Introduction

Welcome to Georgia Legal Research. I’m thrilled you’ve signed up for the class, and I’m looking forward to a great semester. This open source textbook is designed to provide you with a comprehensive guide to Georgia legal research. We’ll also be using some of the features of eLC, such as assignment submission, but I’ll make that clear for you when the time comes.

A few course highlights:

• I’m available by email, phone, and zoom. Office hours are Tuesdays from noon – 3:00pm, online and in person, but we can also make an appointment. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
• The course grade is comprised of participation, weekly research assignments, a midterm assignment, and a final project.

Here are our course objectives:

• You will be able to select, evaluate, and use appropriate legal research tools with an emphasis on cost-effective research.
• You will be proficient in the following topics:
  • Developing an efficient and cost effective research strategy
  • Advanced searching skills in legal research databases
  • Case law, including docket research, court rules, and verdicts & settlements
  • Statutory law, including legislative materials and legislative history
  • Administrative regulations, rules, and related materials
  • Practice materials, including litigation and transactional tools
  • Competitive Intelligence & business information
  • Local & municipal law
  • Legal ethics
  • Free and low cost internet legal resources

Attorneys use primary and secondary sources to research the law as it applies to a client’s legal situation in order to give accurate legal advice. A careful legal researcher asks critical questions of these sources and acknowledges the potential strengths and weaknesses of a client’s legal situation before giving legal advice.