Legal Resources Legal Resources and and

Study MaterialsStudy Materials

Introduction to First Year Introduction to First Year Legal ResearchLegal Research

August 2011August 2011

CasesCasesYou’ll be reading You’ll be reading thousands of them. thousands of them. But what are they But what are they exactly?exactly?

CasesCasesCases are, almost all of the time, Cases are, almost all of the time, written opinions issued by appellate written opinions issued by appellate courts (the courts above trial level). courts (the courts above trial level).

They can be as short as a few They can be as short as a few sentences. Other cases can go on sentences. Other cases can go on for hundreds of pages…but…for hundreds of pages…but…

You will be reading edited cases in You will be reading edited cases in casebooks casebooks

SuggestionsSuggestions

Where are the Cases?Where are the Cases?3 ways of getting case:3 ways of getting case:

Commercial services: Commercial services: Lexis or WestlawLexis or Westlaw

In print from a reporterIn print from a reporter

Increasingly online from Increasingly online from court websitescourt websites

What Are Lexis and Westlaw?What Are Lexis and Westlaw?

Both are owned by very big Both are owned by very big corporationscorporationsBoth Both desperatelydesperately want your business want your business after you graduateafter you graduateYou get unlimited free use in law You get unlimited free use in law school…not to mention the chance to school…not to mention the chance to win huge prizes.win huge prizes.

But…But… real world expenses can be real world expenses can be staggeringstaggering

StatutesStatutes

Statutes are laws passed by a Statutes are laws passed by a legislative body.legislative body.

All fifty states and federal statutes All fifty states and federal statutes are available in print & onlineare available in print & online

In The Library – on the 2In The Library – on the 2ndnd floor; floor; additional set of La. statutes 1additional set of La. statutes 1stst Floor Floor

Chronology of a StatuteChronology of a StatuteLegislation – bills, reports, sometimes Legislation – bills, reports, sometimes hearings documentshearings documentsSlip LawSlip LawSession Law (Federal: Statutes at Session Law (Federal: Statutes at Large)Large)Codification – this provides a subject, Codification – this provides a subject, rather than chronological rather than chronological arrangement…much easier to use. arrangement…much easier to use. Look for the indexes.Look for the indexes.

On The Federal LevelOn The Federal LevelThree iterations of Federal Statutes:Three iterations of Federal Statutes:

United States CodeUnited States Code: Official, : Official, Unannotated, and Unannotated, and rarelyrarely used. used.United States Code Annotated United States Code Annotated (USCA) and(USCA) and

and United States Code Serviceand United States Code Service (USCS)(USCS): : Unofficial, Annotated, and Unofficial, Annotated, and heavilyheavily

used.used.

Law ReviewsLaw Reviews

One or more law reviews One or more law reviews are produced by every law are produced by every law school.school.

They can be general or They can be general or subject-specific in nature subject-specific in nature (e.g., international law).(e.g., international law).

Virtually all are in printVirtually all are in print

Online: West, Lexis, Hein, Online: West, Lexis, Hein, websites. However…websites. However…

Online Law ReviewsOnline Law Reviews

Online coverage is highly variable.Online coverage is highly variable.

They may not be complete: Articles, They may not be complete: Articles, Tables, Graphs, photos often omittedTables, Graphs, photos often omitted

Hein most consistent with pdfHein most consistent with pdf

Law Reviews – Where do I get Law Reviews – Where do I get them?them?

Domestic law reviews – 2d FloorDomestic law reviews – 2d Floor

Foreign/international – 3d FloorForeign/international – 3d Floor

Hein Online – access via the library’s Hein Online – access via the library’s website. Moratorium/Titles varywebsite. Moratorium/Titles vary

Legal EncyclopediasLegal Encyclopedias

Two to choose from:Two to choose from:

American Jurisprudence 2d (Am Jur)American Jurisprudence 2d (Am Jur)

Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS)Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS)

They’re on the first floor of the They’re on the first floor of the LibraryLibrary

Legal DictionariesLegal Dictionaries

Other Sources You Need To Know Other Sources You Need To Know AboutAbout

Administrative codesAdministrative codes – rules and – rules and regulations from Federal and State regulations from Federal and State agenciesagencies

Federal – CFR and the Federal Federal – CFR and the Federal RegisterRegister

State – varies by state. Check with a State – varies by state. Check with a librarian for access.librarian for access.

Treatises, Looseleafs & Treatises, Looseleafs & RestatementsRestatements

Treatises Treatises

Loose leafsLoose leafs

RestatementsRestatements

HornbooksHornbooks

Study Aids?Study Aids?

Nutshells Nutshells

Understanding and Understanding and Concept SeriesConcept Series

Examples and Examples and ExplanationsExplanations

More “Study Aids”…More “Study Aids”…

Legal WritingLegal Writing

How to write examsHow to write exams

How to write briefsHow to write briefs

Commercial Outlines: use cautionCommercial Outlines: use caution– Emanuel'sEmanuel's– Case Notes Legal BriefsCase Notes Legal Briefs– Gilberts/Legalines case briefsGilberts/Legalines case briefs

Other Useful SourcesOther Useful Sources

Librarians!Librarians!

Good luck…Good luck…

and don’t hesitate to ask for help!and don’t hesitate to ask for help!