Practice Tip: Know how to ask for help and keep track of your work in a practice setting.
Learn what research resources are available where you work.
- Do your supervisors have particular treatises or practice guides they turn to all the time?
- If you're using the organization's legal research databases, are they paying per search?
- Is there a librarian available?
Prepare to ask good questions by staying organized.
- Create a research plan.
- Don't forget about the Research Basics.
- What exactly do you need to research?
- What will be the end product of your research (memo, contract, brief, motion, etc.)?
- How much time do you have for the research?
- What has already been done for you?
- Keep track of your research.
- Could someone else pick up where you left off using your notes?
- Can you use your notes to ask informed questions?
Respect confidentiality and attorney-client privilege when asking questions.
Don't forget about timekeeping.
- In a firm setting you may need to keep track of time for client billing.
- In a public interest or government setting you may need to keep track of time for the organization to report for funding purposes.
County public law libraries can be a great resource if your organization or firm doesn't own a particular resource helpful for your research or you want to ask questions of a local librarian.
