LAWS 8130 Advanced Legal Research

Advanced Legal Research teaches practical and adaptable legal research skills for an increasingly complex information landscape. Students will learn to approach research questions with critical thought and to construct well-reasoned, thoroughly supported arguments. Through hands-on exercises that reflect examples from both the transactional and litigation spheres, students will grapple with the complexities of legal authority and learn the most efficient tactics for identifying the best secondary sources and most relevant primary law for a given research inquiry. These tactics will include time-tested strategies on subscription platforms such as Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg Law, as well as free sites like Congress.gov and Regulations.gov. Students will also learn to analyze the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including how to leverage them in an effective and ethical manner. Students should consider alternative or supplemental enrollment in topic-specific research courses. Consult EagleApps or the Law Librarys website for current offerings.