The way we use the internet today is leagues away from how it was being used even five years ago. In order to keep the pace, you need streamlined research skills that will make the internet an asset rather than a liability for your firm. How do your skills stack up? Do you know the best, most efficient ways to get what you need? Order today to find out how to harness the internet as an excellent resource.

1. How to Search Like a Pro
2. Finding Free Legal Research Sites and Free Case Law
3. Discover the Invisible Web
4. Government Internet Resources: Federal State and Local
5. Investigative Research: Public Records and “Publicly Available” Information
6. Finding “Practice” Tools
7. Locating Persons and Finding Background Information
8. Locating Companies for Due Diligence and Background Information

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. HOW TO SEARCH LIKE A PRO
   9:00 - 9:30, Darren D. Defoe
   1. What's the Difference Between a Search Engine and a Directory?
   2. How do Search Engines Really Work?
   3. Learn Boolean Logic to Create the Best Search Strategies for Finding Relevant Documents
   4. Which Search Engines are the Best?
   5. Learn Browser Tricks - the Power of the "Find" Function to Scan Web Pages Quickly
   6. Effectively Using RSS Feeds, Blogs and Podcasts
2. FINDING FREE LEGAL RESEARCH SITES AND FREE CASE LAW
   9:30 - 10:30, Darren D. Defoe
   1. Finding the Shortcuts to Legal Research: Free Legal Portals and Meta-Sites
   2. Finding and Using Free, Full-Text Case Law Sites
   3. Learn About the Free (Poor Man's) "Shepards"
3. DISCOVER THE INVISIBLE WEB
   10:45 - 11:30, Darren D. Defoe
   1. What is the Invisible Web?
   2. How Does it Differ From the Visible Web?
   3. Learn to Find "Invisible Documents"
   4. Where do Old Web Pages Go? Learn to Locate Them
4. GOVERNMENT INTERNET RESOURCES: FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL
   11:30 - 12:15, Darren D. Defoe
   1. Statutes, Bills and Legislative History
   2. Regulations and Agencies
   3. Find Court Opinions, Forms, Rules and Dockets
5. INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH: PUBLIC RECORDS AND "PUBLICLY AVAILABLE" INFORMATION
   1:15 - 2:15, Elaine Apostola
   1. Accessing Public Records
   2. Professional Licenses
   3. Criminal Records
   4. Vital Statistics: Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records
   5. Real and Personal Property Records
6. FINDING "PRACTICE" TOOLS
   2:15 - 2:45, Elaine Apostola
   1. Sample Briefs, Motions, Complaints and Settlements
   2. Sample Forms and Contracts
   3. Uncover Jury Verdicts
7. LOCATING PERSONS AND FINDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
   3:00 - 3:45, Elaine Apostola
   1. Phone Numbers and Addresses of Missing People
   2. Social Security Numbers
   3. Bankruptcies
   4. Neighbors, Relatives and Associates
   5. Mailing List Postings, Blogs, Etc.
   6. Attorneys, Judges and Experts
8. LOCATING COMPANIES FOR DUE DILIGENCE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION
   3:45 - 4:30, Elaine Apostola
   1. Company Web Sites
   2. Directories for Private, Public and Foreign Companies
   3. Stock Quotes - Current and Historical
   4. SEC Filings
   5. State Corporate Records/Registered Agents and Fictitious Business Names
   6. News and Information About Companies, Products and Executives
   7. Information From Government Agencies Regulating Companies

ELAINE APOSTOLA is the Principal Law Librarian of Public Services at the Maine State Law and Legislative Library in Augusta, Maine. She spent the past 23 years as a professional law firm librarian, first at Perkins Thompson in Portland, Maine, and then at Mirick O'Connell in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ms. Apostola earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin and her Masters in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston. She also spent five years working as a reporter and editor for United Press International in both Boston and Maine. Ms. Apostola maintains close ties with the academic world. Since 1996, she has taught both traditional and electronic legal research in the Northeastern University Paralegal Professional Program, Becker College in Worcester and at Bay Path College in central Massachusetts. Ms. Apostola is an active member of the American Association of Law Libraries and former board member of the Law Librarians of New England. She also served as an elected member of the Tantasqua Regional School Committee in central Massachusetts for 12 years. 

DARREN D. DEFOE is an instructor at Kaplan University in Portland, Maine, where he teaches various law courses, including legal research, legal writing, civil litigation and tort law. Mr. Defoe is also the chair of the paralegal program. He has spoken for lawyers and paralegals at continuing education seminars on topics related to the internet and legal research. He has also published papers on environmental issues, including "Act 250: The Economic Impact." Mr. Defoe earned his B.A. degree from the University of Maine and his J.D. and M.S.L. degrees from Vermont Law School. He is a member of the Maine State Bar Association.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com