Cost-Effective Legal Research

Kate KosturskiLIS 620 Advanced Reference

Nancy FriedlandApril 30, 2009

Attorneys do not often practice the most cost-effective research techniques in legal database research! Aimless browsing Using wrong billing plan Remaining logged in for hours at a time

These practices can result in almost 25% (or even higher) monthly nonbillable charges!

The Problem

The Solution Cost Effective Legal Research!

Workshop Designed for Saiber LLC Mid-size (55) attorney firm in Newark, NJ

with offices in New York City, Atlantic City and Point Pleasant Beach

Can also be used in any size firm, in-house counsel, non-profit legal aid society, judiciary system.

Seminar Basics Classroom is conference room(s) with

laptops with Internet access

Attendees must have credentials for Lexis and Westlaw, along with basic Internet skills

Opportunities for Continuing Legal Education Credits (CLE) will be available

Lunch will be served. (Important!)

Course Outline Review of Lexis and

Westlaw Research Tips

Web Resources Legal Aggregators

(ex. Findlaw, Jurista) Federal Resources

(GPOAccess.gov, THOMAS)

State Resources (NJ and NY)

Educational (Law School) Resources

Public Library Legal Research

Newark (NJ) Public Library

New York Public Library

Print Resources and ILL

Podcasting

Lexis & Westlaw Research Tips

Lexis and Westlaw Cost-Effective Research Handouts Choose Correct Options for

Searching/Printing Proper type of search language Smallest database for your needs

Hands on demonstration of how these tips work with a participant

Free Online Resources Legal Aggregators

FindLaw (FindLaw for Legal Professionals) “Research the Law” Thomson Legal Record (for attorney referrals)

Jurista Court Docket Searches (vast!)

Federal Resources GPOAccess.gov (gov’t document repository) THOMAS – website for LC and text of bills

Use of synonyms and related terms, Boolean searching, knowing the search language (ex. Components of a CFR citation)

Free Online Resources State Resources – NJ

NJ Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) for free through Lexis State of NJ Website – NJ Statutes and NJ Constitution Rutgers – Camden Law Library State Court Database

State Resources - NY Unofficial NY Code, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) online

through Westlaw Consolidated Laws of the State of New York online via

FindLaw and New York State website State of New York Court Reporting Bureau New York State Unified Court System

Use of browsing to find information, Boolean searching, citation building, related terms, wildcards, phrase searching

Educational Resources Rutgers – Camden Law Library Website

Model Jury Charges OAL (Office of Administrative Law Decisions) Sentencing Guidelines Local Rules And more!

Thomas Mann’s concept of “talking to people” – going beyond the traditional available legal research.

http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/links/new_jersey/index.shtml

Public Library Resources Newark (NJ) Public Library

CD-Rom collections Charles F. Cummings NJ Information Center Patent and Trademark Depository Library Gov’t Document Depository

New York Public Library Law and Government Databases Subject Databases Specific to Practice Areas LRS-NY State Legislative Retrieval System

Thomas Mann – “talking to people” (thinking outside the box!)

Print Resources and ILL Use WorldCat (http://www.worldcat.org)

to find books in other libraries!

Review of ILL relationships and nearby law schools

Encouragement of exploration of lending privileges with professionals’ own law schools.

Podcasts Podcast recording of the seminar for

attorneys who cannot attend Podcast would be downloadable locally

(intranet/wiki/webpage) Available through iTunesU

Legal Research Podcasts Berring’s Legal Research Podcast Justice Talking/Justice Learning King County (WA) Law Library Sidebar

Podcast

Marketing the Seminar Can use a corporate intranet or wiki (Use what

fits your needs!

http://saiberlibrary.wikispaces.com

The intranet or wiki would contain… Upcoming seminar info Links for transcripts and podcasts Links and tips of all websites and resources covered Printable subject guides and handouts

Glimpse Into the Future

Program offered twice annually May/June for summer associates September/October for fall associate class Can be offered at any time, and as part of library orientation

or a standalone program

Increased demand can be accommodated across different classrooms/offices with Skype, Microsoft NetMeeting, etc.

Possible separate programs for partners to address their unique generational learning needs (Gayle-Lynn Nelson)

Blackberry/iPhone/Smartphone applications and training

Glimpse Into the Future: The Research Rejuvenator

Modeled on Perkins Coie’s “Research Refresher”

Spin-offs of concepts covered in larger workshop, or material that could be covered in the workshop

15 – 30 minutes in length

Samples: “15 Websites on Intellectual Property in 15 Minutes” “Finding Government Documents on gpoaccess.gov”

Conclusions

Cost-Effective Legal Research broadens the legal professional’s knowledge base: What is out there beyond the Lexis/Westlaw

universe Where to find the resources How to use the resources

Finding the balance between quality legal service and lower costs.