Law Notes: Structuring Legal Research

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Introduction

• Legal research is nonlinear
• To be ale to do legal research, you need to be able to read and interpret:
  
  • Cases, statues, legal jargon, court systems and their hierarchies

Legal Research Structure:

1. Plan
2. Log
3. Product

1. Plan

• Identify key issues, main facts, jurisdiction, potential search terms, and legal terminology

2. Log

• Keep records and notes of your legal research
  
  • “I tried…” or “I keep seeing x case…”
  • Keep your log detailed in regards to your search queries, thought processes, results, and failures.
• Record all findings while noting new questions

3. Product

Legal memos are informative and objective, while briefs are arguing a case

Legal memo breakdown:

1. Question presented: Clear statement of legal issues
2. Brief answer: Concise summary of case and legal issues
3. Facts of the case
4. Legal analysis: How laws, cases, and legal rules apply
5. Conclusion: Final answers and recommendations on next steps