2. PART I: LEGAL RESEARCH REFRESHER David McFadden Senior Reference Librarian, Leigh H. Taylor Law Library PART II: LEGAL RESEARCH: THE LAW FIRM PERSPECTIVE Professor Eric Schiffer ’95 LEX OPUS APC PART III: CREATING YOUR JOB SEARCH PACKET Career Services Office

3. Legal Research: The Law Firm Perspective Professor Eric Schiffer ‘95 LEX OPUS APC

4. YOU’VE RECEIVED AN ASSIGNMENT. NOW WHAT?

5. Understand Exactly What is Being Requested

6. 1.What are the issues? Both specific to the assignment and big picture for the case

7. 2. How much time are you expected to spend? (budget your time)

8. 3. What form should the product take? (memorandum, pleadings, oral presentation)

9. 4.When is it due? ( make it your business to know the filing deadline as well as the deadline given to you )

10. Make a Game Plan 1.Make it meaningful to you (outline) 2.Start with the source material (factual issues for a pleading, opposition to a motion, etc.) 3.Prioritize each portion of the assignment and stick to it (but be flexible)

11. Research the issue Start with secondary sources - Helps you to understand the issue better - Rutter Group, Witkin, CACI, Treatises Secondary sources are never a substitute for primary sources - Read the cases - Read the statutes (and the annotations)

12. What should the product look like? Get samples (from the firm, on-line, court records, colleagues) No extra points for originality (efficiency is everything)

13. Your Product Must be Your Best Product Every Time 1.Never submit a draft unless specifically requested to do so 2.Make sure all proper names are accurate with subject/verb agreement 3.Proofread. And then proofread again (any written product, including emails)

14. Ask Questions, But Be Smart 1.If you can find the information yourself, find it! 2.Don’t look for safety blankets (am I doing this right?) 3.Your work and your Work Process need to inspire confidence in your boss 4.Request a time to speak and come prepared

15. The Answer should never be “I don’t know” even when you don’t know 1.Attorneys are paid to find the best answer they can find 2.Not every issue has a clear answer 3.Be resourceful

16. Find an Answer, and be able to Justify it 1.Be prepared to show your boss what you did and where you looked 2.Give your conclusion legitimacy 3.It’s okay to be wrong

17. Welcome Constructive Criticism 1.Ask for feedback at a convenient time 2.Take the recommendations to heart and implement them