Find it Free and Fast: Government Records Edition
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
3 Total |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
3 Total |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
3 Total |
Buy This Course
OnDemand Video
Video Download
Course Book Download
or
Overview
FOIA Requests, Local Court Records, Agency Regulations, and More
Government agencies and public records are a treasure trove of information. To get what you seek, however, you'll need all the skills and experienced sleuth advice you can get! (You can't request something if you don't know it exists.) This practical guide will give you a rundown of what types of data is available, where and how it's stored, and how to obtain it free and fast. Help your attorneys and clients with hard facts that support claims and aid in negotiations - register today!
- Save time and improve your request's chances of success: know what type of records to request.
- Explore what you can find out about an individual in public records: from vital records to litigation history.
- Research public business records and industry statistics to spot trends.
- Improve your FOIA request outcomes with guidance from the pros.
- Get tips for tackling common roadblocks in obtaining data, including redactions, delays, and top excuses.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Locating and Accessing Federal Government Records
- State and Local Government Records: What You Can Find and How to Get it
- Navigating Court Records
- Tips for Communicating With Government Agencies
- FOIA Requests and Responses (With a Sample Request)
- Addressing Common Restrictions and Limitations
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
3 Total |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
3 Total |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
3 Total |
Select Jurisdiction
Agenda
-
Locating and Accessing Federal Government Records
- Land Records
- Business Entity Records
- Census Data and Federal Bureau of Statistics
- Agency Regulations and Rulings
- Federal Government Websites (Data.gov, etc.)
- Military Service Records
- Offline Resources: Libraries, Archives, Courthouses, and Government Offices
- Other Useful Federal Information Resources
-
State and Local Government Records: What You Can Find and How to Get it
- Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage)
- Property Records
- Voter Registration
- Criminal Justice Records
- Professional Licensing Records
- Offline Resources: Libraries, Archives, Courthouses, and Government Offices
- Other Useful Infomation Resources
-
Navigating Court Records
- Court Case Statistics
- Docket Sheets
- Case Files, Judgments
-
Tips for Communicating With Government Agencies
- Setting the Scope of Your Search (Dates, Names, Types of Records)
- Drafting and Submitting Requests (What to Include, Where to Submit)
- Follow-Ups and Denial Appeals
- Law Enforcement Contacts: Unique Considerations
- Navigating Regulatory Agencies, Finding the Right Person to Talk to
-
FOIA Requests and Responses (With a Sample Request)
-
Addressing Common Restrictions and Limitations
- Privacy Concerns
- Redactions, Witholding Information
- National Security Concerns
- Ongoing Investigations
- Lack of Authority to Provide Requested Information
- Providing Legal Justification for Requesting Certain Records
- Backlogged Processes and Delays
- Retrieval and Copying Fees
Who Should Attend
This intermediate level course is designed to provide practical skills necessary for navigating and obtaining government records for:
- Paralegals
- Legal Assistants
- Legal Support Staff
- Law Librarians
- Investigators
- Collection Agents
- Process Servers
- Other Professionals Conducting Legal Research and Investigation
Speakers
Speaker bio
Lisa Smith-Butler
is an associate professor of law at the Charleston School of Law. She teaches classes on torts, children and the law, workplace privacy, and advanced legal research. Ms. Smith-Butler served as the assistant dean and director of the law library and technology center at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At Nova Southwestern, she served as an associate professor of law, teaching advanced legal research and juvenile law in the law program and workplace privacy and technology in the master's degree employment law program. Ms. Smith-Butler also has served as the public services librarian at Georgia State University and as a librarian at a major Atlanta law firm. She has been in private law practice, and is licensed in Nebraska and Georgia. Ms. Smith-Butler is the co-author and editor of Law Librarianship in the 21st Century. She is active in several local, regional and national law library associations. Ms. Smith-Butler taught advanced legal research, and children and the law. She earned her B.A. degree from Hasting College, her M.L.S. degree from Clark Atlanta University, and her J.D. degree from Creighton University School of Law.
Speaker bio
Steven A. Torres
is a partner in the law firm of West Group Law PLLC. Since 1994, his areas of practice include municipal infrastructure, energy and environmental law, federal/state/local environmental and land use permitting, construction law, litigation, labor negotiation and litigation, arbitration/mediation, municipal governance, and legislation. Mr. Torres is nationally recognized in his practice area, and a frequent lecturer, guest speaker and teacher/mentor to other practitioners. He represents government and private industry in complex water, wastewater, utility, energy, solid waste, emerging technology, and public construction transactions and litigation. Mr. Torres earned his B.S. degree in computer science from Daniel Webster College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, at Suffolk University Law School.
Speaker bio
Patricia W. Holden
is an attorney with the law firm of Cipriani & Werner, P.C., where she practices in the areas of insurance coverage and insurance bad faith. She is a member of the firm's insurance defense group, as well as the Counsel on Litigation Management. Ms. Holden has had an experienced and varied insurance defense litigation practice. She has had substantial experience in automobile claims, product liability claims, premises liability claims, medical professional liability claims as well as toxic tort claims, first party benefit claims and subrogation. Ms. Holden earned her B.S. degree from Mount St. Mary's College, with Honors, Dean's List Beta Beta Beta; and her J.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and before U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second and Third circuits; U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, District of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Top FAQs
When you enroll prior to the live event date you will receive access to the live-streaming webinar which will allow you to interact with faculty in real-time.
With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.
Course reference materials are included with each course purchase in a downloadable PDF format.
Courses are available within your account. Simply login to your account and click on My Courses. If you require additional assistance please call our Customer Service Department at 800-793-5274.
Closed captioning is available for all online live courses. Attendees may enable the closed captioning functionality within the event room once they have accessed the event by simply clicking the "cc" button in the lower right of the event room.
Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. Please call out Customer Service Department to inquire about savings for your team at 800-793-5274.
The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account.
If you're a subscriber, you'll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.
Have more questions? Please Contact Us