Researching a specific legal topic? Or just brushing up on general research skills? There are many helpful resources available for a legal researcher available in person, in print and online.

 

            I. In-Person:

 

            The reference desk is always happy to help guide a researcher to helpful books and databases. If you are not in the law school feel free to email libreference@charlottelaw.org or call

 

            Lexis Telephone Help: 1-800-455-3947

           

            II. Books

 

            Finding the Law / Robert C. Berring and Elizabeth Edinger (2005)

            Location: Reference, KF 240 .B45 2005

           

            Now in the 12^th edition, Finding the Law provides an in depth look at researching the law. It is generously illustrated with pictures from Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw and print resources.

            Each section of the book also contains a bibliography of additional reading materials.

 

            Legal Research in a Nutshell / Morris Cohen and Kent Olson (2003)

            Location: Reserve, KF 240 .C54 2003

            Nutshells are an easily accessible resource that offers a concise overview of a subject. Cohen and Olson’s nutshell on legal research covers all of the basics of legal research and

            also offers numerous links to both books and websites.

 

            Where the Law Is / J.D.S. Armstrong and Christopher Kent (2006)

            Location: Reserve and Reference, KF 240 .A76 2006

            At only 250 pages Armstrong’s book provides a concise ready reference source for a variety of common legal research questions. There are also extensive citations to online and

            print resources available.

 

 

            Legal Research in North Carolina / Miriam J. Baer (2006)

            Location: Reserve, KFN 7475 .B34 2006

            Unique elements of North Carolina legal research such as state legislative histories are explained in this volume. 

 

            III. Online

 

 LLRX.com

            LLRX is the definitive online resource for both up to date and obscure research guides. For example, did you know there is a research guide on the domestic cat?

             See http://www.llrx.com/features/catlaw.htm.

            In addition to these specialized topics, LLRX also offers broad practical research advice on topics such as legislative history in North Carolina.

           (http://www.llrx.com/features/nclegis.htm).

 

            Zimmerman’s Research Guide

            http://www.lexisnexis.com/infopro/zimmerman/

            This free resource from Lexis-Lexis covers a wide range of legal research topics from “Abbreviations and Acronyms” to “Zoning”. In total there are hundreds of guides

            available that offer an excellent starting point for research.

 

            http://www.virtualchase.com/

            The Virtual Chase maintains an extensive electronic library that covers evaluating Internet sources, web search techniques, company research and legal research.

 

            Google’s Advance Search

           http://www.google.com/advanced_search

            Google can be a problematic tool. Often irrelevant or commercial results can plague a search. However, the power of the advanced search options can be used to find

            relevant and reliable legal research guides. Using the “Advanced Search” option one can limit the search to the “.edu” domain and combine search terms such as

           “subject” + “pathfinder” or “subject” + “research guide”.