The Fifth Edition of Legal Research Explained offers accessible, complete, and timely coverage specifically created for Legal Research courses. Deborah E. Bouchoux’s popular building-block approach ensures that all students can master these essential skills. The text is divided into five sections: 1) conducting legal research using primary authorities; 2) conducting legal research using secondary authorities and other research aids; 3) electronic and computer resources; 4) legal citation form and validating authorities; and 5) “putting it all together,” providing a final overview of the legal research process. Research assignments in each chapter, completely updated for this edition, give students practice with both conventional print resources and online sources. Charts, diagrams, and sample pages from research resources help students understand complex topics. In addition, Practice Tips in each chapter offer realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success, and Ethics Alerts are included throughout the book. New to the Fifth Edition: New “Sidebar” feature provides quick tips showing how the material in that chapter applies to computer-assisted legal research systems, such as Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law. Discussion of GovInfo, which provides free public access to official and authenticated publications from all three branches of the federal government. Coverage of new tools used for cite-checking, including EVA and Bestlaw. Discussion of Westlaw Edge, Westlaw’s new research platform. Extensive new coverage of artificial intelligence features that boost legal research. References to helpful YouTube videos for tips on Shepardizing, KeyCiting, and researching. New section on sources that provide free public access to the law, including Harvard’s Caselaw Access Project, CourtListener, and RECAP Project. New section on preparing informal or email memoranda, with a new assignment. All new Research Questions and Internet Legal Research Assignments included. Professors and students will benefit from: Pedagogy designed to enhance the accessibility of the material, including helpful charts and diagrams, annotated sample pages and screen shots that illustrate legal research authorities, updated Practice Tips offering realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success, and Ethics Alerts in every chapter. Well-designed assignments help students learn how to use a wide range of research sources. Chapters that demonstrate citation form for the resources discussed. Conscientious revision that ensures that the book has the most up-to-date material, presented in a readable and accessible format.

Featuring Deborah E. Bouchoux’s highly regarded assignments, examples, and building-block approach, Concise Guide to Legal Research and Writing, Fourth Edition continues to provide timely coverage of the essential research and writing skills used by today’s paralegals. Designed specifically for paralegal students, this is the ideal text for shorter legal research and writing courses. New to the Fourth Edition: New “Sidebar” feature in all research chapters provides quick tips showing how the material in that chapter applies to computer-assisted legal research systems, such as Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law. Discussion of GovInfo, which provides free public access to official and authenticated publications from all three branches of the federal government. Coverage of new tools used for cite-checking, including EVA and Bestlaw. Discussion of Westlaw Edge, Westlaw’s new research platform. Extensive new coverage of the increasing use of artificial intelligence in legal research and writing. Discussion of new sources that provide free public access to the law, including Harvard’s Caselaw Access Project, CourtListener, and RECAP Project. New sections on preparing email letters and email memoranda, including assignments. All new Research Questions and Internet Legal Research Assignments have been included for each chapter. Professors and students will benefit from: Concise, well-organized text, divided into six main sections: Section I discusses primary authorities Section II covers secondary sources Section III focuses on computer-assisted legal research using Lexis Advance, Westlaw, and the Internet Section IV covers citation form and how to ensure that these sources are still “good law” Section V provides an overview of the legal research process Section VI covers legal writing Pedagogy designed to enhance the accessibility of the material, including helpful charts and diagrams that synthesize complex topics, updated Practice Tips offering realistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success, and Ethics Alerts in every chapter. Targeted and ample exercises help students learn how to use a wide range of research sources. Tips on how to effectively use electronic resources are included throughout the text. Conscientious revision ensures that the book has the most up-to-date material, presented in a readable and accessible format.

Provides an overview to types and sources for legal research. Has list of legal abbreviations and index.

Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals emphasizes the skills and issues that paralegals encounter in practice. Thoroughly up to date, the Tenth Edition continues to combine clear text with visual aids, writing samples, tips, and pointers. Designed specifically for paralegal students, Deborah Bouchoux's classroom-tested approach teaches cutting-edge research skills, writing style, and proper citation form to equip students with an essential skill set and well-founded confidence. The author's logical and comprehensive approach enhances students' understanding. Part I covers Primary Authorities, Part II discusses Secondary Authorities, and Part III covers the basics of Legal Writing. In addition, Bouchoux integrates writing strategies into each research chapter to demonstrate the link between the two processes. The text thoroughly explains proper citation form and updating/validating legal authorities. The Legal Writing section includes samples of legal writing, such as letters, a court brief, and a legal memorandum. New to the Tenth Edition: Significant focus on newer technologies available to legal researchers such as Lexis+ Brief Analysis, Westlaw Edge's Quick Check, and more. Coverage of the use of analytics tools now used by legal professionals, such as Lexis+ Context. An entirely new section in Chapter 11 on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal research. Expanded section on techniques to achieve gender-inclusive language. A new section in Chapter 15 on using tech tools such as ProWritingAid, BriefCatch, WordRake, NoRedInk, and Cooley GO to improve writing. A new section on texting and confidentiality issues in Chapter 16. A completely revamped and expanded discussion on e-memos in Chapter 17. Revised throughout with new ethics alerts and updated figures. All new Research Questions and Internet Legal Research Assignments included in each chapter. Professors and students will benefit from: Clear pedagogy designed to enhance the accessibility of the material. Targeted and ample exercises help students learn how to use a wide range of research sources. Charts and practice tips, updated for this edition, help students apply what they have learned. Thorough coverage of electronic research with chapters on both Internet research and fee-based services.