LA102 36294 -- Legal Research

Online -- Spring 2006

West Resources

West Publishing Co. (now a part of the Thomson mega-publishing group) is the most important publisher of legal materials and produces the Westlaw electronic research service which we will be using in this class (the version of Westlaw used at MC is called Westlaw Campus Research). West supports its many products with a large number of high quality resources that are available online.

I.   QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES IN PDF FORMAT

Basic Legal research:

• Law School 2005: Getting Started with Online Research (7 pages): a more detailed reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Using the National Reporter System (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: How to Find Cases (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Using Secondary Sources (7 pages): a more detailed reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: How to Find Statutes (4 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
Westlaw:

• Using Campus Research (4 pages): a quick reference guide from the Customer Resources page at Westlaw Campus Research.
• Law School 2005: Using Westlaw to Write a Brief (4 pages): a quick reference card listed on the KeySearch page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Using Westlaw for Moot Court (4 pages): a quick reference card listed on the KeySearch page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
KeyCite:
• KeyCite at a Glance (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the KeyCite page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• A Graphical View of KeyCite Direct History (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the KeyCite page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Using KeyCite (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
KeySearch:

• Using KeySearch in westlaw.com (4 pages): a more detailed quick reference guide listed on the KeySearch page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Using KeySearch on Westlaw (2 pages): a quick reference guide listed on the KeySearch page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.

II.   DETAILED REFERENCE GUIDES IN PDF FORMAT

• Research Guide -- Westlaw Guide for Paralegals: Retrieving Documents on Westlaw (57 pages): a detailed reference guide listed on the Paralegals page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Westlaw Research Guide (26 pages): a detailed reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Using KeyCite in westlaw.com (42 pages): a detailed reference guide listed on the KeyCite page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Guide to Law Review Research (32 pages): a detailed reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page and downloadable from its product information page.
• Law School 2005: Winning Research Sills (198 pages): a detailed reference guide listed on the Law Schools page of the Westlaw Information User Guides page. Not available for download.

III.   HTML RESOURCES AND GUIDES

• The Interactive Maps page from paralegal.westlaw.com provides links to:
• An Interactive Map of the Federal Court System
• An Interactive Map of the National Reporter System

Note: In order to print HTML pages without having some of the text cut off on the right margin, you should set the margins on your browser. Click on File on the menu bar, then Page Setup. Set the left and right margins to 0.3 inches. Set the top and bottom margins to 0.5 inches.

• The Research Information heading from paralegal.westlaw.com provides links to the following HTML pages:
• The Finding and Using Cases and Statutes page, with links to the following HTML pages:
• Finding Case Law
• Finding Statutes
• The Finding and Using Secondary Sources AMJUR, ALR, Journals and Law Reviews page, with links to the following HTML pages:
• Finding Secondary Sources
• Secondary Law Sources - Including ALR and AmJur
• Search JLR tool
• The Research Tools page, with links to the following HTML pages:
• The Legal Research Pyramid
• An Overview of West's Key Number System with further linked pages:
• Finding Key Numbers
• Where Do I Find Key Numbers?
• The Key Number System: Yesterday and Today
• Explanation of Key Number Analysis
• Guide to Electronic Research on Westlaw
• Glossary of Terms
• Citation research.
• The Using Westlaw to Research Courses page, with links to the following HTML course outlines:
• Civil Procedure
• Using Westlaw to Research Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Property Law
• Tort Law
• Research a Moot Court Brief

IV.   POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

The West Instructional Aids Series page from paralegal.westlaw.com includes the following PowerPoint slide shows. Each presentation can be downloaded as a whole (may take a long time to download) or in the sections (preferred approach) shown below.
• Process of Legal research (29 MB) (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction (6 slides)
• From Facts to Issue (10 MB) (16 slides)
• Controlling Statute (10 MB) (9 slides)
• Expanding Research (9 MB) (23 slides)
• Identifying Cases to Cite (13 slides)
• Ensuring Currency and Validity (6 slides)
• Conclusion (4 slides)
• The National Reporter System (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction (10 slides)
• The National Reporter System (17 slides)
• Editorial Case Enhancements (14 slides)
• The Topic and Key Number System (9 slides)
• The Topic and Key Number Digests (8 slides)
• Topic and Key Number Research (10 slides)
• Custom Digests on Westlaw (5 slides)
• KeyCite (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• Cases: KeyCite History
• Cases: KeyCite Citing References
• Limiting Citing References
• Table of Authorities
• KeyCite notes: Expanding Research
• KeyCite for Statutes
• KeyCite Alert
• The Topic and Key Number System (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction (12 slides)
• The Topic and Key Number System (13 slides)
• Topic and Key Number Digests (5 slides)
• Finding and Using Relevant Key Numbers (24 slides)
• KeySearch (18 slides)
• Secondary Sources (10 MB) (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• American Law Reports
• Legal Encyclopedias
• Restatements of the Law
• Legal Periodicals and Indexes
• Texts
• Law Dictionaries
• Uniform Model Laws
• Headnotes, Digests, Annotations
• Terms and Connectors Searching (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• Terms
• Connectors
• Fields
• Statutory research (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• The Legislative Process
• Anatomy of a Statute
• Statutory Research: In Print and Online
• Updating Statutory Research: KeyCite
• Expanding Research: Legislative History, Case Law and Secondary Sources
• Administrative Law Research (22 MB) (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction: The Role of Agencies
• Federal Register (10 MB)
• Code of Federal Regulations (10 MB)
• Federal Administrative Decisions
• Advanced Westlaw (10 MB) (click here to download entire group)
• Power Searches
• Advanced Key Number System Research
• Advanced KeyCite
• Advanced westlaw.com Features and Related Products
• Cost-Effective Online Research (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• Pricing Options
• Cost-Effective Searches
• Cost-Effective Databases
• Printing Options
• Other Cost-Effective Services
• Westlaw for the Practitioner (click here to download entire group)
• Introduction
• Legal Forms
• Practice Guides
• Litigation Databases
• News Databases
• Company & Securities Information
• Public Records

V.   FLASH PRESENTATIONS AND TUTORIALS

The Westlaw.com tour page from westlaw.com includes links to the Westlaw.com Tour (full tour). Clicking on the links takes you to specific sections of the tour:
• Introduction (full presentation)
• Customize westlaw.com to meet your needs (full presentation)
• Friendly ID
• My Westlaw
• Full-page view
• Hourly or Transactional Pricing
• Find the Right Database -- Fast! (full presentation)
• Select a Database
• Smart-database entry
• Database Wizard
• Time-Saving Search Features (full presentation)
• Using KeySearch
• Retrieving a Document Using Find
• Using Recent Queries
• Using recent and favorite databases
• Research Trail
• Most Cited Cases
• Related Information -- It's just a click away (full presentation)
• Information Tabs
• Table of Contents Center
• Link Viewer
• PeopleCite
• Checking Citations in KeyCite (full presentation)
• KeyCite
• KeyCite Locate
• KeyCite Alert
• KeyCite Notes
• Table of Authorities
• Printing and Saving Documents (full presentation)
• "Other" (full presentation)
• Technical Requirements

VI.   INTERACTIVE TUTORIALS

The Westlaw Information Training Options page links to a number of highly interactive courses in groups intended for different customer markets. Not all lessons are applicable to MC students, because commercial customers access Westlaw through individual userIDs and passwords, and can customize the Westlaw interface. Note that each lesson in a course may take some time to download.

• The Westlaw Training on the Web page offers the following short courses:
• Using Westlaw has 13 interactive lessons. It is similar to the Westlaw Fundamentals course in the paralegal and new associates training programs. The lessons shown in boldface type are helpful to MC students, who use the Campus Research version of Westlaw:
1. Accessing Westlaw
2. Getting started with your jurisdictional content
3. Finding documents by title or citation (18 slides-—take this lesson)
4. Searching with Natural Language (24 slides-—take this lesson)
5. Searching with Terms and Connectors (26 slides-—take this lesson)
6. Searching with the Table of Contents (23 slides-—take this lesson)
7. Searching with KeySearch (15 slides-—take this lesson)
8. Using KeyCite to verify good law (24 slides-—take this lesson)
9. Using KeyCite to expand legal research (24 slides-—take this lesson)
10. Printing your search results
11. Saving your research
12. Personalizing your tab
13. ResultsPlus New: Now for Statutes!
• WestCheck.com (one lesson, 39 slides--take this lesson)
• Westlaw StatutesPlus
• Pleadings and Motions
• Cost Effective Research
• Using Dockets
• Westlaw for Litigators
• The Westlaw Paralegal Training Program page offers the following short courses. Westlaw Fundamentals, Case Law and Statutes are similar to the courses for new associates, with the exception that paralegals can take a 10-question test after each course and earn a certificate:
• Westlaw Fundamentals has 11 interactive lessons. Take the lessons shown in boldface type:
1. Accessing Westlaw (15 slides)
2. Getting Started with Your Paralegal Content
3. Personalizing your Tab
4. Finding documents by title or citation (17 slides)
5. Finding Documents using WestFind&Print (13 slides)
6. Searching with Natural Language (22 slides)
7. Searching with Terms and Connectors (34 slides)
8. Searching with KeySearch (17 slides)
9. Searching with the Table of Contents (23 slides)
10. Printing Your Search Results
11. Saving Your Research with Trail
• Researching Case Law has 8 interactive lessons:
1. The Westlaw Advantage -- Case Law (__ slides)
2. Finding the Rule of Law in Editorial Enhancements (__ slides)
3. Verify the Case is Good Law with KeyCite (__ slides)
4. Expand Your Research Using KeyCite Citing References (__ slides)
5. Expand Your Research Using Most Cited Case or Key Numbers (__ slides)
6. Expand Your Research Using ALR (__ slides)
7. Stay Current with KeyCite Alert (__ slides)
8. Stay Current with WestClip (__ slides)
• Researching Statutes and Legislative History has 10 interactive lessons:
1. Using the Search Center (__ slides)
2. Browsing Statutes on Westlaw (__ slides)
3. Result List and Links Tab (__ slides)
4. Verify and Expand Research with KeyCite (__ slides)
5. Links Tab -- Full-Text Document (__ slides)
6. Links Tab -- Cases & Analysis (__ slides)
7. Links Tab -- Legislative History (__ slides)
8. Links Tab -- Reports and Related Materials (__ slides)
9. Links Tab -- Statutes and Administrative (__ slides)
10. PastStat Locator (__ slides)
• Using Westlaw for Litigation Tasks
• The Westlaw New Associates Training Program page offers the following short courses. Westlaw Fundamentals, Case Law and Statutes are similar to the courses for paralegals, except that they do not offer a final test and a certificate:
• Westlaw Fundamentals has 11 interactive lessons:
1. Accessing Westlaw (__ slides)
2. Getting Started with Jurisdictional Content
3. Personalizing your Tab
4. Finding documents by title or citation (__ slides)
5. Finding Documents using WestFind&Print (__ slides)
6. Searching with Natural Language (__ slides)
7. Searching with Terms and Connectors (__ slides)
8. Searching with KeySearch (__ slides)
9. Searching with the Table of Contents (__ slides)
10. Printing Your Search Results
11. Saving Your Research with Trail
• Case Law has 8 interactive lessons:
1. The Westlaw Advantage -- Cases (20 slides)
2. Finding the Rule of Law in Editorial Enhancements (__ slides)
3. Verify the Case is Good Law with KeyCite (__ slides)
4. Expand Your Research Using KeyCite Citing References (__ slides)
5. Expand Your Research Using Most Cited Case or Key Numbers (__ slides)
6. Expand Your Research Using ALR (__ slides)
7. Stay Current with KeyCite Alert (__ slides)
8. Stay Current with WestClip (__ slides)
• Statutes has 13 interactive lessons:
1. Using the Search Center (__ slides)
2. Browsing Statutes Online (__ slides)
3. Result List and Links Tab (__ slides)
4. Verify and Expand Research with KeyCite (__ slides)
5. Improved Readability (__ slides)
6. Using the Notes of Decision to Find Cases (__ slides)
7. Locating Statutory Analysis (__ slides)
8. Legislative History -- Bills, Amendments and Notes (__ slides)
9. Legislative History -- Reports and Related Materials (__ slides)
10. Statutory References (__ slides)
11. Administrative Documents (__slides)
12. Using PastStat Locator (__ slides)
13. 50 State Surveys (__ slides)

Specific subject-area tutorials in the new associates training program include the following:

• Bankruptcy
• Patents
• Securities
• Tax
• Employment
• Business Law
• Real Estate