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Introduction to Online Legal Research  (Westlaw and Lexis)
Professor Callister



Session: Fall - Spring
Working with databases with tables of contents.Using clip and alert services to stay current.Keeping track of your searches.Practice problems for the Fall Session of Westlaw and Lexis instruction.
Segment and restricted field searching.Natural language search on both Lexis and Westlaw.How to find similar documents using Lexis More Like This searching.How to searcher for similar cases using West Key Numbers.How to check status with Shepards and KeyCite.

Group Problem:  "More Like" Searches

  
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The following problems will be done in the instructional session with a librarian. Please skip for until your class session.

Problem 1:

During the fall semester, you did some research regarding O.J. Simpson's profit sharing plan -- specifically whether it was exempted from the reach of Mr. Simpson's creditors.  The supervising partner was very happy with the In Re Cheng case (943 F.2d 1114), which you found.  However, she wonders if you missed any relevant cases in your search.  Expand your search to find all California cases (state and federal) similar to In Re Cheng using Lexis “More Like” searching. 

To sign onto Lexis click here.  If you get stuck, use hints. 

Doz the Dog Problem 2:

The Director of the Law Library, Janis Johnston, wants to leave $250,000 at her death to care for her dog, Doz (after Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo), and has asked for your help. You have found an article entitled, Pet Animals:  What Happens When their Humans Die? 40 Santa Clara L. Rev. 617 (2000). You want to find similar law review articles. Can you also find any cases which are similar to the law review articles? 

To sign onto Lexis click here.

Problem 3:

You want to know whether any other states have vagrancy statutes like Miss. Code Ann. § 97-35-37 (2002).

To sign onto Lexis click here.

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