Languages
Pages
Legal
Legal Legal ResourcesResources and and
Study MaterialsStudy Materials
Introduction to First Year Introduction to First Year Legal ResearchLegal Research
August 2011August 2011
Sections 3Ai, 3Aii, 3Bi
Graham BatemanGraham Bateman
http://sites.law.lsu.edu/batemanlrclass/http://sites.law.lsu.edu/batemanlrclass/
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
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!