cost-effective legal research kate kosturski lis 620 advanced reference nancy friedland april 30,...
TRANSCRIPT
Cost-Effective Legal Research
Kate KosturskiLIS 620 Advanced Reference
Nancy FriedlandApril 30, 2009
Attorneys do not often practice the most cost-effective research techniques in legal database research! Aimless browsing Using wrong billing plan Remaining logged in for hours at a time
These practices can result in almost 25% (or even higher) monthly nonbillable charges!
The Problem
The Solution Cost Effective Legal Research!
Workshop Designed for Saiber LLC Mid-size (55) attorney firm in Newark, NJ
with offices in New York City, Atlantic City and Point Pleasant Beach
Can also be used in any size firm, in-house counsel, non-profit legal aid society, judiciary system.
Seminar Basics Classroom is conference room(s) with
laptops with Internet access
Attendees must have credentials for Lexis and Westlaw, along with basic Internet skills
Opportunities for Continuing Legal Education Credits (CLE) will be available
Lunch will be served. (Important!)
Course Outline Review of Lexis and
Westlaw Research Tips
Web Resources Legal Aggregators
(ex. Findlaw, Jurista) Federal Resources
(GPOAccess.gov, THOMAS)
State Resources (NJ and NY)
Educational (Law School) Resources
Public Library Legal Research
Newark (NJ) Public Library
New York Public Library
Print Resources and ILL
Podcasting
Lexis & Westlaw Research Tips
Lexis and Westlaw Cost-Effective Research Handouts Choose Correct Options for
Searching/Printing Proper type of search language Smallest database for your needs
Hands on demonstration of how these tips work with a participant
Free Online Resources Legal Aggregators
FindLaw (FindLaw for Legal Professionals) “Research the Law” Thomson Legal Record (for attorney referrals)
Jurista Court Docket Searches (vast!)
Federal Resources GPOAccess.gov (gov’t document repository) THOMAS – website for LC and text of bills
Use of synonyms and related terms, Boolean searching, knowing the search language (ex. Components of a CFR citation)
Free Online Resources State Resources – NJ
NJ Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) for free through Lexis State of NJ Website – NJ Statutes and NJ Constitution Rutgers – Camden Law Library State Court Database
State Resources - NY Unofficial NY Code, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) online
through Westlaw Consolidated Laws of the State of New York online via
FindLaw and New York State website State of New York Court Reporting Bureau New York State Unified Court System
Use of browsing to find information, Boolean searching, citation building, related terms, wildcards, phrase searching
Educational Resources Rutgers – Camden Law Library Website
Model Jury Charges OAL (Office of Administrative Law Decisions) Sentencing Guidelines Local Rules And more!
Thomas Mann’s concept of “talking to people” – going beyond the traditional available legal research.
http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/links/new_jersey/index.shtml
Public Library Resources Newark (NJ) Public Library
CD-Rom collections Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center Patent and Trademark Depository Library Gov’t Document Depository
New York Public Library Law and Government Databases Subject Databases Specific to Practice Areas LRS-NY State Legislative Retrieval System
Thomas Mann – “talking to people” (thinking outside the box!)
Print Resources and ILL Use WorldCat (http://www.worldcat.org)
to find books in other libraries!
Review of ILL relationships and nearby law schools
Encouragement of exploration of lending privileges with professionals’ own law schools.
Podcasts Podcast recording of the seminar for
attorneys who cannot attend Podcast would be downloadable locally
(intranet/wiki/webpage) Available through iTunesU
Legal Research Podcasts Berring’s Legal Research Podcast Justice Talking/Justice Learning King County (WA) Law Library Sidebar
Podcast
Marketing the Seminar Can use a corporate intranet or wiki (Use what
fits your needs!
http://saiberlibrary.wikispaces.com
The intranet or wiki would contain… Upcoming seminar info Links for transcripts and podcasts Links and tips of all websites and resources covered Printable subject guides and handouts
Glimpse Into the Future
Program offered twice annually May/June for summer associates September/October for fall associate class Can be offered at any time, and as part of library orientation
or a standalone program
Increased demand can be accommodated across different classrooms/offices with Skype, Microsoft NetMeeting, etc.
Possible separate programs for partners to address their unique generational learning needs (Gayle-Lynn Nelson)
Blackberry/iPhone/Smartphone applications and training
Glimpse Into the Future: The Research Rejuvenator
Modeled on Perkins Coie’s “Research Refresher”
Spin-offs of concepts covered in larger workshop, or material that could be covered in the workshop
15 – 30 minutes in length
Samples: “15 Websites on Intellectual Property in 15 Minutes” “Finding Government Documents on gpoaccess.gov”
Conclusions
Cost-Effective Legal Research broadens the legal professional’s knowledge base: What is out there beyond the Lexis/Westlaw
universe Where to find the resources How to use the resources
Finding the balance between quality legal service and lower costs.