Tag Archives: Google Scholar

Free Legal Research With Google Scholar – Part II.

12 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Google Scholar, Internet, Research

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How To Conduct Free Legal Research Using Google Scholar In 2015 (Part 2), by Nicole L. Black, LLRX.com

http://www.bespacific.com/new-on-llrx-how-to-conduct-free-legal-research-using-google-scholar-in-2015-part-2/

Legal research is something lawyers do nearly every day. That’s why convenient, affordable access to legal research materials is so important. The advent of computer-based legal research was the first step toward leveling the playing field and providing solos and small firms with access to the incredible depth of materials once only available in academic or government law libraries or in the law libraries of large law firms. But it was web-based legal research that truly gave solos and small firms the tools they needed to compete-and at a price they could afford. Google Scholar is a prime example of this-it provides free access to a wide range of legal materials, all of which are accessible and searchable via a user-friendly interface. The trick is to set aside time to learn the ins and outs of conducting legal research on Google Scholar. . . .

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Free Legal Research With Google Scholar – Part I.

04 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Research

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How To Conduct Free Legal Research Using Google Scholar In 2015 (Part 1), by Nicole L. Black, LLRX.com

http://www.llrx.com/features/googlescholar2015p1.htm

It used to be that access to legal research databases cost an arm and a leg, but this was back in the good ol’ days when Lexis  and Westlaw had cornered the legal research market. How times have changed! Today you have more options than ever before, ranging from the old stand bys, Westlaw and Lexis, more affordable legal research options such as Fastcase and CaseMaker, and entirely free alternatives such as Google Scholar.

For many lawyers, Google Scholar is an incredibly appealing option since it’s free. I last wrote about Google Scholar back in 2012 and some of the features have changed, while others have been added. So that’s why I’m writing this updated two-part blog post series on Google Scholar. I’ll explain the ins and outs of using Google Scholar to conduct legal research, focusing on the basics in this post and then in next week’s post, I’ll highlight some of the more advanced features.

For starters, here’s what’s included in the Google Scholar database, as described on the ‘Search Tips’ page at Google Scholar. . . .

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Some of the Best, Free Legal Research Guides on the Internet – no, Wikipedia does not count.

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Case Law, Federal Law, Law Journals, Law Libraries, Law Reviews, Legal Directories, Research, State Law, Statutes

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Even when you or your firm have access to Westlaw or Lexis, you may still want or need access to free resources to do your legal research. 

Most, if not all, states provide a free website for state law (e.g., statutes, case law, state constitution, attorney general opinions, etc.). Perhaps the easiest route is to go to that state’s official government website. The state court’s websites use their own search engines – do not expect each to work the same as the others.

Here is another resource that will also lead you to state law: 50 States (http://www.50states.com/). (Click on the state, and scroll down to “Courts” and click on “Judicial System.” 

Below is a selection of websites that provide comprehensive links to state, federal and, in some instances, international law. 

Competitive Intelligence – A Selective Resource Guide – Completely Updated – September 2013, by Sabrina I. Pacifici, LLRX.com  http://www.llrx.com/features/ciguide.htm

How to Use Google Scholar for Legal Research, LawyerTechReview.com 
http://lawyertechreview.com/2011/how-to-use-google-scholar-for-legal-research/

Google Scholar – Guide Review of Google Scholar as a Legal Research Tool, by William Pfeiffer, About.com Law Practice Management
http://abt.cm/aZHa4s

HG.org – Legal Resources – http://www.hg.org/

Cornell University Law School – Legal Information Institute (LII) 
http://www.law.cornell.edu/

Duke Law – Legal Databases & Links –  http://law.duke.edu/lib/lresources

The Public Library of Law – http://www.plol.org/Pages/Search.aspx

George Mason University School of Law – Free Legal Research Sites 
http://www.law.gmu.edu/library/research

Washburn University School of Law
Washlaw – Legal Links and Directories  
http://www.washlaw.edu/directories/index.html

Georgetown Law Library – Free and Low Cost Legal Research Guide –
http://www.law.georgetown.edu/library/research/guides/freelowcost.cfm