Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals

By Deborah E. Bouchoux

Book Overview

This revision of a best-selling paperback text continues to carefully lead students through the legal research and writing process -- from start to finish. it offers a comprehensive overview of research and writing skills, complemented by illustrations and exercises. Bouchoux provides everything students need to know to master the basics, from using the law library, To deciding how many authorities are enough, To polishing writing skills. Some features of note include: An exceptionally clear presentation that is logical and well-organized; 'Writing Strategies' which are integrated into each of the research chapters--providing a link between the process of researching And The process of writing; and helpful appendices which supply students with a sample legal memoranda, sample brief for court, and a sample appellate brief. The Second Edition is updated throughout and includes helpful new additions: boxes in research chapters offer Technology Tips, such as useful Internet addresses to help with research; all new assignments are found throughout the book; completely updated chapter on Computer-Assisted Legal Research, with more information on CD-ROM resources and doing research on the Internet; a new appendix with a resource guide of useful phone numbers for conducting research; and a new glossary of key terms.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1567066399
• ISBN13: 9781567066395
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Aspen Law & Business
• Length: 148 Pages
• Dimensions: 10.2" x 1.3" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Buy this book - you will looove it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the best textbooks I have ever read - I savored every word! Trust me, you should buy it. It discusses the federal and state court systems; statutory law; case law; digests; A.L.R.; legal encyclopedias, periodicals, treatises, and restatements; proper Bluebook and ALWD citation; Shepardizing (an enitre chapter); how to use both Lexis and Westlaw; and useful instructions on how to write legal correspondence, legal memorandums, and briefs. I have a BA in Political Science from UC Berkeley and am currently enrolled in the ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate program at San Francisco State. This book was assigned for my Legal Research & Writing class, but it explained the basic principles of the state and federal court systems much better than the textbook that was assigned for my Intro to Law/Civil Procedure class. The professor who assigned the book also teaches at a well-known law school and told our class that she wishes that she could assign it there as well, but is not the key decision maker. I am a writer, so I assumed that the chapters on legal writing were going to be boring and I planned to skip them. To my surprise, I learned a lot. I spent the whole day today in a law library working on a homework assignment. I keep thinking to myself how grateful I was to the author for writing this book because it helped me tremendously with the assignment. I am going to research how I can contact her to thank her!!! If you are planning to attend Paralegal or Law school I recommend that you read this book to help prepare yourself. It covers all of the basics.

Efficient Service

I ordered the book and it arrived within 3days. The package was wrapped so there was no wear or tear. I was very pleased and would order again.

great for class

I used this book for class and I thought it was great. My professor really recommended it. good introductory read

Excellent New Edition

This book is excellent and does not resemble the reviews for previous editions. I'm just getting into it, but questioned my professor for requiring it, until I read a few chapters and browsed through it and found it to be adequate, and more. The writing is clear and substantial and makes for easy and significant study.

Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals

I am currently a paralegal major at a community college in Maryland. This was not the book assigned for my legal research or legal writing classes, but I borrowed the book for the purpose of a research paper for English class. I found the book to be extremely helpful in my research process and I will purchase a copy for myself. Ms. Bouchoux is very thorough in illustrating the process involved in researching and writing clear and effect legal documents. I recommend to anyone studying to be a paralegal and/or attorney to purchase this book to use a reference guide.