Legal Research and Writing

William Statsky has been a member of the ethics committee and the advisory council for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and a member of the Certifying Board of the National Association of Legal Assistants. He has taught at Columbia Law School, UCLA School of Law, Antioch School of Law and Thomas Edison State College and is the author of numerous groundbreaking legal textbooks for paralegals. He was a member of the transition team for then-President-Elect Ronald Reagan. Mr. Statsky holds a master of law degree (LL.M.) in urban affairs as well as a juris doctorate degree (J.D.).

PART I: LEGAL RESEARCH: Preliminary Considerations. Catagories of Law and Research Materials. Defining Research Materials: An Introductory Overview. Authority in Research and Writing. Citation Form. Components of Many Law Books. The CARTWHEEL and Other Index Search Systems. The First Level of Legal Research: Background. Checklists for Using Nine Major Search Resources. Case Law. Statutory Law. Other Primary Authority. Computer Research. Validations-TheThird Level of Research: Ending Your Research. PART II: LEGAL WRITING: Letter Writing. Memorandum of Law. Appellate Brief. APPENDIES: A. State Legal Research Reference. B. Case Law on the Internet. C. Court Opinions for Assignments. D. Usage Guidelines for Formal Writing. GLOSSARY. INDEX.