Legal Research and Writing
Qualities of a Good Legal Researcher
by Bryan Villarosa
Legal research is a service provided by LexRex, which is a critical tool in the legal profession. It is the ability to analyze facts to separate the relevant from the irrelevant.
Legal research requires having a working knowledge of the available legal research tools. It includes the ability to determine the appropriate scope of study, enabling one to produce outputs within a given time or budget efficiently.
As to cases, legal research is the ability to identify essential elements of a case, such as the SCRA or GR number, the ponente, the obiter dictum/dicta, the controlling or good law in line with stare decisis, among others.
A legal researcher must be able to understand “legalese” so they can serve as the “bridge” for different audiences. They can understand their audience and tailor their outputs accordingly, thereby effectively communicating the implications of the legal provisions.
They must be able to find the law applicable to a given set of facts and issue. This comes with the ability to sift through an ocean of laws, statutes, acts, and ordinances, to draw distinctions among them and to draw parallels across different areas of law.
Although case strategy is the sole duty of the lawyer, a good legal researcher must be able to assist in strategy and provide possible conclusions for different courses of action.
After consuming material, the ability to organize one’s thoughts well and write opinions clearly and persuasively is a premium legal skill. However, it is not one’s opinion that matters, but the sound legal opinion that they can provide.
Our Legal Research Services
- Substantive Legal Research:
- In-Depth Statutory and Regulatory Analysis: Comprehensive research and interpretation of federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Case Law Research: Targeted identification and analysis of controlling, persuasive, and relevant case precedents across multiple jurisdictions.
- Jurisdictional Surveys: Preparation of comparative reports on legal issues across different states or countries.
- Blue Sky Research: Exploring novel or underdeveloped areas of law to define the legal landscape for emerging issues.
- Pleadings and Motions Drafting:
- Drafting of initial complaints, answers, and crossclaims.
- Preparation of substantive motions, including Motions for Summary Judgment, Motions to Dismiss, and Motions in Limine.
- Crafting detailed affidavits, declarations, and supporting exhibits.
- Response and opposition drafting to adversary filings.
- Memoranda and Advisory Reports:
- Internal Legal Memoranda: Objective, thorough analysis of complex legal issues to inform attorney strategy and risk assessment.
- Client Advisory Letters: Clear, concise explanations of legal rights, liabilities, and potential outcomes for client communication.
- Discovery Analysis: Summarizing, organizing, and analyzing key findings from interrogatories, requests for production, and depositions.
- Appellate and Complex Briefing:
- Drafting and perfecting Appellate Briefs (Appellant and Appellee), including Statements of the Case, Arguments, and Standards of Review.
- Preparation of Amicus Curiae briefs.
- Meticulous citation checking, Bluebook/ALWD formatting, and compliance with court-specific rules.
- Legal Editing and Polishing:
- Critical Review and Redlining: Substantive editing of existing drafts for logical flow, legal precision, and persuasive argument structure.
- Citation Management: Ensuring perfect adherence to jurisdictional and professional citation standards.
- Proofreading: Final-stage review for grammar, spelling, and typographical errors.
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