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 - 10:00, Thorin A. Geist and Tina Sunderland
   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. A Close Look at Google and Search Engines That "Think"
   6. Learn Browser Tricks - The Power of the "Find" Function to Scan Web Pages Quickly
   7. Managing Bookmarks
   8. Effectively Using RSS Feeds, Blogs and Podcasts
2. FINDING FREE LEGAL RESEARCH SITES AND FREE CASE LAW
   10:00 - 10:45 , Michele Puiggari
   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
   111:00 - 11:30, Michele Puiggari
   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, Michele Puiggari
   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 - 2:00, Thorin A. Geist and Tina Sunderland
   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
   2:00 - 2:45, Thorin A. Geist and Tina Sunderland
   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, Thorin A. Geist and Tina Sunderland
   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, Thorin A. Geist and Tina Sunderland
   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

THORIN A. GEIST graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 2005 with dual degrees in psychology and criminal justice. In 2007, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Montana School of Law. Mr. Geist is a member of the American, Montana (Child and Family Law, and New Lawyers sections) and Western Montana bar associations, the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Montana Mediators Association. He is admitted to practice before both the state and federal courts of Montana.

MICHELE PUIGGARI is the founder and owner of Puiggari Consulting Services, in Missoula. After earning her J.D. degree from the Catholic University School of Law, she started her own successful employment law practice, where she represented both employees and employers. Ms. Puiggari has provided basic HR legal consulting services; employment training for managers and employees; review and revision of employment policies and procedures; and employment investigation services. In addition to her busy law practice, she worked for the legislature and lobbied for children and women's issues. After moving to Montana, she became the Human Resources Director of a medium-sized, multi-state company headquartered in Missoula. Ms. Puiggari's new business offers HR consulting services focusing on employment policy development, employment training and resolving workplace discrimination complaints, including employment discrimination investigations.

TINA SUNDERLAND has over fifteen years of experience as a litigation paralegal.  During this time she has acquired a broad spectrum of knowledge in complex litigation, including medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability and insurance litigation. Ms. Sunderland also has extensive trial experience and is one of two certified trainers in Trial Director in Montana.  She has developed extensive processes and procedures and consulted with numerous law firms in converting from a paper based firm to paper-less firm. She enjoys researching and implementing new technology.  As co-chair of the Technology Committee of the State Bar of Montana she has twice attended the ABA Tech Show in Chicago. Ms. Sunderland has been very active in many organizations and has been a frequent guest speaker. She served eight years on the Executive Board for the State Bar of Montana Paralegal Section, with four years serving as chair. She is currently serving her 3rd term as co-chair of the State Bar of Montana Technology Committee. Ms. Sunderland has also served on the Paralegal Advisory Committee for the University of Montana College of Technology.

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