Transcript I am furious. My teenager came home with a tattoo and a

Summer Research Bootcamp 2014 Scenario : Senior Partner in NH law
Firm approaches you…
- furious teenager came home with body art
& rings/studs without permission.
- I am in the NH Senate & want to introduce
a bill to regulate this in a session today.
- I need to know all about legislation from all
states on this topic within the next 15
minutes.
- There is no client to bill, so use only the
free web. Do you think you can handle it?
So
Dad…you
like dude?
- Make sure its from an accurate & reliable
source so I don’t look bad.
•
“One of the most daunting and painful research
projects asked of research assistants…”
•
Manual search is time consuming due to 50 different
state code organizations
•
Always look for compiled sources
– Special interest group websites
– National Conference of State Legislatures Web
– Lexis & Westlaw 50 State Survey Databases
– Uniform Law Annotated (print & Westlaw)
– Model Acts (e.g. Model Penal Code)
– National Survey of State Laws
– Subject Compilations of State Laws (check HeinOnline)
– Martindale Hubble Law Digest (check Lexis)
– Topical treatises with pocket parts & supplements
– Topical loose leaf services
•
Don’t forget state regulations
•
Don’t forget municipal ordinances and bylaws
•
Research Rule #1 – Ask a human being
• Has someone else done this before?