Legal Analysis and Writing, 2E

Providing students with an in-depth knowledge in the fundamentals of legal analysis and writing, this text details the operation of elements used in the analysis and writing process. Its contents are national in scope and are designed for students who have completed the introductory legal assistant courses. In addition to explaining basic legal principles, elements and tools, the text shows how to apply these principles, especially in difficult areas of legal analysis and writing that are not given extensive coverage in other texts. Some of these topics include statutory analysis, case law, case law briefing, key facts, issue identification, stating the issue, case law application and counteranalysis, legal correspondence, legal research memoranda, and court briefs. Each chapter outlines a hypothetical fact situation and discusses examples of concepts or principles to illustrate how application is made. Ancillary materials including online resources and a Web site offer teaching tools for instructors and activities for students.

William Putman was an instructor in the Legal Assistant Studies Program at Central New Mexico Community College in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as the Paralegal Studies Program at Santa Fe Community College, in Santa Fe, New Mexico for ten years. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and has been a member of the New Mexico Bar since 1975.