Searching the Web Resolute Management March 31, 2004 Philadelphia, PA

1. Searching the Web Resolute Management March 31, 2004Philadelphia, PA David M. Governo Governo Law Firm LLC 260 Franklin St. Boston, MA 617.737.9045 Governo Law Firm LLC

2. Cookies and Internet Research Outline: 1. What is a cookie? 2. How are cookies helpful? 3. How can I control the use of cookies? 4. How do cookies affect internet research? Governo Law Firm LLC

3. Cookies and Internet ResearchWhat is a cookie? • A small file that websites store on your computer for future use. • Information is stored, so it does not have to be entered over and over again. • Logon and password information • Preferences • Cookies are convenient, but carry security risks. • Information that can be retrieved: • Logon IDs and passwords, credit card numbers and other personal info entered into online stores. • Information that can not be retrieved: • Documents on your hard drive. Governo Law Firm LLC

4. Cookies and Internet ResearchHow are cookies helpful? • When visiting sites that are used over and over again. • Cookies allow information to be entered once and follow you as you navigate the site. • Without cookies: • Websites could not remember any information that you enter • Each time a new page is loaded, it would look like the first time you visited a site. Governo Law Firm LLC

5. Cookies and Internet ResearchHow can the use of cookies be controlled? • To control your computer’s use of cookies Internet Explorer: Tools/Internet Options/Privacy • The privacy level can be adjusted • The highest privacy setting blocks all cookies. • The lowest setting allows all cookies. • The setting can be customized by selecting specific settings for certain websites. • Cookies can be allowed on sites such as LexisNexis and blocked on other sites. Governo Law Firm LLC

6. Cookies and Internet ResearchHow do cookies affect internet research? • Balance of Privacy vs. Convenience • The level of privacy required depends on each user’s specific needs. • Cookies are necessary for research sites such as LexisNexis to work efficiently. • The choice between adjusting the privacy setting and customization by website depends on each user’s preferences. • If a user does not enter much personal information on outside websites, there is less potentially harmful information in the cookies. Governo Law Firm LLC

7. Cookies and Internet Research • Conclusion • Control Cookies and Control your Privacy Governo Law Firm LLC

8. Researching Companies • Secretary of State Records • An ideal starting point for company research • Company information usually includes: • Legal name • Type of business entity • Location of principal offices • Officers • Holding companies or subsidiaries • Example: • Massachusetts: http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/corpsearchinput.asp Governo Law Firm LLC

9. Researching Companies • Company Websites • Use a search engine to find the company’s website • Important information can include: • Product/Services information • Locations • Affiliates • Financials • Employees Governo Law Firm LLC

10. Researching Companies • Regulatory and Licensing (Governmental) Agencies • Once the industry is known, these agencies provide more information about how the company does or should function • Information includes: • Standard industry practices • Necessary licenses • Rules and Regulations that must be followed • Example: • MA Department of Insurance, list of Licensed Companies http://www.state.ma.us/doi/Companies/companies_lists.html Governo Law Firm LLC

11. Researching Companies • Financial Information for Public Companies • http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml • The SEC’s EDGAR database contains all information that public companies are required to report by law. • Information includes: • Financial information • Assets • Subsidiaries • Officers • Officers’ compensation Governo Law Firm LLC

12. Researching Companies • Business Information websites • Dun and Bradstreet • http://www.dandb.com/us/ • Fee based service • Broad range of information • Financials • Credit Reports • Litigation Reports • Hoover’s • http://www.hoovers.com/free/ • Free and Fee based sections • Similar information to Dun and Bradstreet Governo Law Firm LLC

13. Researching Companies • Internet Based Telephone Books • http://www.anywho.com • http://www.whitepages.com • Basic information about a company • Especially useful if the company in question does not have a website. • Nationwide searches are possible with the power of the internet. Governo Law Firm LLC

14. Researching Companies • Conclusion • Company Sites • Public/Governmental Sites • Subscription Sites Governo Law Firm LLC

15. Legal Research • LexisNexis • http://www.lexis.com • Subscription based database updated daily. • Suited to a researcher with legal experience • Information available includes: • Laws • Statutes • Regulations • Cases Governo Law Firm LLC

16. Legal Research • Mealey’s (now part of LexisNexis) • http://www.mealeys.com • Subscription based case reporters. • Practice area or topic based articles and analysis. • Supplements include special reports offering even more in depth analysis of a specific topic Governo Law Firm LLC

17. Legal Research • Mealey’s Litigation Reports • Biweekly email updates by topic • Subscription based • Up to date information on: • Recent developments in important cases • Information on expert testimony • Changes in law • Other important developments in the field Governo Law Firm LLC

18. Legal Research • Lawyer’s Weekly • http://www.lawyersweekly.com • Subscription based newspaper • Editions for the nation and each state • Opinion and Analysis on: • Important recent cases and decisions • Changes in law • Practice Areas • Experts Governo Law Firm LLC

19. Legal Research • Find Law • http://www.findlaw.com • A good starting point for a researcher with less legal experience. • Research is arranged by topic and by the expertise of the user. • Information includes: • Articles about legal topics • Procedural information • Laws, statutes and regulations • Case law • Opinion and analysis of developments in various legal fields Governo Law Firm LLC

20. Legal Research • Virtual Chase Legal Resource Guide • http://www.virtualchase.com/resources/ • Solely devoted to providing resources for legal research • Information includes: • Index of sources for laws, statutes and case law • Index of sources for factual research • Tips and guides for assistance in conducting legal and factual research Governo Law Firm LLC

21. Legal Research • U.S. Laws and Proposed Bills • http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html • Database of all federal laws and bills being considered • Free service as an alternative to LexisNexis • Maintained by the Library of Congress • Useful to search text of laws bills and to identify laws in a subject area, or any changes being considered. • Also links to a searchable database of the U.S. Code of Regulations. Governo Law Firm LLC

22. Legal Research • State and Federal Laws, Regulations and Agencies • Each state has its own website, usually containing links to its laws and codes. • State agencies are also a good source of information for policies governing a certain industry (may not be on LexisNexis) • The Federal government has a similar site at http://www.first.gov Governo Law Firm LLC

23. Legal Research • Courts.net • http://www.courts.net • Extensive catalog of information and links to the court systems in almost all jurisdictions in the U.S. • Also includes links to opinions, rules of procedure, and other information. Governo Law Firm LLC

24. Legal Research • Conclusion • Lexis/Westlaw • Find Law • Virtual Chase • Governmental Governo Law Firm LLC