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- Basic
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- LRW
- Foundations
- Litigation *updated*
- Transactional *updated*
- Prepare to Practice
Basic Certification
Learn the fundamental Westlaw tools and techniques for effective research:
- Plain-language searching, filters, and Precision Search
- Discover various types of secondary sources and how to find them
- Westlaw's annotations to find cases, statutes, and other authorities
- Streamline your research with shortcuts, like Copy with Reference
- KeyCite to validate your findings and expand research.
Intermediate Certification
Amplify your research skills with Westlaw tools that will help you work more efficiently and competently:
- Learn how to search using the Key Number System
- Use KeyCite tools like the red-striped flag, Cited With technology, and advanced Citing References
- Leverage statutory research tools like Notes of Decisions, Context & Analysis, and Graphical History
- Find sources and get up to speed quickly with the Secondary Resource Index and Practical Law
- Take advantage of Outline Builder and Quick Check to link your research to your writing assignments.
Advanced Certification
There is always something new to discover and master when it comes to Westlaw:
- Learn how to quickly run precise searches using terms & connectors and field searches
- Delve into Westlaw's legislative history tools to find and use regulations.
- Uncover new developments in the law and quickly understand the procedural posture of a case.
- Utilize Folder Analysis to discover missed issues and Graphical History to retrace your steps
- Access court documents for useful insights on drafting, and explore legal forms for examples.
Legal Research & Writing Certification
An introduction to legal research & writing, the core skills for all future attorneys:
- Learn the basics of legal research & writing and how they are practiced by students and attorneys
- Explore the various types of legal analysis frameworks and writing styles
- Understand the core components of case briefs and the briefing process
- Recognize the need for properly formatted legal citations
- Discover how to effectively research and draft a legal memorandum
Essential Legal Research Certification
An introduction to Westlaw and the essential elements of legal research
- Create searches and refine search results
- Utilize Secondary Sources
- Learn the anatomy of cases and statutes
- Employ annotations in cases and statutes to expand research
- Introduce Citators and use KeyCite to validate authority
Advanced Legal Research Certification
Techniques designed to increase the depth, breadth and quality of legal research
- Construct Terms & Connectors searches
- Employ annotations in cases and statutes to expand research
- Leverage the statutory indices and tables of contents
- Research regulations and when to use them
- Perform Legislative History research
Litigation Research Certification
An overview of trial practice and research techniques for all future attorneys.
- Gain trial preparation skills, including strategy and evidence presentation techniques.
- Understand jury selection and the importance of voir dire processes.
- Learn to draft and argue motions, and understand trial objections.
- Comprehend appellate court structures and standards for reviewing trial court decisions.
- Master appellate brief writing, including research and argument construction.
Transactional Research Certification
An introduction transactional practice for all future attorneys.
- Transactional drafting principles, document types, and the role of negotiation in deals.
- Key transactional vocabulary, due diligence, and the importance of precedent documents.
- Utilizing technology like Westlaw for research, drafting, and ensuring compliance.
- The lifecycle of transactional documents from pre-drafting to finalization and execution.
- Crafting complex clauses, avoiding common pitfalls, and adhering to ethical standards.
Prepare to Practice Certification
Prepare students to bridge the gap between law school and practice
- Understand the business of law, and the role research plays
- Utilize different methods of billing and tracking time
- Employ practice tools to avoid conflicts and missed deadlines
- Research both time-efficiently and cost-effectively
Foundations of Legal Research
Understand the legal system and how to put a research plan into action.
- An overview of the legal system, precedent and types of authority.
- Build effective research plans
- Identify gaps in legal knowledge and overcome them
- Construct legal arguments utilizing different types of legal authority
Sample Classes
Not sure what to assign? Check out these sample classes.
Getting Started
with Westlaw
Students will learn the workings of the American Legal System and the power of precedent types of legal authority and the basics of Westlaw.
First Semester:
Research Memo Essentials
Students will prepare and execute research plans, identify and resolve knowledge gaps, and carry out intermediate-level research on Westlaw.
Second Semester:
Advanced Techniques
Students will be challenged to apply advanced research skills, such as terms & connectors, and adjust their techniques to suit private legal practice.
