NALA Legal Research & Citation Methods

Question 1

What is the purpose of a case citation in legal research?

Accepted Answer

To provide a standardized reference that allows anyone to locate the exact court opinion

Answer

To summarize the court's decision in a few words

Answer

To identify the attorney who argued the case

Answer

To indicate whether the case has been appealed

Question 2

What does 'Shepardizing' a case mean in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Checking the subsequent history and treatment of a case to verify it is still good law

Answer

Filing a case with the court clerk

Answer

Summarizing a case for a senior attorney

Answer

Translating legal terms into plain language

Question 3

What is primary authority in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Law itself, including constitutions, statutes, regulations, and court opinions

Answer

Legal encyclopedias and treatises

Answer

Law review articles written by professors

Answer

Attorney General opinions

Question 4

Which legal research database is the Westlaw equivalent of LexisNexis?

Accepted Answer

Both are competing commercial legal research databases offering similar access to legal materials

Answer

Westlaw is a free public database

Answer

LexisNexis only covers state law

Answer

Westlaw only covers federal law

Question 5

What is a 'headnote' in a published court opinion?

Accepted Answer

A brief summary of a point of law addressed in the opinion, added by the publisher

Answer

The judge's personal opinion about the case

Answer

The first paragraph written by the winning attorney

Answer

A footnote added by a law professor

Question 6

What is the Bluebook in legal citation?

Accepted Answer

The standard reference guide for legal citation format used in the United States

Answer

A directory of all practicing attorneys

Answer

A compilation of federal criminal statutes

Answer

A blue-covered bound volume of Supreme Court decisions