Table of Contents

• Author: Beau Steenken, Tina M. Brooks
• Pages: vii-xi

vii

Table of Contents

About the Authors .............................................................................................. i

About eLangdell Press ....................................................................................... ii

Notices & Permissions ..................................................................................... iii

Table of Contents ................................................................................................. vii

Preface ................................................................................................................ xii

The United States Legal System ....................................................................... 1

1.1 Learning Objectives for Chapter 1 ....................................................... 1

1.2 Introduction to Researching the Law ................................................... 2

1.3 Federalism ................................................................................................. 3

1.3.1 Origins of American Federalism ................................................... 4

1.3.2 Impact of Federalism on Legal Research ..................................... 7

1.4 Separation of Powers and Sources of Law .......................................... 9

1.4.1 Constitutions .................................................................................... 9

1.4.2 Statutes ............................................................................................. 10

1.4.3 Judicial Opinions ............................................................................ 11

1.4.4 Administrative Regulations .......................................................... 13

1.5 Hierarchy of Authority ......................................................................... 13

1.5.1 Primary v. Secondary Authority .................................................. 14

1.5.2 Mandatory v. Persuasive Authority ............................................. 14

1.5.3 Determining Weight of Authority ............................................... 14

1.6 Concluding Exercises for Chapter 1 ................................................... 18

1.6.1 Introductory Hierarchy of Authority Exercise .......................... 18

1.6.2 Intermediate Hierarchy of Authority Exercise .......................... 19

1.6.3 Advanced Hierarchy of Authority Exercise ............................... 21

1.7 Recommended CALI Lessons for Further Practice ........................ 23

Constitutions & Statutes .................................................................................. 24

2.1 Learning Objectives for Chapter 2 ..................................................... 24

2.2 Constitutions & Statutes ....................................................................... 25