Background: Chang is again creating research exercises to be used as training materials for new paralegals in
the firm. The exercises focus on how to search for relevant cases on Westlaw, and how to use additional
features on Westlaw. She asks you to complete the exercise so you will be familiar with it and can assist her at
paralegal training sessions.
Part A
Instructions:
Number each section as Part 1 + number of your answer for each question. Do not copy/paste questions with
answers.
Begin this search on the Westlaw home page.
- Look for the jurisdiction box to the left of the orange search box:
https://learn.umuc.edu/content/enforced/267455-005805-01-2182-OL1-6380/Jurisdictions%20box.jpg?
_&d2lSessionVal=UL3tBVoKoxej2GPWnN8DQycFa
Click on “all state” and “all federal”
Type "lemon law" (including the quotation marks) into the GSB. That should open the “overview” page
Look at the column on the left that lists search results
What is the number shown next to Cases? - Redo the jurisdictions to search only federal sources:
to do this, in the jurisdiction box click on the hyperlink All State and All Federal to reveal a pop-up menu that
looks like this:
https://learn.umuc.edu/content/enforced/267455-005805-01-2182-OL1-6380/Jurisdictins%20pop%20up.jpg?
_&d2lSessionVal=UL3tBVoKoxej2GPWnN8DQycFa
Deselect All States (Tip: Click “save” after you uncheck All States, then click on the orange search button
again.)
What is the number now shown on the left for cases? - Click on Cases.
Scroll down the results list to Keegan v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., an opinion issued in 2012 by the U.S.
District Court for the Central District of California.
What is the full and correct Bluebook citation for this case? Tip: Consult Table T6 (BB) / T11 (IB) for words in
case names that must be abbreviated. - Return to the Westlaw home Browse page.
Under Cases by State, click Maryland
Click on All Maryland State Cases
Type "lemon law" into the GSB
What is the full and correct Bluebook citation for the fourth case that appears when results are sorted “by
relevance”? Tip 1: If you have done the search correctly, this will be a state, not federal, case; make sure that
in the jurisdiction box, “Include Related Federal Content” is not selected. Tip 2: When citing Maryland state
cases, cite only the regional reporter. Don't cite the official reporter, either alone or as part of a parallel citation.
Part B
Instructions:
Number each section as Part B + number of your answer for each question. Do not copy/paste questions with
answers.
This question involves identifying an issue from a fact pattern and finding a court opinion that is directly
relevant to that issue. Read the fact pattern and respond to the questions that follow.
Facts: McBrown’s Shoppette is a small grocery store located in a small town in southern Maryland. Hiram
McBrown, the store owner, has consulted with your supervisory attorney about a lawsuit filed against the store
by a patron, Mary Bubonic, who claimed she was wrongfully detained for shoplifting in the store.
McBrown states that Bubonic had gone through the check-out line, placed her items back in her shopping cart,
and was walking out the front door to her car when one of his security officers stopped her in front of other
patrons. The security officer loudly demanded to see her sales receipt, and opened her bags in to check each
item on the receipt. The security officer was a new employee who believed Bubonic likely stole something
because she had acted “shifty” when looking at items in the electronics department.
McBrown acknowledges there was no probable cause to stop Bubonic; he is concerned about the store’s
liability for false imprisonment caused when his security officer detained Bubonic. - Summarize in one-sentence the liability issue in this case. Start the issue statement with the phrase, “The
issue is whether…” - Using the GSB and limiting your search to Maryland state cases, find a Maryland case from the Court of
Appeals that is directly relevant to this issue. Cite the case in Bluebook format.