Summer 2012 Lexis and Westlaw Access

During the summer months, both Lexis and Westlaw put students into a more limited class of service (usually around five hours of access time per month).

If you fall into a special category -- like participating in our Externship program, working on law review, or working with a professor as a research assistant -- you are eligible to extend your database privileges if you re-register your passwords.

For (original) Lexis, use the "Registering for Summer Access" page. (They provide two ways to do the same thing; you only need to pick one.)

If you've already converted to Lexis Advance, you do not need to do anything. You have automatically received an extension throughout the summer months.

Westlaw and WestlawNext users should go to the Summer Extension page and follow the directions there.

If you have questions, stop by the Reference Desk and ask for Nick or Chris.

Lexis Certification Training

LexisNexis Representative Scott Hite will be on campus Monday, February 16, through Wednesday, February 18, for LexisNexis Certification classes. All first-year students should check with their Legal Process professors for assigned dates and times. All classes will be held in the Library Seminar Room.

These classes are mostly for 1Ls. Scott will be back after Spring Break for further training for 2Ls and 3Ls.

Westlaw Certification and Prepare to Practice Training

Westlaw Reference Attorney Manager Jeremy Pischke will be on campus Tuesday, February 10, through Thursday, February 12, to provide Westlaw certification classes for the 1Ls and "Prepare to Practice" classes for everyone. Check with your Legal Process professor for your assigned date and time for certification training. If you're interested in the "Prepare to Practice" class, sign up at the Circulation Desk. All of these hour-long classes will be held in the Library Seminar Room.

Using CaseFinder ("Get REAL!")

If you're planning on practicing in Virginia, your firm may have a subscription to CaseFinder instead of Lexis or Westlaw. Learn how to use this legal research tool on Wednesday, February 11, at 4:30 pm. Meet Ethan at the Reference Desk, and he'll show you some tips on cost-effective research using this database.

Using Loislaw ("Get REAL!")

If you're not sure Lexis or Westlaw will be in your price range when you start practicing law, join Ethan this week for a discussion of an alternative legal electronic database: Loislaw. He'll start the class at 4:30 pm at the Reference Desk this Wednesday (February 4), and he'll show you how to create your own student account.

Using HeinOnline ("Get REAL!")

Our first "Get REAL!" (Research and Electronic-Assisted Learning) class of the spring semester will discuss HeinOnline. Learn what resources are available -- from primary sources to legal classics to international laws! Join Ethan at the Reference Desk on Wednesday, January 28, at 4:30 pm for a quick tour of this helpful electronic resource.

"Yellow Books" Now Online

If you've started looking for a job or a summer internship, you've probably run across the Leadership Directories (lovingly known as the "Yellow Books"). This series provides helpful directory information about law firms, federal agencies, and judicial positions. Now this great series is available electronically for all ASL students, faculty, and staff. Follow the link on our Electronic Databases page and look for the link to Leadership Directories. We even provide off-campus access for those students who need to use the directories at home.

Stop by the Reference Desk if you would like a quick "guided tour."