LGS 143 - Legal Research and Writing 1

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
Learn techniques of legal research and writing with an emphasis on legal research. Explore topics that include issue identification, an overview of the research process and the American system of law, primary and secondary sources of law, citators, and legal citations. Learn and apply writing skills to complete memoranda and case briefs. Lab fee $12.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in LGS 111 or permission of legal studies director.

Location(s) Typically Offered: Arnold Main Campus (MC) and Online (OL)

Term(s) Typically Offered: Fall, spring, and summer

Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Research, evaluate and apply primary sources of law: constitutional law, statutory law, administrative law and case law.
Identify, locate and utilize secondary legal authority, like case digests and legal encyclopedia.
Identify the levels of the federal court system and the Maryland State Court System, evaluating jurisdiction and the interplay of legal precedence and stare decisis.
Apply legal research tools, like Shepard’s and KeyCite, to determine the currentness of legal authorities.
Use The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation to cite to all sources.
Recognize the components of and draft a case brief.
Identify and define the components of the IRAC method of legal analysis.
Prepare a persuasive (or objective) legal memorandum on a point of law.
Develop a legal writing plan: differentiate among legal authorities, organize topics, and edit and proofread legal writing.
Identify and evaluate ethical issues in legal research and writing.
Identify the purpose and components of a trial and appellate brief.