Workflow Templates: Legal Research Checklist

Identify the relevant legal issues and questions that need to be addressed

Determine the jurisdiction(s) involved in the legal matter

Clarify any terms or concepts that are unclear before proceeding

Gather and review relevant statutes, regulations, and legislative history

Find and analyze pertinent case law and court opinions

Check for secondary sources such as legal journals, treatises, and practice guides

Develop a research plan outlining the steps and resources required

Prioritize the research tasks based on urgency and relevance

Keep track of search queries, databases used, and results found for future reference

Critically evaluate the credibility and authority of sources

Analyze the facts in light of the applicable legal frameworks

Determine how the law applies to the facts of the case

Compile and organize the research findings in a systematic manner

Create a memorandum or report summarizing the relevant legal findings

Ensure all sources are properly cited and accessible for review

Verify that the legal authorities used are current and still good law

Update the research with any new developments or case law

Validate the conclusions based on the latest legal standards and precedents

Use Slack? Start your trial with one click

Start Free 14-Day Trial

Use Slack? Sign up with one click

Legal Research Checklist