In which we complain about HelLRW Forum

[Melkaba]

Legal Research "Mid-Term" demolished. Still, pretty strange that this is still going to be curved when it pretty much resembled a typical undergraduate exam. Oh well, no more Research until next semester, but I still have Writing (and a massive memo draft due on Monday. *Sigh*)

[OGR3]

I like legal writing.

[chicoalto0649]

I like legal writing.

I don't hate it. Our topic is really interesting and for me its a nice break from my substantive classes which just drag on and on and on

[dailygrind]

i appreciate legal writing and what it's done for my ability to understand my other classes. i hate it because it's one more thing to do in an already busy schedule, and it often makes me stay up until 3 or 4.

[kalvano]

LWR wasn't that bad, seriously school's not that bad, quit bitching all of you (who are bitching)

LRW sucks not because of the work, but because of the inane academic idiocy and bureaucracy that goes along with it.

[stratocophic]

LWR wasn't that bad, seriously school's not that bad, quit bitching all of you (who are bitching)

LRW sucks not because of the work, but because of the inane academic idiocy and bureaucracy that goes along with it.

My open memo research disagrees with you wholeheartedly

[dailygrind]

LWR wasn't that bad, seriously school's not that bad, quit bitching all of you (who are bitching)

LRW sucks not because of the work, but because of the inane academic idiocy and bureaucracy that goes along with it.

My open memo research disagrees with you wholeheartedly

it's sucked up most of my day. i'm totally doing a terrible job on some of this, just to get it out of the way. section award for best memo? fuckit, i want nothing to do with that.

[clintonius]

It's incredible how frustrating the research aspect is. That does not bode well for the long-term...

[JazzOne]

It's incredible how frustrating the research aspect is. That does not bode well for the long-term...

I'm actually really good at the research portion. I'd be happy to answer questions, unless you're working on a final with honor code implcations.

[clintonius]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I've actually turned out to be good at it, too -- but the first few hours of any given project usually have me tearing my hair out with frustration. I think it's just part of the game for me.

[kalvano]

I find the research pretty easy.

Texas Jurisprudence ----> Statutes --------> West Key Digest ---------> Shepherdize --------> Write.

[kalvano]

LWR wasn't that bad, seriously school's not that bad, quit bitching all of you (who are bitching)

LRW sucks not because of the work, but because of the inane academic idiocy and bureaucracy that goes along with it.

My open memo research disagrees with you wholeheartedly

I don't mind the work. Part of it. I actually kind of enjoy the research.

[keg411]

I like legal writing.

You're not alone .
My prof is really nice, which helps. In a lot of the sections the profs seem to take pleasure in demolishing memos.

[JazzOne]

I find the research pretty easy.

Texas Jurisprudence ----> Statutes --------> West Key Digest ---------> Shepherdize --------> Write.

I like to find federal cases too. Even though they aren't binding, they are often well reasoned, and they usually contain a full history of the relevant case law with citations. I snapped off a few of my moot court competitors with a federal case that explained the standard really well. Other than that, +1.

[kalvano]

I find the research pretty easy.

Texas Jurisprudence ----> Statutes --------> West Key Digest ---------> Shepherdize --------> Write.

I like to find federal cases too. Even though they aren't binding, they are often well reasoned, and they usually contain a full history of the relevant case law with citations. I snapped off a few of my moot court competitors with a federal case that explained the standard really well. Other than that, +1.

I look at them too, but I keep them separate. We were told would fail if we used federal cases as cites in a state law memo.

But West lists all the fed cases too, so if one is really on point, I'll take a look.

[clintonius]

We were told would fail if we used federal cases as cites in a state law memo.

Jesus H Christ, what?

[JazzOne]

I find the research pretty easy.

Texas Jurisprudence ----> Statutes --------> West Key Digest ---------> Shepherdize --------> Write.

I like to find federal cases too. Even though they aren't binding, they are often well reasoned, and they usually contain a full history of the relevant case law with citations. I snapped off a few of my moot court competitors with a federal case that explained the standard really well. Other than that, +1.

I look at them too, but I keep them separate. We were told would fail if we used federal cases as cites in a state law memo.

But West lists all the fed cases too, so if one is really on point, I'll take a look.

That's ridiculous. State judges respect federal opinions. I would never cite a Circuit opinion instead of a binding case, but if the reasoning is solid, I'm sure as hell going to mention it.

[Borhas]

If I was a state judge, I would wipe my ass with a federal opinion then secede my court from the union

/drunk idiot

[kalvano]

My LRW teacher is somewhat...set...in her ways.

As far as she is concerned, state courts do not care about anything other than state opinions from that state, except for Supreme Court cases. Period.

I know it's bullshit. If a federal case in a Texas federal court is directly on point, you'd be stupid not to use it. But it's not my class to teach.

I think she is concerned because of the special cite rules in Texas and people getting confused. Apparently, someone tried to cite Texas Jurisprudence as a source in a practice memo.

[JazzOne]

If I was a state judge, I would wipe my ass with a federal opinion then secede my court from the union

/drunk idiot

You could gag a maggot off a meat wagon.

[JazzOne]

My LRW teacher is somewhat...set...in her ways.

As far as she is concerned, state courts do not care about anything other than state opinions from that state, except for Supreme Court cases. Period.

I know it's bullshit. If a federal case in a Texas federal court is directly on point, you'd be stupid not to use it. But it's not my class to teach.

I think she is concerned because of the special cite rules in Texas and people getting confused. Apparently, someone tried to cite Texas Jurisprudence as a source in a practice memo.

I suppose if you're sure the case will remain in state court, you could take that attitude. I wrote a memo for my SA position last summer, and I included analysis of the federal opinions and how they differed from the state opinions. The case ended up getting removed.

[kalvano]

My LRW teacher is somewhat...set...in her ways.

As far as she is concerned, state courts do not care about anything other than state opinions from that state, except for Supreme Court cases. Period.

I know it's bullshit. If a federal case in a Texas federal court is directly on point, you'd be stupid not to use it. But it's not my class to teach.

I think she is concerned because of the special cite rules in Texas and people getting confused. Apparently, someone tried to cite Texas Jurisprudence as a source in a practice memo.

I suppose if you're sure the case will remain in state court, you could take that attitude. I wrote a memo for my SA position last summer, and I included analysis of the federal opinions and how they differed from the state opinions. The case ended up getting removed.

I can either do what real lawyers do and fail, or I can do it her way and get a B.

[JazzOne]

My LRW teacher is somewhat...set...in her ways.

As far as she is concerned, state courts do not care about anything other than state opinions from that state, except for Supreme Court cases. Period.

I know it's bullshit. If a federal case in a Texas federal court is directly on point, you'd be stupid not to use it. But it's not my class to teach.

I think she is concerned because of the special cite rules in Texas and people getting confused. Apparently, someone tried to cite Texas Jurisprudence as a source in a practice memo.

lol

Cite a law review article!

[JazzOne]

My LRW teacher is somewhat...set...in her ways.

As far as she is concerned, state courts do not care about anything other than state opinions from that state, except for Supreme Court cases. Period.

I know it's bullshit. If a federal case in a Texas federal court is directly on point, you'd be stupid not to use it. But it's not my class to teach.

I think she is concerned because of the special cite rules in Texas and people getting confused. Apparently, someone tried to cite Texas Jurisprudence as a source in a practice memo.

I suppose if you're sure the case will remain in state court, you could take that attitude. I wrote a memo for my SA position last summer, and I included analysis of the federal opinions and how they differed from the state opinions. The case ended up getting removed.

I can either do what real lawyers do and fail, or I can do it her way and get a B.

No, no, don't get me wrong. You should always follow the prof's instructions to the letter. I just think it's a crazy position to take. Then again, if your class is having trouble understanding the hierarchy of authority, I can kind of understand why she'd be particular about it.

[kalvano]

Some are. Some aren't. It's really not that hard until you get into "writ refused", "judgment affirmed", "n.r.e." and all the special cites. Even then, it's not too hard to work through.


I overheard one girl saying it took her almost an hour, but at least she was done researching the open memo.

I wanted to question her on that, but I held my tongue. I'm about 4-5 hours of research in, with about 40 cases printed up, and probably another 3 hours and 15-20 cases to go. It's flat-out impossible to research in an hour.