What is the function of Shepardizing?

• A. Verifying current validity of authorities and how they were treated.
• B. Drafting pleadings.
• C. Calculating deadlines.
• D. Summarizing case law.

Answer: (A)

Shepardizing is the process of checking whether a case or other authority remains good law by tracing how it has been treated in later opinions and sources. This helps you confirm current validity and understand the authority’s judicial history—whether it’s been cited favorably, overruled, distinguished, or criticized. In practice, you look up the case in Shepard’s to see subsequent treatment and any negative history, ensuring you rely on authorities that are still authoritative. The other listed tasks aren’t what Shepardizing does: drafting pleadings, calculating deadlines, or merely summarizing case law are separate activities; Shepardizing specifically focuses on the ongoing vitality and treatment of authorities.