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The Big Question: Law Library or Online?

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INTRODUCTION

Online legal research is, in a word, seductive. It seems so easy, especially when you are using Westlaw and Lexis without being billed for every minute. But as a working paralegal, these services come at a cost. A very expensive cost.

Pay attention to the comments in the textbook. It is even more important for a paralegal to have balanced research skills (including the law library) than for lawyers.

It will be tempting at various points in the program to slack off and just do as much as you need to get by. The most tempting target for taking it easy will be the law library. Do not give in to that temptation. You have a chance during this program to lay an incredible foundation in legal research skills. Take advantage of this opportunity.



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Paralegal Persepective . . .

BIG BILLS, AND BIG PROBLEMS


During one point as a paralegal, the firm hired two attorneys just out of law school. As beginning lawyers, it was not unusual that both were given quite a bit of research to perform. The law firm had a "membership" in a law library across the street, so those attorneys spent much of their first couple of months in that facility.

Then came the Westlaw bills. Between the two of them, over $11,000 in legal research fees had been generated using online research. Basically, they were at the law library using the computers there, with the books at their back. When asked about it, both basically used the excuse that they did not know how to research in the books, and just assumed they should use Westlaw, which (of course) had been free in law school.

Both attorneys were fired. Not so much for the $11,000 bill (Westlaw forgave about two-thirds of the charges), but for the lack of common sense they displayed.



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Lecture Notes . . .

Challenge Yourself!
As discussed in the textbook, it is a real advantage for a paralegal to know how to use the law library as well as online research sources. Knowing how to use Westlaw and Lexis is obviously important in today's online work environment, since online research is now the norm. Knowing how to use the law library, though, is going to test your character. We promise: If you learn how to research using traditional research materials in the law library, at some point in your career it will benefit you and your law firm.

Which assignments are required?
Unless told otherwise by your instructor, you are required to complete assignments related to Westlaw, Lexis, and the law library. This obviously means you will need your passwords to the online systems (Westlaw and Lexis). These will be provided to you. This also means you will need to make trips to the law library. Don't view this as a chore. It is an incredible opportunity.

The ABC's of Legal Research
Start getting used to the system used to teach legal research in this textbook. The ABC's of Legal Research. Whenever you see an assignment related to legal research, there will be 3 forms of that assignment.



A. How to research that assignment using Westlaw

B. How to research that assignment using Lexis

C. How to research that assignment using the law library



By the end of this program, you will have a better foundation in legal research than any lawyer graduating from law school.

Really!

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Commonly Asked Questions . . .

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