Research

What Does Halloween Have in Common with Your Legal Practice RSW Classes?

You can get LP credit towards fulfilling your RSW requirements by taking this specially added class this Saturday, October 24.  You’ll learn new legal research skills as you work your way through each of the questions in the Halloween Info Hunt.  At the end of class, just drop your completed entry form in the raffle drum at the reference desk and you’re entered to win great pretty good prizes at the drawing on Tuesday October 27 at 5:50 outside the Library.   You need not be present to win but why not show up and share in some Halloween sweets.  More details about the Info Hunt are available on the Library’s Home page.  You do NOT need to register to attend Saturday’s class and you are encouraged to enter the Info Hunt even if you don’t attend Saturday’s class.

The class will be in room L203 in the Library from 2:00-2:40 p.m., this Saturday October 24.

No costumes required.

The Haunted Halloween Info Hunt is Back!

Happy Halloween from the Mendik Library!

As an early Halloween treat, here’s your opportunity to WIN one of more than a dozen great study aids, texts, Lexis points, and NYLS Swag!  Just answer any 3 of the 6 Haunted Halloween Info Hunt questions.  Answer all 6 and we’ll double your chances to win by adding a second entry for you. Your answer doesn’t need to be perfect—just close!

Click here to access the questions.  Each slide includes just one question, along with step-by-step instructions to get you to the answer.

Print this PDF answer sheet (or pick up a copy at the Reference Desk) and drop it in our Reference Desk Raffle Drum by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 27.  Drawing will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 5:50 p.m. right outside the library.

There’s a Form for That!

Need to draft a contract, motion, pleading, or some other legal document and don’t know where to start?  Don’t re-invent the wheel because . . . there’s a form for that!

Practicing lawyers often use forms when drafting standard legal documents.  Legal forms can be found on the Internet, on subscription databases and in print.  Because there are so many places you can look, we suggest you start with the Mendik Library’s Legal Forms guide; it will direct you to sources that provide forms for a variety of practice areas.

When using a form, remember that it is important to review all relevant laws and rules.  Forms are not etched in stone and should be tailored (and updated) to conform to your particular case!

 

Study Aids

Did you know the Library has a selection of study aids that some students find helpful in preparing for final exams?  These materials are designed to supplement – not replace – your own outlines and class notes and readings.  To find general information on major study aids along with specific information on study aids for various subjects, check out the Library’s “Study Guides” Research Guide,  which can be found by selecting the Research Guides link on the left side of the Library homepage.

Also, shelved separately in the Reserve area, we have a collection of titles from Gilberts, Black Letter, Emanuel and more!

Remember, a supplement, not a substitute.

Free E-Book Provides Overview of Emerging Law Office Technology

The former director of the ABA’s Legal Technology Resource Center  recently published an e-book, Law Practice Technology: An Introduction for Law Students, that introduces law students to current law office technology.  Targeting law students interested in starting their own practice, the e-book covers cloud computing, calendaring, security, training, document management, speech input to create documents, intake and conflicts checking, and technology to assist with discovery.  It’s short enough to read or browse quickly and it links to additional internet resources. We recommend checking it out!

Course Registration for Legal Research Classes

Course registration for 2015-2016 has begun. It’s time to put together your schedule for the next academic year. The ability to find the legal material you need to interpret and analyze is critical. Effective research skills are vital to all students engaged in any type of legal writing, as well as to those who are clerking, participating in internships, and entering legal practice. We hope you will consider taking a research class or two during law school. NYLS offers upper division research skills courses designed to give students the opportunity to enhance their skills and become more efficient and confident researchers. Each semester a 3-credit course and two 1-credit classes are offered. The Foreign & International research class is a 2-credit course.

Our schedule for 2015 -2016 includes:
LEGAL RESEARCH: PRACTICAL SKILLS (1credit, Fall ‘15 and Spring ‘16. This 1-credit course reviews and builds on the research skills introduced in the first year to help students refine their skills and learn shortcuts. It is taught on four Saturdays during each semester.)
LEGAL RESEARCH: SKILLS FOR THE DIGITAL WORLD (3 credits, Fall ‘15 and Spring ‘16. This 3-credit course reviews and builds on fundamental research skills as well as introducing more advanced techniques. Students have more time to concentrate on understanding various research sources and practicing their skills.)
LEGAL RESEARCH: PRACTICAL SKILLS: Foreign & International (2 credits, Fall ‘15. This course is an introduction to the major sources and research techniques used in Foreign & International Law research.)
LEGAL RESEARCH: PRACTICAL SKILLS: Intellectual Property (1 credit, Spring ‘16. This 1-credit class reviews and builds on fundamental research skills using sources that focus on Intellectual Property Law.)​

Attention Legal Practice Students

Winter is nearly over and spring is just around the corner. If you are in LP, this means the deadline for satisfying your RSW requirement is coming closer and closer.

To avoid being left out in the cold, please don’t wait until the last minute to register for the classes you really want to take.

In addition to our proven winners, the library has added three new Research Skills Workshops to this semester’s lineup:

Premium Legal Research Sources beyond Bloomberg Law, Lexis Advance & Westlaw Next

  • Review of the Legislative Process
  • Secondary Sources

To get more details and to register for the classes of your choice, please visit http://www.nyls.edu/library/for_students/library_research_classes/ .