Do you want to learn more about analyzing statutes and cases for a memo, brief, or research paper? If so, this interactive workshop series is for you! In this two-part series, you will learn how to research statutes and case law in the context of a specific legal question. Using the results of your research, you will then learn how to analyze these sources to be able to answer the legal question. You will leave this series with an introduction to the skills you need for research and analysis in legal or academic writing, as well as in your professional writing.
This series is co-presented by the Yale Law School and the Graduate Writing Lab.All sessions will take place via Zoom 12:10-1:30p.m.

Part 1: Researching and Analyzing Statutory Law (Tues Oct.20th and Wed. Oct. 21st)
In the first session, you will learn different methods for finding statutes related to the legal question presented and how to locate different sections within the broader statute. You will also learn how to retrieve secondary sources that may help advance your understanding of the statutory scheme. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to practice these techniques. In the second session, using the results of your research, we will walk through sections of a statute and common ways statutory language is construed by courts. You will also engage in exercises applying statutory law to factual situations.
Part 2: Researching and Analyzing Case Law (Tues, Oct. 27th and Wed, Oct. 28th)
In the first session, you will practice researching case law relevant to your question and making sure the cases you find are good law. You will also learn techniques for keeping track of your research so that you maintain focus on finding the cases most relevant to your research question. In the second session, you will learn how to analyze case law using one of the cases found in your research workshop. We will identify the issue(s) before the court and the applicable legal rule(s) affecting the case. You will then practice summarizing the court’s application of the rule to the facts of the case and the case holding. At the end of this workshop, you will be able to articulate the answer to the question presented.

Register here