to you.  Then, selectively follow some of your followers.When to Stop Researching? When you have found multiple sources that all refer you to the same authority.CasesStatutesSecondary SourcesLocal Libraries (and Librarians) GGU – Alums pay a reduced membership rate.  Hastings – Check their website for the hours they are open to non-students.  Visitors get access to their online databases (other than Lexis and Westlaw) through public computer terminals in the library. Berkeley Law (Boalt) San Francisco Law Library San Francisco Public Library Thank you! Jennifer Pesetsky jpesetsky@ggu.edu (415) 442-6520

(At Least!) 30 Research Tips in 60 Minutes

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(At Least!) 30 Research Tips in 60 Minutes

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Golden Gate University School of Law: Digital Commons

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