Whether you’re a law student getting into the intricacies of legal doctrine or a lawyer tackling the details of workers’ compensation claims, you really want to know your legal research. In a field where laws and precedents are always shifting, knowing how to research thoroughly and efficiently can make all the difference.
Here are 3 helpful tips.
Utilize Comprehensive Research Tools
Having access to a wide range of legal information is important if you’re going to cover all your bases; there are plenty of tools to help you find everything from case law to statutes and regulations, making sure you don’t miss anything important.
You want to get comfortable with major research platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law. These tools let you search through tons of legal resources, filter results by things like jurisdiction and date, and even set up alerts for new developments.
For example, if you’re looking into case law for an employment discrimination issue, begin with broad search terms in one of these databases. Use filters to narrow down to relevant cases from your specific jurisdiction and court level. And as you refine your search, focus on the most recent and significant cases so that you’re getting the most relevant information.
Develop a Structured Research Plan
Having a clear research plan helps keep you on track so that you don’t overlook anything important.
Start by defining your research question or issue. Break your research into steps: identifying the issue, gathering materials, and analyzing your findings. Then, set milestones to keep yourself on track and adjust your plan as you go based on what you discover.
Say you’re researching a breach of contract case, begin by outlining key questions like “What terms were breached?” and “What damages are applicable?” Next, find and organize relevant statutes and case law. Analyze how these laws and cases apply to your situation, and tweak your research plan based on your findings.
Critical Analysis and Cross-Verification
Checking the accuracy and relevance of your findings is non-negotiable. You always want to double check the credibility of your sources so that you can avoid relying on outdated or incorrect information.
Assess your sources by looking at the credibility of the authors and the reliability of the publication. Stay updated on changes in the law by reviewing legal news and updates. And cross-check your findings by comparing case law with relevant statutes and other sources.
For example, if you’re working on an employment law case, check for any recent legislative changes or case law updates to confirm that you’re compliant.
Really, solid legal research is a foundation of legal practice. By using the right tools, following a structured plan, and applying thorough analysis and cross-checking, chances are you boost the quality and reliability of your research.
