Author: saltmeyer

Bloomberg Law allows you to:

• Search the federal dockets that are on PACER plus many state court dockets at once.
• Search dockets by keywords, and even search the full text of the court filings, where the filings are available. PACER just searches for party name, case number and nature of suit.  State court dockets usually just search for party name and case number.
• Access federal court documents without paying PACER’s 10 cents a page fee (although PACER allows $15/month free, and opinions are free).  This free access is granted to law students, faculty and staff.
• Access many briefs and other filings that are not on Lexis or Westlaw

See this short video, How do I use Dockets on Bloomberg Law?

A forthcoming article notes that many written opinions are available via court dockets which are not on Lexis or Westlaw. See Elizabeth McCuskey, Submerged Precedent, 16 Nevada Law Journal ___ 2016 (forthcoming)[SSRN].   Professor McCuskey states, “[s]ubmerged precedent thus raises the specter that docket-based research may be necessary in some areas to ascertain an accurate picture of the law itself, not just trial courts’ administration of it.”

 

Easily link to the major treatises on the legal subject of your choice using the library’s Major Legal Treatises by Subject guide.   The guide includes direct links to the treatises, including on Bloomberg Law, BNA, CCH Intelliconnect, LexisNexis and Westlaw.  Links to the catalog record for print items are also provided, although most of the titles listed are online.

If you want to do comprehensive research on a subject across all the platforms, this guide might help.   Additionally, if you plan to practice law in a certain area, you can become familiar with the major sources.

The law library’s survey:

• Takes less than 10 minutes to complete
• Students get a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card if they fill out the survey
• Will help make the library and library services better!  
• The survey is anonymous because we want your honest opinions, complaints and suggestions.

Take the 2016 Law Library Student Survey

The survey is open through Wednesday, March 30, 2016, so take the survey soon.

 

Lexis, Westlaw and Bloomberg Law all have certification programs which will help improve your research skills, as well as give you an impressive credential for your resume.  Many of these trainings can be completed online.  Here are some links with more information:

Bloomberg Law Certifications – http://www.bna.com/blaw-cert.

Lexis Certification – http://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/lawschool/prepare-to-practice/home.page (Includes an on-campus training.  Contact Jennifer Durkin for details)

Westlaw Certification – https://lawschool.westlaw.com/marketing/display/WT/2

 

The Law Library is conducting a survey of all Akron law students. Please take about 10 minutes to give us your feedback on the Law Library’s services, collection, and any related matters.  We will read every comment submitted, and we’ll do what we can to act on and respond to your feedback.

Take the 2016 Law Library Student Survey

For the Spring 2016 Akron Law Library Survey, we will award one prize of a $50 Amazon gift card.  After completing the survey, you’ll be able to enter the drawing for the gift card.  We will keep the survey open through Wednesday, March 30, 2016 and we plan to announce the student winner soon after this.

We look forward to hearing from you!