Advanced Legal Research (6370)

Advanced Legal Research covers both federal and Michigan legal research resources. A host of formats and databases will be taught, to include Westlaw and LexisNexis (new and traditional interfaces), other popular subscription databases, free legal Websites, and print resources (when required by law firms). 

Students will become proficient in cost-effective research as well as how to effectively use a combination of online and print resources (integrated research). Emphasis will be placed on developing a research plan. Legal resources that will be taught include secondary sources, case law and digests, statutes, administrative law, court rules, court and practice forms, citator services, mass-citator services, ordinances, and legislative histories.

As this course relies heavily on the completion of hands-on exercises, students must own a laptop or loan one for the semester. Students are required to bring a laptop to every class -- no exceptions. In addition, there is a live final exam that requires the use of a laptop. Not having a laptop for the final exam will result in a zero grade for the exam. 

Prerequisites are Law 1080 ALTA OR Law 1070 Legal Writing and Research.

The course is restricted to 16 students.