Legal Research Explained

Instructors who are looking for a clear and concise text introducing students to the basic methods of legal research will welcome Legal Research Explained . Based upon the legal research section of Bouchoux’s highly successful Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, the material in this text has been modified, condensed and updated to fit courses covering only legal research.

This engaging text helps students develop both knowledge and confidence:

• using a building-block approach, which is instrumental in ensuring that students master the critical skills of legal research, Bouchoux discusses conventional print legal research sources before computer-assisted and electronic sources. Similarly, primary authorities are discussed before secondary authorities and statutes are covered before cases, because this is the order in which it happens in practice

• divided into five sections: 1) conducting legal research using primary authorities; 2) conducting legal research using secondary authorities and other research aids; 3) computer-assisted legal research and the Internet; 4) legal citation form and validating authorities; and 5) “putting it all together” and providing a final overview of the legal research process

• Text includes:

o examples of citation form (in both ALWD and Bluebook format)

o questions relating to the materials discussed in each chapter and requiring students to use pertinent sources to locate the answers to those questions

o section at the end of each chapter requiring students to access the Internet to locate answers to questions so that students become proficient in quickly locating the types of information an employer will require them to retrieve, such as local court rules

o Practice Tips in each chapter, offering realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success

• up-to-date sample pages in each chapter illustrate the features of various legal research authorities.

The book is part of a comprehensive instructional package that includes PowerPoint slides and an extensive Instructor’s Manual featuring:

• sample syllabi

• information on teaching strategies

• chapter-by-chapter resource information

• answer keys for all discussion questions and Internet assignments

• detailed suggestions for additional assignments

• a Test Bank of exam questions

Professors in search of a text that applies a building-block approach to developing a firm foundation for legal research are sure to be delighted with Bouchoux’s new book; Legal Research Explained. In addition to providing students with the skills and resources that they will need as they progress professionally, instructors are also provided with a comprehensive educational package to aid in the effort to impart a complete understanding of the fundamentals of legal research.

An author website to support classroom instruction using this title is available at http://www.aspenlawschool.com/bouchoux_explained