One of the core skills a good paralegal will possess is the ability to perform proper legal research. Legal research can include traditional research methods as well as using the internet to find the information for which you are looking. If your legal research skills could use some brushing up, here are some online resources to help you perfect your legal research skills.

Basic Legal Research – By Cornell University Law Library

This online guide is designed to help beginners with everything from definitions of basic legal research terms, as well as how to get started with actual investigations. This document is very well written with phrases linked to other areas of the guide that give further explanations of key points.

How to Do Legal Research in Law School – By Lexis Nexis

While aimed at law students, this guide is for all legal professionals who want to know more about how to perform proper legal research. The guide starts with the basics of legal research, then moves on to the actual processes that can be used to begin your research.

The Law Students Guide to Free Legal Research on the Internet – Research Primer

If you’re looking for a step-by-step breakdown of legal research, this tutorial is for you. The process of legal research is broken down into 10 easy steps designed to help you begin, even if you’ve never done investigations of this type before.

Basic Legal Research Techniques

This PDF is Chapter 3 of the ebook “Locating the Law.” This instructional document goes beyond the basics and digs into more details such as the TARP method of approaching legal research. There is also a list of free online resources that can be a good reference for you as you begin your investigations.

Basic Legal Research – Mini Research Class – By the Council of California County Law Librarians

Although this is put out by a California organization, most of the material is not state-specific. If you are new to legal research, this class teaches you methods such a looking for administrative law, finding codes and constitutions, and much more.

Legal research may not be the most glamorous aspect of a paralegal position. However, being capable of conducting good thorough research can make you an invaluable member of any litigation team. Legal research is a skill that can help grow as a legal professional.

If you found this article interesting, you might also like “8 Legal News Websites for Legal Professionals.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Jones is a court reporter, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.

The discovery phase of any litigation is performed by the attorneys in a case, often assisted by paralegals and legal assistants. It is necessary to enlist the help of these legal professionals in order to handle the sheer volume of work and organization that is necessary. Today much of discovery can be electronic. E-discovery is the term used meaning to locate and produce evidence that is in electronic form. While the definition is simple, the subject is more complex. The ways in which e-discovery is conducted changes rapidly as our technologies and media forms change. It is necessary for any legal professionals involved in litigation to stay current on the latest news and changes in e-discovery.

If you’re just becoming familiar with e-discovery or are looking to stay updated on new technology, here are some articles and technology blogs you may be interested in reading:

E-Discovery Transformation: Top to Bottom

Attorney and professional writer Jon Dawson gives a broad overview of types of e-discovery. The article emphasizes how e-discovery software can help you manage the different types of discovery you may be required to produce.

Control It Yourself: A New Service Concept in E-Discovery Technology

Lynn Frances, a legal technology analyst and consultant, writes about how e-discovery was conducted historically, and how it is changing. Frances writes about a new trend in handling e-discovery that mixes old with new.

There are also entire legal blogs that are committed to reporting on new trends and news about e-discovery. Here are a few we’ve seen:

The Discovery Advocate

The Discovery Advocate blog is presented by members of Baker Hostetler’s E-Discovery Advocacy and Management Team and takes a practical look at modern discovery practice and the developments and trends that impact today’s litigants in the trenches of litigation.

Recent topics include:

• E-Discovery Advocacy and Management
• E-Discovery Rules
• Privacy
• Ethics

e-discovery 2.0

Employees of Clearwell Systems, an e-discovery software company, discuss e-discovery issues, trends and news, including recent court cases.

Recent blog topics include:

• E-Discovery Software
• Data Retention
• E-Discovery Best Practices

E-Discovery Beat

News and information about e-discovery, providing information and resources to help attorneys, technicians, litigation support professionals, records and information managers tame the chaos of e-discovery. This blog aims to build awareness and provide practical tips for readers to take their legal strategy to the next level.

Recent blog posts include:

• E-Discovery News Roundup
• Government Agencies and E-Discovery
• Law Practice Management

The requirements of paralegals and legal assistants today are ever-changing, especially those involved in litigation. The internet is an invaluable resource to provide new and current information on e-discovery. Staying current will be a great help to you and your team of attorneys in your next litigated matter.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like “A Paralegal’s Guide to Working with Court Reporters.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Kay is a Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Google+.