Preface. INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL RESEARCH PROCESS. Paralegal s Role in the Legal Research Process. The Variety of Legal Research Materials. How Law is Made in the U.S. Common Techniques for Finding the Law. The Importance of a Citation.

CONSTITUTION, STATUTES, REGULATIONS AND ORDINANCES. Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations and Ordinances. THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS-HOW LAWS ARE REPORTED. The Court System in the U.S. A Case as Law. Reporting Cases. West s National Reporter System.

Other Private Publishers. Specialized Reporters. Citing Cases. SEARCHING FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION. Encyclopedias. Treatises. Restatements. Periodicals.

TOOLS FOR LOCATING CASES. Digests. ALR s. OTHER TOOLS FOR RESEARCHING STATUTES. The Primary Approach. Finding Legislative History. Using Loose-Leaf Services. Model Codes/Uniform Laws.

Attorney General Opinions. COMPUTER RESEARCH. Westlaw. Lexis. UPDATING TOOLS. Explanation of Role of Shepards. Legislative Updating in Shepards. Case Updating in Shepards.

Other Uses of Shepards. Blue & White Books for Finding Parllel Citations. Updating by Computer. PRACTICE AIDS. Form Books. CLU. Jury Instructions. Am.

Jur. Trials, Proof of Facts. Dictionaries. Directories. Words & Phrases. A METHODOLOGY FOR RESEARCH. Defining the Search. Locating the Law.

Refining Issues. Updating the Search Professional Responsibility. Conclusion. Glossary.