WASHINGTON COUNTY LAW LIBRARY

INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL RESEARCH FOR NEW PARALEGALS

*NINE TIPS TO THE TOP*

1. Familiarize yourself with your employer’s legal research print and database
collections – and learn how to use them.

2. Understand basic legal document and research concepts and terms: e.g.
sources of law, mandatory vs. persuasive authority, primary vs. secondary
sources, case files, docket sheets, complaints, pleadings, motions, treatises,
databases, citators, digests, indexes, legal encyclopedias, forms books, pin
cites, case brief vs. legal brief, memorandum, court rules, regulations,
directives, foreign vs. international, practice books, CLEs, pocket parts, etc.

3. Ask your employer which style manual to use and know what to do with it.
a) Oregon Appellate Courts Style Manual (current one at OJD website)
b) The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (current edition)

4. Know how and where to find case law: digests, slip laws, published,
unpublished, trial court opinions, orders, administrative decisions, etc.

5. Know how and where to find statutes: session laws, codes, slip laws,
legislative history, legislative intent, etc.

6. Know what regulations and administrative rules are and where to find
them.

7. Learn how to use your law firm’s document management system.

8. Use these handy reference tools

a) Legal encyclopedias, practice guides, and forms books
b) The Bluebook (white and blue pages)
c) Biebers, various editions (abbreviations and style)
d) Words and Phrases: national and Oregon Digest
e) Tables of Cases and Popular Names indexes
f) Legal dictionaries and writing and usage manuals

9. Citators: Shepard’s (Lexis) and KeyCite (Westlaw)

When all else fails, or even before, and you still need research help,
ask your coworkers, your boss, your librarian, your paralegal professor,
or contact your local law library.
 COST EFFECTIVE RESEARCH

TIME IS MONEY

 Outline your research strategy to avoid duplication, wasted time, and

overlooking important research documents.

 Use the best legal research tools for the job: print, online, people

 Use the power of legal research leverage: ask the experts

Be the BEST EVER Legal Researcher and Paralegal

 Use every opportunity to learn about legal research tools available to you.

 Attend any training, CLE, or course available to you.

 Work well with others: paralegals, lawyers, legal secretaries, library staff,
and office managers. You need them more than they need you (at least for
now).

 Ask for constructive feedback on your research and writing – and work to
improve your skills.

 Find at least one area of law that interests you or your employer and learn
everything you can about it – do this often.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

 Ask questions – and have a system for recording answers.

 Enjoy your work.
 Relax after a hard week at work.

Updated: Orr, 3/7/11