When evaluating a case, it is best to learn the legal issues before diving into the facts. This includes reviewing the relevant law. Many attorneys spend extensive time investigating facts without first understanding why those facts matter, which often leads to wasted effort on irrelevant details.
ISSUE BASED INVESTIGATIONS ARE MORE FOCUSED
Understanding the legal issues allows you to focus your investigation on what truly matters. You can ignore irrelevant facts and zero in on those that affect the outcome. For example, a document’s date only matters if the law makes it relevant. This approach also improves witness interviews and depositions, as you are better prepared to ask the right questions.
FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES WILL IMPROVE YOUR LITIGATION SKILLS
By focusing on learning the issues of a case you will also improve your litigation skills. Legal issues recur across cases. By consistently identifying issues and developing theory, themes, and methods of proof of the case. Over time you will strengthen core litigation skills. Over time, this disciplined, issue-focused approach leads to clearer strategies and more effective advocacy.
