Legal Research: The Importance of Legal Research
Student Lawyer, Vol. 41, No. 8, pp.19-20, April 2013
2 Pages Posted: 3 May 2013
Date Written: May 1, 2013
Abstract
I doubt Steven Spielberg thought anyone watching "Lincoln" would think about legal research, but that’s what happened to me. As I listened to Lincoln explain his reasoning for pursuing the 13th Amendment, I couldn’t help but think about legal research. Lincoln had found, understood, and applied the law.
While Lincoln’s legal research didn’t include Westlaw or Lexis, its underlying principles of finding, understanding, and applying the law remain the same today. Today’s lawyers continue to use legal research on a daily basis to prepare them to advise clients, negotiate with opposing counsel, or persuade a judge or jury. Written for Student Lawyer magazine, this column discusses the importance of legal research and provides some tips for developing an appreciation of legal research and improving research skills.
Keywords: legal research, importance, Lincoln, legal analysis
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