Principles of Legal Research

Fall 2008
Week 1: September 8-12

Cecilia Tellis, Law Librarian

Brian Dickson Law Library
Outline
 My brief bio
 What I do as a law librarian
 Importance of legal research
 Introduction to course
– Syllabus, course wiki, etc.
 Pre-course questionnaire
 Library tour
 Lab orientation with Mary Régimbald
Who am I?
 Law Librarian / Instructor
 Part of the “helping professions”;
yes, just like lawyers!
 Role at the Brian Dickson Law Library
Importance of this course
Syllabus
 Course content:
– A focus on Canadian legal research
– Material that won’t be covered in detail
• Other jurisdictions (U.S., Australia, UK, etc.)
Course Wiki
http://legalresearchprinciples.pbwiki.com
Other ways it can help you
 More opportunities for work/credit as
a student:
– Ottawa Law Review
– Law & Technology Journal
– Canadian Internet Policy and Public
Interest Clinic
– Internships
– Pro bono
– Legal aid clinic
Pre-course questionnaire
 10 minutes
Introduction to course
Tell me and I forget
Show me and I
remember
Involve me and I
understand
-old Chinese proverb
Library tour
 15 minutes
 Can leave personal items in my
locked office
Lab orientation
 Room 430 in the library
 With Mary Régimbald, Online
Reference Technician
 50 minutes