Advanced Legal Research: Litigation

This course aims to prepare law students for research in litigation practice and judicial clerkships. More broadly, the primary goal is to enable students, now and later in their professional lives, to map out a coherent plan of action when asked to research a topic previously unfamiliar to them. Students should acquire a solid knowledge of research tools and a frame of reference that enables them to function independently and competently in the complex world of legal information. Students will accomplish the following learning objectives: 1) formulate rational and efficient research strategies incorporating relevant sources of legal information; 2) find and effectively use primary and secondary legal sources in any format; and 3) increase critical skills in assessing and the variety of information resources relevant to the practice of law. Learning legal research requires a hands-on approach, so students will complete in-class exercises and homework assignments -- all of which contribute to grading. There will not be a final exam. This course is open to Stanford graduate students with permission from the instructor.