LexisNexis “Get Cases” Application

The first step I took, in test-driving the LexisNexis “Get Cases” Application, was to input my username and password.  After successfully logging on, I input a citation (“18 USC 924”) and clicked “Get a Document” – seeing as how this and Shepardizing were my only two search options.  This search yielded three results, all of which gave direct links to the statute itself.

Using the same citation, I then clicked “Shepardize.”   I was provided with a warning that the citation I provided has received negative treatment and that my search yielded over 20,000 results.  Naturally, I was told to restrict my search.  Although Shepard’s is used as both a finding tool and validation tool, when trying to restrict my search after clicking “Shepardize,” I had a lot of difficulty getting anything back in terms of results.  Ultimately, what I discovered was that this application works best with explicit citations – not necessarily keywords, case names or Boolean searches.

To test this, I input a random case citation (131 F.2d 313) and, from the home-screen, clicked on both “Get a Document” and “Shepardize.”  This time, I received results for both searches.

I found this app’s functionality and usability as a legal research tool to be rather adequate.  Although it has restrictions when it comes to generalized legal research, this app could prove to be essential to any attorney who needs to look up specific information regarding a case and/or statute.  Because this application works best with specific citations, an attorney or other legal professional who needs to quickly reference a specific issue in a case or statute can access that law by using this app.  You are able to instantly review case law – including the rules, the Court’s reasoning, and the legal issues at hand.  In addition, to help evaluate the results you receive, you are then able to use LexisNexis’s Shepard’s system to get information regarding the treatment of a specific case, statute, etc.

In comparing legal research on phones/tablets to “traditional” technologies (i.e. laptops and desktops), I think that we are very lucky to have such amazing portable research tools available to us as legal professionals.  Although this particular application does not provide every tool that would be available to any Lexis subscriber using their laptop, it is only one of many apps out there.  LexisNexis, alone, has several applications (the majority of which are free to download):  Lexis Advance, eBooks from LexisNexis, CourtLink, lexis.com Mobile, LexisNexis Get Cases, LexisNexis Welcome Center, etc.

To summarize, LexisNexis’s Get Cases Application is a great and essential tool for any legal professional to learn how to use.  Not only does it provide someone with a mobile legal research tool, but users are able to access an incredible amount of information that could aid any attorney in an “on the spot” or ambiguous legal question.

~Madeline Gould, Class of 2013~

1L? There’s a LibGuide for That…

With the new semester just days away and our 1L orientation well underway, Charlotte Law classrooms are filled again and the school is bustling with excitement.  It seems like a fantastic time to point a finger at one of our newest LibGuides, Commonly Used 1L Resources.

This LibGuide is filled to the brim with tips, tricks and a variety of print and electronic resources hand selected by Charlotte Law students to help you survive your first year in law school.

Here you’ll find not only online materials specifically targeted to your 1L needs and books available through our library, but how-to-guides, tutorials, quick reference cards, specialized research guides and so much more…

Westlaw, TWEN, LexisNexis and CALI questions?  We’ve got you covered.  There’s even a collection of amusing law school videos to peruse when the stress quotient ratchets up too high and the sweet release of laughter is needed.  Check out this gem from George Washington University’s Law Review below…

So to all of our new students – enjoy the beginning of your semester, and be sure in the coming years to capitalize on all of the support the library can offer you on your journey!

~Ashley Moye~

Zimmerman’s Research Guide: It’s Not Just for Librarians

              Zimmerman’s Research Guide is a free encyclopedia for legal researchers.  In existence for over ten years, the guide is actually a collection of topical guides.  The guide for each subject consists of a summary accompanied by lists of print and electronic resources, including links to both free internet sources and specific LexisNexis  and Westlaw databases

                Andrew Zimmerman, a law firm librarian, conceived of the idea for a research guide after he noticed a senior librarian colleague’s “little black book.”  She claimed that the binder held over twenty years of tips, resources and her own accumulated wisdom.  Zimmerman began his own notebook, which he referred to as his “Reference Guide”   and eventually the manual moved to an online format.   Zimmerman claims that the guide is both a work-in-progress and a collaborative effort.  He freely credits a number of law librarians for their contributions.  Furthermore, he frequently edits and updates the guide himself and encourages individuals to contact him with suggestions, additions and criticisms.  Zimmerman also invites the participation of individuals who are interested in developing or revising entries.

                One may access the guide alphabetically by topic or by entering a keyword.   It’s now possible to be alerted to changes and additions to the Guide by following the ZRG Blog or by subscribing to its RSS feed.  When faced with an unfamiliar topic, Zimmerman’s Research Guide should be one of the first sources you should consult.

~Susan Caterall~

A Hidden Treasure… a la LexisNexis

During the last visit from our LexisNexis representative, my curiosity and interest were piqued beyond belief when I was graced with a brief demo of LexisNexis^® for Microsoft Office.  Horrifyingly enough, this isn’t a new product – which only serves to make me feel out of the loop and like a failure as a librarian.  Hence I’m taking the opportunity to share this treasure with all of you, thus redeeming myself as a professional.

LexisNexis^®for Microsoft Office is available for both PC and Mac users, and allows you to research and write at the same time within your Word document and analyze your inbox messages and attachments with just one click.

Here’s some highlights of its functionality:

• One click to analyze your emails and documents – within Outlook and Word you now have the ability to search content and resources from LexisNexis, the open Web and customer files
• Read your references in context –  LMO identifies all cited references in your Word document and automatically pulls all of those sources into a virtual stack of documents so you can read these side by side with your original.  You can also extract your citations and create a list for ease of viewing
• Index your working document with hyperlinks to relevant information such as background information, Shepard’s reports and signals and the full-text of cited authority

Check out this demo of the product and ooh and aah appropriately…

Sound to good to be true?  Wait until you hear this – the word on the street is that future updates to LMO will include automatic Bluebooking.

So you want the download now, right?  LexisNexis^®for Microsoft Office is a download available on the LexisNexis site - simply log in and scroll towards the bottom of your screen until you see “Download Tools.”

But what if your Lexis password is inactive this summer?  Check out our earlier blog posting on registering for summer access.  You can get access for the vague reason of “advancing research skills” – which incidentally includes downloading and playing with LMO.

Keep your eyes open during the fall – LexisNexis^® for Microsoft Office will be incorporated into several Lexis trainings throughout the semester.  In addition, one on one appointments are always available for individual assistance or a more in-depth training on Lexis for Microsoft Office itself.  Contact Charlotte’s Lexis Representative Carmela Orsini (carmela.orsini@lexisnexis) for more information or if you have any issues registering for summer access.

~Ashley Moye~

Problems with Lexis Nexis Online

We’ve been having some issues with our Lexis student accounts & as it turns out this is a technical problem that all law schools are experiencing currently.  If you’re having issues with the database and its display, check this out!

As a work around they recommend the following upon signing on to Lexis Nexis:

1. Go to “Change Menu”

2. Select “Lexis-Nexis Law School Menu (Charge Per Search)”.  I have been assured that we will not actually be charged per search!

3. Press “Set”.

Hopefully this will suffice until Lexis fixes the problem!

~ Brian Trippodo~

LexisNexis & Westlaw Summer Access

Just as a reminder, LexisNexis and Westlaw provide only limited access to students during the summer between late June and August 1st. However, students wishing to use their LexisNexis and Westlaw student accounts for a qualifying academic purpose may register to extend their access through the summer. If you did not request an extension from Westlaw or LexisNexis, your access will be denied.  Full access for continuing, non-graduating students will be restored on August 1st. LexisNexis and Westlaw strictly prohibit the use of student accounts for commercial purposes.

LexisNexis Summer Access

Lexis passwords can be extended for academic purposes over the summer at the Law School welcome screen.  Choose Account Help > Manage My Account > Summer Access Registration.

You must certify one of the following academic purposes to be granted full summer access:

• Class preparation and assignments;
• Research associated with moot court or law review/law journal;
• Research associated with pursuing a grant or scholarship;
• Service as a research assistant to a professor (either paid or unpaid);
• An unpaid internship, externship or clinic position for school credit;
• Clerkship for credit; or
• Bar review.

If you do not register for summer access, your LexisNexis student ID will be limited to career materials as of June 30th. Graduating students may extend their accounts to August 1st.  Graduating students whose employment has been deferred or who are pursuing public interest employment should considering applying for access through the LexisNexis ASPIRE program.

If you have any questions about LexisNexis summer access, please contact LexisNexis Technical Support at 800 45 LEXIS (53947)

Westlaw Summer Access

Summer access to Westlaw can be requested online at: http://lawschool.westlaw.com/registration/SummerExtension.aspx.

You may extend your Westlaw student password for summer use for the following academic purposes:

• Summer law school classes (use for law review competition, written work requirement, LLM paper or SJD dissertation);
• Law review or journal work;
• Project for a law school professor;
• Moot Court
• Unpaid non-profit public interest internship/externship or pro bono work required for graduation (does not include courts and government agencies).

If you have any questions about Westlaw summer access, please contact Westlaw Technical Support at 1-800-Westlaw.

- Lyn Batty -

Lexis looks different….?!?

This October LexisNexis is rolling out a few new enhancements to their system to librarians and faculty members.  Students should be on the lookout for the new enhancements in the future.  If you’re a long time Lexis user, here is a breakdown of the how to get back to the old Lexis interface (Big thanks to our Lexis Rep for the information!): 

• When Preview Access is launched, your lexis.com ID(s) will be defaulted to the new lexis.com user interface (UI). You can still access the previous lexis.com UI by deselecting the option in lexis.com Preferences. This option will only be available until the full launch date. To change from the new UI back to the previous UI: Click Preferences in the upper right corner of the page. The Preferences page appears. (1)
• Uncheck the “View lexis.com using the new interface” option located on the right side of the page. This will revert the interface back to the previous lexis.com user interface. (2)
• Click Set in the lower right corner of the page. (3)
• To switch back to the new interface, simply follow the same steps but check the option “View lexis.com using the new interface.” (4)

Breaking News: Orientation LibGuide Now Available!

Access the Library Orientation LibGuide Today!

Don’t forget to complete the certification (located at the end of the tab section) in order to be able to use the CSL Law Library in the Fall.

How well do you know your U.S. Civics?  Test yourself, and find out.

A Step by Step Roadmap to LP Research Labs

FAQ: How do I sign up for Research Labs and Westlaw/LexisNexis Training?

Part I: Research Labs

Step One:  Go to lawschool.westlaw.com

Step Two: Sign in with your Westlaw username and password.

Step Three: Go to TWEN and select “Add A Course”. The research labs are named by section, professor, and librarian.

Step Four:  Select “Sign Up Sheets” in the lower left side of the screen:

Step Five: Select a time that works best for you.

Remember that your days and times may be different from the screenshot above. Each lab is only 30 minutes long.

Part II: Westlaw and LexisNexis Training.

Westlaw and LexisNexis is a separate course on TWEN. You can sign up to the course using the same pattern as above.

Please sign up for 1 Westlaw Training session and 1 LexisNexis training session.

NOTE: Make sure you do not sign up for these trainings at the same time, because they will be held in two different locations.

In total you will be in the library for 1 hour – 30 minutes for Westlaw training and 30 minutes for Lexis training.

The Westlaw training will be conducted in Room 244 and the Lexis training will be conducted in the Library Computer Lab.

If you are a day student DO NOT sign up for any of the evening sessions of the Westlaw/Lexis trainings.  Those slots (5:00-7:00) are reserved for evening students ONLY!

If you have any questions please contact the reference desk: AIM: CSLReference, 704-971-8573,

M-Th 9:00 – 7:00, F 9:00 – 5:00, Weekend: 12:00 – 6:00

-Tom Hemstock-

Managing Your Charlotte School of Law Library Account Online

What can I do online?

Using the account management features of the Charlotte School of Law Library catalog, you can do any of the following online:

• View a list of the items currently checked out to you and their due dates

• Renew eligible items

• Check the status of hold requests

• See a summary of unpaid fines and bills

• Access and edit your list of saved searches, which can include e-mail alerts

Navigating to Your Record

The catalog is accessible from the Charlotte School of Law’s home page (http://www.charlottelaw.edu). From the links on the left side of the page, click the “Law Library.”  When the menu expands, select the “Library Catalog” link.  When you click on this link, you will arrive at the Charlotte School of Law online catalog home page (http://catalog.fcsl.edu/search~S3/). You can also go directly to the online catalog page, by bookmarking the preceding URL. To get to your account management tools, select the “My library record” link on the right hand side of the page.

Once you click on the “My library record” link, you will open a patron verification screen.  Please enter your name and library barcode (found on the flip side of you student ID).  Submit the entry.

You will then arrive at your account summary page.

How to Renew Online

• Once logged in, click on the link “# items currently checked out” to view a list of them. If you wish, click the button for “Sort by Due Date.”

• Click “Renew All,” or check individual items and then click “Renew Selected.”

If your materials are eligible for renewal, the Status column will update to read “Renewed, now due mm/dd/yy.”

Hold Requests

• If you have placed a request for a new item or a checked-out item, you will see a link to “# requests (holds).” Click on it to view more information.

• The Request List will show the items and their current status. You may either “Cancel All” requests at once, or check individual items and click “Cancel Selected.”

Fines & Bills

• If you have any unpaid fines and fees, you will see a link to “$x.xx in unpaid fines and bills” on the account summary page. Click on it to view more information.

• The next screen will show a list of the charges and the items for which they were incurred. At this time, there is no capability to pay fines and fees online. Please check with the Circulation Desk for methods of payment.

-Gloria Zinky-