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This guide provides supplemental resources for students working on the LRW writing projects and should be used in conjunction with the Legal Research Strategy Guide and the reading materials posted in your Canvas Course modules in weeks six, seven, and eight.
If you would like to sign up for additional library and vendor trainings please visit:
Database Training
To learn more about the different legal research platforms visit:
Research Strategy
Research Strategy
To review research strategy please visit:
You can track your progress using:
Handouts
- Starting with a Case or Statute You've Been GivenA Lexis resource on the One Good Case Method
Organization
The following can be used to help organize your research:
Secondary Sources
Secondary Sources
Use the following drop down menu to view GIF files that demonstrate how to find specific secondary sources in Westlaw and Lexis.
Legal Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Lexis Dictionary
Running Time: 12 seconds
Westlaw Dictionary
Running Time: 19 seconds
Westlaw Encyclopedias
Running Time: 23 seconds
Treatises
Lexis Treatises
Running Time: 13 seconds
Westlaw Treatises
Running Time: 25 seconds
American Law Reports (ALR)
Lexis American Law Reports
Running Time: 12 seconds
Westlaw American Law Reports
Running Time: 18 seconds
Law Reviews & Journals
Restatements
Lexis American Law Reports
Running Time: 10 seconds
Westlaw American Law Reports
Running Time: 23 seconds
Westlaw & Lexis Handouts
- Rely on Secondary Sources FirstLexis Nexis handout on starting with secondary sources.
- Retrieving Secondary SourcesWestlaw Edge handout on locating relevant secondary sources.
Primary Authority
Statutes
Case Finding
Westlaw & Lexis Handouts
- How to Retrieve and Search for CasesWestlaw Edge guide to locating cases
- How to Use the Key Number SystemTips for how to navigate the Westlaw Edge digest system
- Find Influential Cases with Ravel ViewExploring the Lexis Plus Ravel View
Advanced Searching
Westlaw & Lexis Handouts
- How to Search with Boolean Terms and ConnectorsWestlaw Edge handout on advanced search tools.
- Using Search Commands and Connectors at Lexis AdvanceLexis handout on advanced search functions.
Tips for Specific Advanced Search Functions
Updating Your Research
Updating Your Research
Westlaw & Lexis Handouts
- How to Check Your Citations Using KeyciteInformation on updating your research with Westlaw Edge
- Be Confident in Your Cases with Shepard'sInformation on updating your research with Lexis Plus
When to Stop Writing
Westlaw Precision [New!]
Westlaw Precision Resources
Ask Your Librarian
Librarian Instructors
Feeling stuck? Contact your library instructor.
Section 1
Lesliediana Jones
Section 2
Kyle Courtney
Section 3
Michelle Pearse
Section 4
Jocelyn Kennedy
Section 5
Catherine Biondo
Section 6
Debbie Ginsberg & Juan Andres Fuentes
dginsberg@law.harvard.edu
jfuentes@law.harvard.edu
Section 7
AJ Blechner
Getting Help
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Ask Us! Submit a question or search our knowledge base.
Chat with us! Chat with a librarian (HLS only)
Email: research@law.harvard.edu
Contact Historical & Special Collections at specialc@law.harvard.edu
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