Foundations for Legal Study Legal Research

Foundations for Legal Study
Legal Research: Tools for Practice
Gallagher Law Library
September 18, 2015
Goals for Today
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Introduce you to the Law Library
Review how to read a legal citation
Learn how to use legal research databases
Find study aids to help you prepare for class
University of Washington
Gallagher Law Library Website &
Students Page
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
http://lib.law.washington.edu/students.html
Start Here!
Our Online Resources
• Access is often restricted to UW students
“UW Restricted”
– Some require your UW NetID & Password
– Some require special passwords
• Bloomberg, LexisNexis, Westlaw
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Let’s Tour …
• LexisNexis
• Westlaw
• Bloomberg
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Legal Citations
http://gallagherlawlibrary.blogspot.com/2012/08/bluebook-technologies.html
Common Pattern
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Name or Title of Something
Volume #
Abbreviation of Source
Page #
(date)
Case Citation Format
Ganno v. Lanoga Corp., 119 Wash.
App. 310, 316, 80 P.3d 180, 182
(2004).
General Case Citation Format
Ganno v. Lanoga Corp., 119 Wash. App. 310,
316, 80 P.3d 180, 182 (2004).
Party 1 v. Party 2: Ganno v. Lanoga Corporation
Volume Number: 119
Reporter Name: Wash. App.
Page Number & Pinpoint Page Number: 310, 316
Parallel Cite: 80 P.3d 180
Year of Decision: (2004)
Use the citation to find a print volume…
Dubs likes the Gallagher Law Library too!
…or get the document online
Find a Case Online
Let’s find ….
Ganno v. Lanoga Corp., 119 Wash. App.
310, 80 P.3d 180 (2004).
Enter: 119 Wash. App. 310 or 80 P.3d 180
Start here: http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Law Review Article Citation
Format
Scott Hershovitz, Harry Potter and the
Trouble with Tort Theory, 63 STAN. L. REV. 67
(2010).
Find an Article Online
• Let’s find …
Scott Hershovitz, Harry Potter and the
Trouble with Tort Theory, 63 STAN. L. REV. 67
(2010).
Start here: http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Some articles are NOT on
Bloomberg, Lexis, or Westlaw
• Use the Law Library Catalog and
search by journal or publication title
• Use HeinOnline (excellent source of
law review articles)
Preparing for Class: Study Aids
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Legal Dictionaries
Hornbooks
Nutshells
Commercial Outlines
Legal Encyclopedias
Use Our Study Aids Research
Guide!
http://guides.lib.uw.edu/law/studyaids
Black’s Law Dictionary
What’s a certified
question?
Black’s Law Dictionary
Can we find the
definition of
“certified question”
using
Westlaw Next?
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Hornbooks
Nutshells
Briefly, how do torts relate
to environmental law?
Commercial Outlines
What are the
elements of
private nuisance?
Legal Encyclopedias
• Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS)
• American Jurisprudence (AmJur)
• Washington Practice
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Finding Books &
Materials in the
Law Library
• Law Library Catalog:
http://lib.law.washington.edu
• A Browser’s Guide to the
Reference Area
Let’s Find …
The Law of Torts written by Joseph W.
Glannon (2010).
• What is the location of this study aid?
• How can we find more books on this
topic?
http://lib.law.washington.edu/
Let’s Find …
Use the Law Library Catalog
http://lib.law.washington.edu/ to find
contracts study aids
• Hint: Do a keyword search for contracts study
aids – don’t forget the “s” in aids!)
• Sorted by: Relevance
• Where can you access Advice to a 1L from a
law professor podcast?
CALI
• Over 950 law school lessons and
podcasts covering 35 topics
– Web site: www.cali.org
– Free e-books from CALI eLangdell;
http://elangdell.cali.org/
– Many 1L course topics!
• Register at www.cali.org with UW School
of Law Authorization Code
Training!
Bloomberg Law, Lexis & Westlaw
• Check training calendars
• Watch for email
Need Help? Ask a Reference Librarian!
Email lawref@uw.edu
Visit the Reference Office
Call 206-543-6794
Attend librarian office hours or schedule an
individual appointment
http://tiny.cc/askGallagher
Time for a (virtual) tour !