08/14/2008 08:38:44 AM EST
Tips to Take Back to Law School
How much have you learned during the summer? You likely developed techniques for:
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Drafting specific kinds of documents
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Working with a variety of attorneys, adapting to their styles and meeting their requirements
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Juggling firm social events with work assignments
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Managing time, working cost-effectively and dealing with client billing
As you return for another year of law school, how can these new skills and experiences translate to success as a student?
Think about applications of theory based on your experiences. As you continue to study the law and build your foundational knowledge, think to yourself, “How might this principle apply in writing arguments or counseling clients?” or “What would my assigning attorneys say about the importance of this ruling?”
Keep improving your writing. You have received input from attorneys who may have insisted on certain writing styles. Now you are back to writing for professor feedback. Is it possible to please everyone all of the time? Of course not. But can the diverse comments from professors and firm attorneys help you improve? Absolutely. Apply the tips and techniques you learned over the summer, but be open to comments you might not expect. Perspective and practice will help you keep advancing.
Apply what you learned about cost-effective research. You may not need to worry about the cost of research when you are using your law school’s account, but it’s worthwhile to continue refining your cost-effective research skills—methods that will serve you well next summer and beyond.
For example, use a “pyramid” approach, especially when you are researching unfamiliar topics. First, seek a broad-based understanding, e.g., through practice-area treatises and other secondary sources. Use that material to determine which statutes, regulations and cases may be most relevant to the specific question you need to research. Consider using the LexisNexis® Search By Topic Feature to explore the subject matter. Once you’re on the right path, narrow your focus.
In addition, make the most of various LexisNexis® tools designed for effective and efficient research.
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Execute one search across multiple jurisdictions and content types with the Search by Topic or Headnote feature.
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Move easily between adjoining statute sections with the Book Browse option.
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Create tabs that take you directly to sources for specific areas of law or jurisdictions where you research frequently.
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Access the results of prior searches at no additional charge by going to the History log.
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Narrow your search results at no additional charge by using the FOCUS™ feature.
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Retrieve individual documents quickly and cost-effectively when you know the citation, names of the parties or docket number with the Get a Document feature.
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Retrieve & print multiple documents at one time with the Get & Print feature.
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Gain a quick case overview withLexisNexis case summaries.
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View key legal points of a case drawn directly from the language of the court with LexisNexis headnotes.
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Retrieve cases that relate to a specific issue—quickly and easily—with the More Like This Headnote feature.
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Navigate easily through large treatises and other structured documents by clicking through a hierarchical table of contents (TOC).
Blend your practical work skills and law-firm insight with the breadth of knowledge you are building at school. The effort will help you progress as a student and bring more value to your next firm.