A clear, well-organized text for the introductory legal research and writing course, designed specifically for paralegal students.

Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals, Sixth Edition, teaches students the skills they need to effectively work with cases, legal authorities, documents, and professional correspondence. Samborn and Yelin guide students through the writing process, using the objective memo as a teaching tool. At every stage of a well-defined writing process, the authors provide lucid explanations, visual aids, and plenty of examples. With practice exercises throughout the book, students can develop the skills that will become indispensable to their careers as paralegals. New to the Sixth Edition: New and refreshed exercises Streamlined presentation, making the material even more accessible and teachable Updated website resources Revised and updated chapter on Case Briefing and Analysis Expanded coverage of email and e-memos Professors and students will benefit from: Thorough and readable coverage of case briefs, legal memoranda, correspondence, and persuasive writing A practical approach that emphasizes the role of the paralegal, and how different types of legal writing are used in practice Step-by-step instruction that guides students through every stage of the writing process, from pre-writing planning to drafting and revising An overview of the legal system that shows how different forms of legal writing are used in different contexts Synthesizing and presenting legal authorities How to use the IRAC method of legal analysis Examples, exhibits, writing tips, exercises, ethics alerts, practice pointers, and web resources Additional student resources in its appendices on citation rules and writing strategies

A new book dealing with the fundamentals of legal writing and research. Each chapter focuses only on the essential skills needed for success in the paralegal field. Topics include primary law, secondary sources, computers and other technology, citation, legal analysis and more. The text first describes the tools needed to conduct legal research, then shows how they're applied. Review charts, concrete examples, paralegal practice situations, tips from practicing paralegals, and chapter review questions and problems are included.ALSO AVAILABLE INSTRUCTOR SUPPLEMENTS CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO ORDERInstructor's Manual, ISBN: 0-8273-6356-7Computerized Test Bank (1996), ISBN: 0-8273-7979-X

With clear explanations, examples, and visual aids, The Legal Research and Writing Handbook, Eighth Edition by Andrea Yelin and Hope Viner Samborn offers complete coverage of a complex subject in a student-friendly, accessible text. In this thoroughly updated new edition, the authors continue to keep pace with legal research, citation, and technology in today’s law firms. This practical text focuses on efficient research processes and techniques for both traditional and electronic sources, along with step-by-step instruction through each stage of the legal writing process, from prewriting strategies, to revising. The text is enhanced with examples and visual aids, expert writing and practice tips, hands-on exercises, ethics alerts, up-to-date web resources, and easy-to-navigate page design. Excellent exercises are provided to reinforce student learning. Key Features: Updated and expanded coverage of electronic resources reflecting how paralegals do research today Detailed discussion of how to use legal authorities in legal communications and how to synthesize them and present them to attorneys Examples, exhibits, practical tips, updated exercises, and web resources in every chapter Expanded discussion of e-mail and e-memos In-depth coverage of the IRAC method, as well as how to write legal memoranda and legal correspondence

Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals takes students on a step-by-step journey through the intricacies of researching legal issues and creating legal documents. The focus is on critical areas paralegals deal with daily: what law is and how to find it, what role the Internet plays in legal research, how to incorporate legal research into writing, and how to create an array of legal documents. Ethics are integral to the practice of law, and each chapter addresses issues particularly relevant to paralegals. The many practical assignments throughout and at the end of each chapter allow students to put into practice what they are learning about research and writing. The pedagogy of the book focuses on three main goals: Learning outcomes (critical thinking, vocabulary building, skill development, issues analysis, writing practice) Relevance of topics without sacrificing theory (ethical challenges, current law practices, technology application) Practical application (real-world exercises, practical advice, portfolio creation) The Paralegal Supersite Site

KEY BENEFIT: Legal Research and Writing: A Practical Approach for Paralegals introduces readers to the process of legal research and writing with a very readable, yet thorough, step-by-step approach. Students will become proficient in legal research through easy-to-understand text and helpful visual aids, the application of learned concepts to a recurring case study, as well as many practical and engaging problems and fact-based exercises. Utilizing both print and online sources, students will learn how to conduct legal research with maximum results. The text provides a unique guided approach to Westlaw® and Lexis® instruction and a comprehensive case study where students must apply the skills they've learned throughout the course. They will learn where to find the law, as well as how to effectively read, understand, analyze, and apply the law to any given fact pattern. In addition, detailed instruction is provided on the rules for quality writing and the important and practical skills of legal analysis, proofreading, editing, and cite-checking. In short, this book will equip the student with all the necessary tools needed to complete any basic legal research assignment. KEY TOPICS: Practical Approach, Research Fundamentals, Step-by-Step Process, Comprehensive, Case Study, My Law MARKET: For courses in legal research and writing.

The text retains the features that earned it such widespread use: - clear, well-organized text for the introductory legal research and writing course, designed specifically for paralegal students - comprehensive overview of research and writing skills, reinforced by illustrations and exercises - integration of writing strategies into each research chapter to demonstrate the link between the two processes - timely and thorough coverage of electronic research, including a chapter on internet research as well as fee-based services such as Lexis and Westlaw. Throughout the text, the author supplies further tips on how to use electronic resources most effectively - useful charts and diagrams help students understand complex topics - thorough explanation of proper citation form and updating/validating legal authorities, including Shepardizing and KeyCiting - samples of legal writing, such as letters, a court brief, and a legal memorandum This timely revision contains valuable new material: - completely revised text reflects the changing nature of legal publishing - to help students learn how to navigate through cyberspace, a section at the end of each chapter, State Your Answer, now offers additional questions relating to the materials discussed. These questions require students to access relevant internet sites and local information and can be made state-specific - a new feature, The Final Wrap Up, provides practical and pragmatic information on citing and using various research resources and advises students on when to use a certain set and whether it may be cited in various legal documents - Practice Tips now appear in each chapter, offeringrealistic and helpful suggestions for workplace success - expanded and updated Legal Citation chapter with more coverage of the ALWD Citation Manual. The examples of citation form given at the end of each chapter display citations in both Bluebook and ALWD form. Coverage is updated to the new (18th) edition of The Bluebook