Foundations of Legal Research and Writing

Carol M. Bast is Associate Professor in the Department of Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida. She has won several professional awards, frequently presents at legal and academic conferences, and is an active member of the American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects and the Legal Writing Institute. Her many published works include articles on legal research, legal writing, eavesdropping, and wiretapping, as well as Foundations of Law and Florida Courts, a textbook. Carol Bast earned an M.B.A. from University of Central Florida, a Ph.D. in Spanish from University of Florida, and a J.D. from the New York Law School. Margie Hawkins is a librarian with national law firm Holland & Knight LLP, and has expertise in computer-assisted legal research and the Internet. A member of the American Association of Law Libraries (A.A.L.L.) and the Orange County Bar Association, she also served on the Advisory Committee for the Valencia Community College Paralegal Studies Program for more than fourteen years. Ms. Hawkins received her Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Florida, and is a member of Beta Phi Mu, the international library and information science honor society. She holds undergraduate degrees in History and Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida.