This presentation introduces legal research fundamentals for non‑attorneys who must navigate legal issues but lack formal legal training. It explains how legal information is structured (statutes, regulations, cases, and rules of court) and shows where reliable, authoritative materials can be found using free platforms.
The seminar will focus on practical search strategies in simple ways so the participants can confidently locate and use legal information without paid subscriptions.
The following topics will be discussed during the presentation:
- Identify the legal situation where information is sought.
- Where to begin looking.
- Identify reliable free sources for rules of court, statutes, regulations, and case law.
- Access court websites and government legislation websites.
- Access Google Scholar and other free legal websites.
- Apply basic search strategies and concise wording to produce the best search outcomes.
- How to use AI to conduct legal research, being cautious of the pitfalls in drafting legal documents.
About the Presenter
Harlie Harrison is a California-licensed attorney, with a focus on family law. Other areas of representation include civil harassment restraining orders. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked as a paralegal from 2013 to 2025 and acquired a wealth of experience in legal research, especially in accessing free legal information online without subscriptions. Her goal now as an attorney is to become a Family Law Specialist, an accreditation through the State Bar of California.
A free Noon Time Legal Seminar presented by the Nevada County Law Library and the Madelyn Helling Library on Tuesday, May 19, 12:00-1:00 p.m
Register here: https://nevadacountyca.libcal.com/event/16702575
The Teams link and materials will be sent by the Law Library prior to the seminar. You may attend via Teams or in person at the Madelyn Helling Library. Spaces are limited.