Just got a PR release from LexisNexis about a search functionality called “Search by Topic.” This new method permits a search within a topic area, retrieving all relevant sources by jurisdiction. This is the converse of the more traditional method of picking a jurisdiction or authority and constructing a search that hopefully encompasses the pertinent aspects of law. According to the release:

A common concern among attorneys conducting legal research is that they may not be constructing their search correctly.
The fear is that if a search is not constructed correctly, key pieces of information may be left out.

Search by Topic addresses this fear by changing the way searching works on LexisNexis. Instead of choosing the source and typing in search terms, Search by Topic flips the process and prompts you to choose a topic from the extensive Search by Topic taxonomy. Once you’ve chosen your topic and jurisdiction, Search by Topic will automatically show you all the relevant sources. All you have to do is check the sources you want, and you can run a search even without typing in search terms.

If you are only interested in caselaw, you can use our Search by Headnote functionality and pull up headnotes and additional cases pertaining to the topic you’ve chosen.

This new feature resides under the Search tab at Lexis.com and all of the traditional features are available. You can download a free white paper on Search by Topic here. You can register for a free 20 minute webinar to see the new search method here. Happy Hunting!

Since I believe that it is only a matter of time before these become ubiquitous, I thought I might update all on the newest offering from another e-reader company, iRex, reported on Gizmodo today. The highest-end  model, the SW, offers wi-fi, bluetooth and 3G. It should for the anticipated price tag of approximately 9 Benjamins. For extra fun, read the Gizmodo comments, they are always so very, very entertaining.

While I am at it, I might as well mention the highly anticipated release of Plastic Logic’s Reader, a nicely- packaged, svelte “sheet” with a flexible, touchscreen that can display annotatable PDF’s and Office docs. Check it out here and here; the latter link includes a video. With the ability to annotate and a Jenny Craig- physique, this one might be the one for me (depending upon price).

Irex: iRex Promised a “New Era in Digital Reading,” but They Deliver the 1000 Series

I am helping to write an article on long term care insurance for submission to Tax Advisor magazine. While perusing their submission requirements, I found this little outline of tips for effective writing. While I am not sure about all of them, there are some good ideas worth considering. I like the suggestion of preparing an outline first and waiting until the end if you are having difficulty drafting your opening paragraph. Polish only after you have gotten your thoughts down on paper. Begin with simple concepts and proceed to more complex ones. I really like this one: avoid “pompous” words and phrases that you would not normally use in a conversation – in other words, speak plainly. To this end, the author suggests dictating the first draft. Watch out for excessive use of quotes and write an effective conclusion.

If tax professionals can write in a clear, effective and orderly manner, then anyone can!

I am helping to write an article on long term care insurance for submission to Tax Advisor magazine. While perusing their submission requirements, I found this little outline of tips for effective writing. While I am not sure about all of them, there are some good ideas worth considering. I like the suggestion of preparing an outline first and waiting until the end if you are having difficulty drafting your opening paragraph. Polish only after you have gotten your thoughts down on paper. Begin with simple concepts and proceed to more complex ones. I really like this one: avoid “pompous” words and phrases that you would not normally use in a conversation – in other words, speak plainly. To this end, the author suggests dictating the first draft. Watch out for excessive use of quotes and write an effective conclusion.

If tax professionals can write in a clear, effective and orderly manner, then anyone can!