PRL 112 - Legal Research & Writing I

1. Demonstrate proficiency with legal research platforms
   1. Describe how legal research platforms, such as Westlaw, may be used in conducting legal research
   2. Conduct legal research using legal research platforms
2. Examine primary authority
   1. Define primary authority
   2. Discuss the difference between binding and persuasive legal authority
   3. Retrieve relevant legislation and regulations from federal and state publications
   4. Identify major case reporters, including regional reporters
3. Examine secondary authority
   1. Discuss the role of secondary authority in legal research
   2. Identify commonly used secondary authorities
4. Develop and implement a research plan
   1. Identify the relevant facts of a legal question
   2. Identify the legal issue(s)
   3. Select search terms and formulate a legal query
   4. Demonstrate the ability to check and confirm the accuracy and currentness of legal authorities
5. Develop mechanics of legal writing
   1. Identify the purposes of various legal documents, including legal correspondence, memoranda, and briefs
   2. Distinguish between various audiences
   3. Produce documents with correct grammar and punctuation
6. Demonstrate proficiency with legal citation
   1. Identify legal citation rules, including citation using The Bluebook
   2. Construct correct legal citations
   3. Describe the impact of local court rules on citation form