Exercise#20:SOURCESOFINFORMATION

Forthefollowing,which wouldbethemosteffective source of information? CircletheBESTsource ofinformation.

1. A client wants to sell a piece of real estate that was givento her severalyearsago.Unfortunately, shecannot findacopyofthedeed.
   1. We shouldcontacttheperson whogavehertheproperty.
   2. We shouldchecktheCountyClerk'sOffice tosee ifthedeedwasrecorded.
   3. We shouldasktheclienttosearchthrough herpapersforthedeed.
   4. We shouldasktheclientforproofthatthepropertywasgiventoher.

1. A client wants to sue a neighbor forinjuries suffered as a result of a dog bite.The clientclaimsthe neighbor's dog is "vicious" and has bitten people.Weneedtofindoutwhowasbitten andwhen.
   1. We shouldcontactAnimalControltoseeifthereisarecordofthedogbeing

declared"vicious."

1. We shouldaskanexpertsincethedogisapitbull.
2. Weshouldasktheclienttogatherthenamesofpersonswhomayhavebeenbitten.
3. Weshouldcheckpolice reports.
4. A client wants tosue an employerforlong-term disability.The client claimstohavepe1manentnervedamagefromrepetitivemotion. First, weneedtodetermine theextentofhisdisability.
   1. We shouldasktheclient.
   2. Weshouldlookatmedicalrecords.
   3. Weshouldask thefactory'sresident nurse.
   4. We shouldaskamedicalexperttoreviewthe medicalrecords.
5. Aclienthasmovedandhas notleftaforwardingaddress.Therefore, a box of documents belonging to the client mustbereturnedtohim.
   1. We shouldcallthepostoffice.
   2. Weshouldcheck a crisscrossdirectory.
   3. Callhisneighbors.
   4. Weshouldcheck ourfilesforemergencycontactnumbersandaddresses.

Directions: Consider what you've learned about each of the following legal analysis skills:

Element Identification

Identifying/Phrasing Legal Issues

Identifying/Applying Definitions

Factor Analysis

Case Law Application

IRAC/IFRAC

1. In your own words, please specifically discuss how these skills can assist the paralegal in determining what requires investigation and legal research and what sources of law/legal authority would be helpful.

2. Read the Memorandum of Law in Exhibit 7-17 beginning on page 356 of Statsky, 8th edition. Based on that memorandum, please provide 6 (six) specific examples to support your reasoning in the above discussion.(If you have the e-book edition of Statsky, Exhibit 7-17 can be found on page 361)