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Course

Legal Research and Analysis

LAW-X400.03

Learn the fundamental tools and skills involved in legal research and analysis. Through and in-depth analysis of the sources of case law, statutory law, and administrative law, students learn the steps necessary to solve problems on both the Federal and California State levels. These steps include locating legal authority, reading and comprehending statutes and court decisions, interpreting legal authority and applying it to factual situations, and presenting the results in a memorandum of law.

Required Prerequisite: Foundations of Legal Communication & Research (LAW-40079). 
 

Course Format

This is a Live Online Synchronous course, with web-based class lectures scheduled to meet at published dates and times.  UC San Diego Extended Studies operates in Pacific Standard Time and therefore all class meetings and deadlines are held to Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Attendance is required for all meetings, regardless of the time zone in which you reside.  

Course Information

Live Online
3.00 units
$650.00
Notes:  

LexisNexis Membership Included

 

A limited time use LexisNexis Membership is required to completed this course. The membership fee is included in the course fee. Once enrollment in the course has been processed, students will be emailed the instructions on how to set up their accounts, 2-3 days prior to the start of the course. Students are required to have set up their accounts and be able to access them on the first day of class.

Early access to Lexis is not available: Instructions will not be sent to students more than 2-3 days before the start date of the course. 

Please note, enrollment processing can take up to 48 hours. Early enrollment is advised.

Get more information

This course applies to these programs

Paralegal Studies

Course sessions

Closed

Section ID:

E 00005461

Class type:

Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

Textbooks:

Required Textbook 1.) Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, 10th Edition, Author: D. Bouchoux, ISBN/ASIN: 9781543847581 Required Textbook 2.) The Little Book on Legal Writing, 2nd Edition, Author: Dworsky, ISBN/ASIN: 0837705606 Required Textbook 3.) The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, 22nd Edition, by Harvard Law Review, Columbia Law Review, Yale Law, ISBN/ASIN: 9798218574574. *LexisNexis Research Tool Subscription Fee Included in Course Fee.

Policies:

Withdrawal End Date:

10/09/2026

Note:

Attendance is required for all meetings. Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published dates and times (PST). You will have access to your online course on the published start date. No Meeting: 11/11/26

Schedule:

Date Day Start End
10/7/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
10/14/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
10/21/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
10/28/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
11/4/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
11/18/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
11/25/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
12/2/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
12/9/2026 Wednesday 01:00 p.m. 04:00 p.m.
Closed

Instructors:

Robert Wickman, M.M.L.I.S., J.D.
Robert Wickman, M.M.L.I.S., J.D.
Professor Wickman serves as the Reference and Outreach Librarian at the San Diego County Law Library. Previously, he was the Director of the Library at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he provided leadership in legal information services and library administration.

Before transitioning to academic law librarianship, Professor Wickman built extensive experience in the field of intellectual property, working with leading corporations including Qualcomm, Pfizer, and Life Technologies. His professional background combines expertise in legal research, information management, and intellectual property practice.
 
  • M.M.L.I.S., University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
  • J.D., Howard University School of Law
  • B.B.A., Temple University
Full Bio
Julia Dunlap, J.D.
Julia Dunlap, J.D.

Director of Legal Education, UC San Diego

Julia M. Dunlap, Esq., is the Director of Business, Legal, and Safety Programs for UC San Diego Extended Studies Business certificates, ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate Program, the Patent Law Certificate Program, and the OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Ms. Dunlap received her Bachelor of Art's degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley. She earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of San Diego, School of Law, and became an active member of the California State Bar in 1993. She is licensed to practice before California and Federal courts. In addition to her duties at UC San Diego, she is a sole practitioner specializing in estate planning. A lawyer by training but an educator at heart, Ms. Dunlap currently teaches Introduction to the Legal System, Foundations of Legal Communication & Research, and Legal Research & Analysis at UC San Diego Extended Studies.  She has played an active role in legal education for over 20 years and is a staunch supporter of the important role paralegals play in the legal profession. As a past president of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), Julia is considered an expert in the field of training and education of non-lawyers.
 

Full Bio
Closed

Section ID:

E 00005456

Class type:

Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

Textbooks:

Required Textbook 1.) Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, 10th Edition, Author: D. Bouchoux, ISBN/ASIN: 9781543847581 Required Textbook 2.) The Little Book on Legal Writing, 2nd Edition, Author: Dworsky, ISBN/ASIN: 0837705606 Required Textbook 3.) The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, 22nd Edition, by Harvard Law Review, Columbia Law Review, Yale Law, ISBN/ASIN: 9798218574574 **LexisNexis Research Tool Subscription Fee Included in Course Fee.**

Policies:

Withdrawal End Date:

10/16/2026

Note:

Attendance is required for all meetings. Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published dates and times (PST). You will have access to your online course on the published start date.

Schedule:

Date Day Start End
10/13/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
10/20/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
10/27/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
11/3/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
11/10/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
11/17/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
11/24/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
12/1/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
12/8/2026 Tuesday 06:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.
Closed

Instructors:

Julia Dunlap, J.D.
Julia Dunlap, J.D.

Director of Legal Education, UC San Diego

Julia M. Dunlap, Esq., is the Director of Business, Legal, and Safety Programs for UC San Diego Extended Studies Business certificates, ABA Approved Paralegal Certificate Program, the Patent Law Certificate Program, and the OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Ms. Dunlap received her Bachelor of Art's degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley. She earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of San Diego, School of Law, and became an active member of the California State Bar in 1993. She is licensed to practice before California and Federal courts. In addition to her duties at UC San Diego, she is a sole practitioner specializing in estate planning. A lawyer by training but an educator at heart, Ms. Dunlap currently teaches Introduction to the Legal System, Foundations of Legal Communication & Research, and Legal Research & Analysis at UC San Diego Extended Studies.  She has played an active role in legal education for over 20 years and is a staunch supporter of the important role paralegals play in the legal profession. As a past president of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE), Julia is considered an expert in the field of training and education of non-lawyers.
 

Full Bio
Bethany Ensz
Bethany Ensz
Bethany recently worked as a corporate paralegal and office manager for Breakwater Law Group, LLP. Prior to joining Breakwater, Bethany was with Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. She started her legal career with McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP (now Dentons). Bethany graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology, and earned a Master of Science in Legal Studies from the University of San Diego School of Law.  She earned her paralegal certificate from UC San Diego Extended Studies, where she was inducted into the LEX Honor Society.
 
Full Bio