Legal Research
Legal Research is a fundamental skill in the legal profession where professionals find and analyze laws, regulations, court decisions, and other legal documents to support legal work. It's like being a detective who investigates legal information to help lawyers build strong cases or give accurate advice to clients. This usually involves using specialized databases like LexisNexis or Westlaw, reviewing law books, and analyzing past court decisions. It's similar to regular research but focused specifically on legal materials and requires understanding of legal terms and how courts make decisions.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Legal Research to support complex corporate litigation cases
Utilized Legal Research skills to prepare comprehensive briefs for senior attorneys
Led Legal Research initiatives resulting in successful case outcomes for major clients
Typical job title: "Legal Researchers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Legal Researchers
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach training junior staff in legal research methods?
Expected Answer: A senior researcher should discuss creating structured training plans, sharing efficient research strategies, teaching how to evaluate sources, and methods for quality checking research results.
Q: How do you handle conflicting legal precedents in your research?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they analyze different court decisions, evaluate which ones are most relevant, and present findings in a clear way that helps attorneys make decisions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies do you use to ensure your research is comprehensive yet efficient?
Expected Answer: Should discuss using multiple research tools, knowing when to stop researching, and how to organize findings effectively while staying within time constraints.
Q: How do you stay updated with changes in law and legal research tools?
Expected Answer: Should mention reading legal newsletters, attending training sessions, participating in professional groups, and regularly practicing with new research tools.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What legal research tools are you familiar with?
Expected Answer: Should be able to name major research platforms like LexisNexis or Westlaw and explain basic search techniques.
Q: How do you verify that a legal case is still good law?
Expected Answer: Should explain using tools like Shepard's Citations or KeyCite to check if cases are still valid and haven't been overturned.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic database searching
- Citation checking
- Legal document organization
- Understanding of basic legal terms
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced search strategies
- Analysis of complex legal issues
- Research summary writing
- Multiple jurisdiction research
Senior (5+ years)
- Training and supervising others
- Complex multi-jurisdictional research
- Research strategy development
- Expert knowledge of legal resources
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to use major legal research platforms
- Poor attention to detail in citations
- Lack of understanding about different types of legal authority
- Inability to explain research findings clearly
Related Terms
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