Legal Research 101: Primary Authorities

Learn how to research and use primary authority using print resources

Created by: Bret Christensen
Law Librarian

What Will I Learn?

• Students will gain confidence starting a legal research project
• Students will learn how to find state and federal primary authority using print resources
• Students will learn what makes law "primary" and the importance of using primary authority in legal documents
• Students will learn basic legal terminology relevant to this course.

Requirements

• You should be able to use a computer at a beginner level
• You'll need speakers attached to your computer to listen to the audio associated with each module

Target audience

• Lawyers with 1-5 years of experience who forgot what they learned in law school about the "how" of legal research
• Lawyers with 5+ years of experience who are looking for a refresher course on the basics of legal research
• Paralegal students who need to supplement what they are learning in school about legal research
• Pro se litigants who are suing someone (or are being sued) and need an easy (and cheap) way to learn how to find legal resources
• Business owners who need to understand and find laws that affect their business.
• Anyone who is interested expanding their knowledge by learning the basics of legal research