3 Client Scenario
Sample Problem and Client File
Our law librarians have used this scenario for several semesters of our Advanced Legal Research course (both asynchronous-online and in-person). We find that the problem is interesting to most students and requires you to access many types of sources that you might not have encountered in first-year research and writing courses. The scenario could be modified for different jurisdictions, or to address different student learning outcomes or course coverage.
The client file contains only basic facts; it consists of a client intake form, a letter, and an image that is at issue. Like real law practice, the research inquiry is guided by the client’s questions. In contrast to first year legal research and writing problems, which are usually narrowly defined, the broad questions in this client scenario require you to explore many types of resources, exercise critical thinking skills, and reflect on and revise searches based on information you encounter.
For more experiential/simulation practice, students could interview a simulated client (maybe a colleague or another student) to gather facts and formulate the research questions.
Letter from Brewer Ian Bunwell.pdf
PerezAnders_Beer Logo and Name.pdf
Additional Hypothetical Client Scenarios for Practice
Add a hypothetical research problem to support research instruction and student practice