About this Guide
This guide will help you to identify and use legal resources when researching U.S. Federal law. Each tab includes a short overview of the subject, links to databases, websites, books, and other resources accessible through the library.
For further help with your research, please contact the Law Library.
New Books
General Electronic Resources
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Hein OnlineFull text of primary and secondary sources of federal law. Especially useful for historical research.
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Nexis UniSearch for federal case law.
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ProQuest CongresssionalCongressional reports and hearings; federal legislative histories; and Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports.
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Bloomberg LawLaw students & faculty only. See also: library guide to Bloomberg.
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Lexis+Law students & faculty only. See also: library guide to Lexis.
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Westlaw EdgeLaw students & faculty only. See also: library guide to Westlaw.
Secondary Sources
Secondary resources are an excellent place to start when researching an unfamiliar topic, or when your research question is not specific enough to make searching primary legal sources efficient. Many legal treatises, encyclopedias, journals, and law reviews are available electronically in the resources highlighted above.
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LLSDC's Legislative Source BookThe Law Librarians' Society of Washington, DC provides a series of thorough guides to researching various aspects of Federal law, including Congressional records, regulations, and statutes.
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Hein OnlineJournals, law reviews, and other secondary materials.
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American jurisprudenceCall Number: KF154.A2 (Reference)Publication Date: 1962-Encyclopedia of national law. "A modern comprehensive text statement of American law, State and Federal."
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American Law Reports : FederalPublication Date: 2015-Shelf range: F-122
Articles on Federal legal questions. -
Corpus juris secundumCall Number: KF154 .C56 (Reference)Encyclopedia of national law. "A complete restatement of the entire American law as developed by all reported cases."
Research Guides
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Using the Law Library: A Guide for Educators - Part I: Untangling the Legal SystemThis article by Professor Hilyerd provides a guide to understanding the American legal system and finding key materials.
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Basic Legal Research by Call Number: KF240.S585 2018ISBN: 1454894016Publication Date: 2018Shelf range: Reserve Section
Clear, step-by-step instruction in the basics of legal research. -
Federal Legal Research by Call Number: KF240.F48 2012ISBN: 9781611631227Publication Date: 2012Explains how to conduct research in the U.S. Constitution, federal cases, statutes, administrative regulations, and secondary sources. -
Specialized Legal Research byCall Number: KF240.S684 1987ISBN: 0316136255Covers legal research in nine specialized substantive areas: Securities Regulation, UCC, income tax, copyright, labor, environmental & land use, admiralty & maritime, immigration, and military law.
