Prepare for Summer Research Classes
May 12-15, 2009
Library Computer Training Lab, Room 334
This program will help you review legal research basics and cover advanced topics in preparation for your summer job. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you will review print and electronic sources, learn about free and reliable Internet sites, and learn cost-effective research techniques. Although we recommend attending all sessions, you may sign up for individual sessions to meet your needs this summer. Certificates will be available for all successful participants.
If you can't attend one of these classes consider getting together with some friends and signing up for Training on Demand.
Summer Research Assistants: These sessions are not a substitute for the library's Research Assistant Orientation and Training in late May/early June, but are a good review of basic research techniques. More details about research assistant training will be available during the orientation.
Spaces are limited. Please signup for the sessions you would like to attend. Please register by May 8.
PROGRAM |
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May 12, 2009 |
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| 2:00-3:00pm | Can You Find P.L. 110-97?
Do you know the difference between session laws and codes? Are you comfortable finding a law by name, like the Age Discrimination Act? Learn how to find new laws and update old laws. |
| 3:15-4:15pm | How a Bill Becomes a Law (and Finding the Hard Copy) If you want to know the background to a law how do you find what is available and where the documents can be located. |
May 13, 2009 |
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| 10:00-11:30am | Brush up Your Case Law Research Skills
Finding case law is a common and important legal research task for law students and one you will rely upon as a legal practitioner. The session will cover the numerous elements to consider when starting a case law research project and how to select the best case law research resources. |
| 1:00-2:00pm | 20 Questions the Partner Might Ask You Get me Youngstown. Looks at sec. 302 of the Immigration Act. Get me the regs. Don't be caught flatfooted when someone asks you for something they think you should know this summer. We have polled your colleagues, and these are questions they were asked in their summer jobs. |
| 2:00-3:30pm | Working with the Government: Regulatory Research DOJ, EPA, FTC, FCC, IRS: Alphabet soup, or federal agencies?!? Review the regulatory process, how to find information about the agencies, techniques for locating federal regulations, and where to find agency decisions. |
May 14, 2009 |
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| 10:00-11:00 | 20 Questions the Partner Might Ask You Get me Youngstown. Looks at sec. 302 of the Immigration Act. Get me the regs. Don't be caught flatfooted when someone asks you for something they think you should know this summer. We have polled your colleagues, and these are questions they were asked in their summer jobs. |
| 1:00-2:30pm | What is a Docket Sheet? Help.... This session will cover the most frequently relied upon databases for litigation research. Learn how to use Lexis, Westlaw, PACER and free information on the web for litigation tasks. |
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Secret Resources of State Practitioners
How do lawyers know where to find the law for their state? What if you need court rules? Where is it best to start when you don't know an area of law? We will look at state specific resources including practitioner-oriented materials, formbooks, continuing legal education (CLE) materials and loose-leaf services. |
May 15, 2009 |
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10:00-11:30am |
Tax Law, Environmental Law, Securities Law: Doing a Specialized Practice this Summer? Learn about the specialized resources available for many practice areas. CCH, BNA, Social Law? These are but a few databases that you may encounter at your practice setting this summer. During this session, you will explore these databases via hands on exercises and learn how these databases can save your time and your clients' money. |
| 2:00-3:30pm | What if You Can't Use Lexis or Westlaw? Many firms have limits on using Lexis or Westlaw, or don't have them at all. Let us introduce you to some of the alternatives: Loislaw, Casemaker or Fastcase? These databases are the three primary low cost alternatives to Lexis and Westlaw available at many law firms. In this session, you will be introduced to these databases via a research hypothetical and then you will receive a sample research project that you may conduct using one of these databases. Users without a Loislaw login should sign up for one in advance of the session at the Loislawschool site. Law school passwords will be available for Casemaker and Fastcase. |
Last updated: May 2009