Law
These resources are intended to support classes where legal research is an element of the curriculum. For most undergraduate classes, LexisNexis Academic is sufficient. For graduate classes where complex legal research is expected, Westlaw may be necessary as a supplement to LexisNexis Academic.
Getting started with academic research | Overview of law | Recommended databases
LexisNexis Academic
LexisNexis Academic
LexisNexis Academic is a collection of hundreds of databases covering topics such as news, business, legal research, people, and company information. The default start search form uses the Easy Search method in the General search tab. Select Power Search for more advanced search options. Use the Sources link to choose from individual databases. All content is full text in HTML. News sources 1977-present; legal source 1789-present.
HeinOnline
HeinOnline
HeinOnline provides full-text PDF legal documents organized into libraries: Law Journals (ABA, Core, Criminal Justice, International, Intellectual Property), Legal Classics, United States Code, U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S Federal Legislative History, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, U.S. Presidential, Treaties and Agreements, Pentagon Papers, Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, World Constitutions Illustrated, and the European Center for Minority Issues. 1200s-present.
ProQuest Congressional
ProQuest Congressional
ProQuest Congressional indexes citation to and provides some full text for congressional publications and legislative history. 1969-present.
Legal Collection from EBSCOhost
Legal Collection from EBSCOhost
The Legal Collection indexes citations, abstracts, and full-text journal articles and case studies. You can limit to peer-reviewed sources. Full text presented in HTML and PDF. 1965-present.
Westlaw
Westlaw
Westlaw is a primary online legal research service containing proprietary database services. Information resources on Westlaw include more than 40,000 databases of case law, state and federal statutes, administrative codes, newspaper and magazine articles, public records, law journals, law reviews, treatises, legal forms and other information resources. Access is via individual password, available on request from the law librarian. Westlaw is contractually restricted to persons accessing data for educational purposes directly related to student coursework or for scholarly research.
Legislative Information System from the Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Information System from the Virginia General Assembly
The Legislative Information System includes general information about the legislative process and its participants as well as the full text, summaries, status history of bills and resolutions and schedules of activity. Full text searching is also available for the Code of Virginia, Virginia Administrative Code, Bills and Resolutions, and House and Senate Documents.
- David R Beagle
- Distance Education and Law Librarian
- (540) 231-9231
- beagle@vt.edu
-
3045 Newman Library
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Legend
Resource is restricted to current Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff. Use Off Campus Sign In if not on the campus network. Freely accessible database, available to anyone without restriction Sponsored by VIVA, the Virtual Library of Virginia. Mobile interface available, see description for link. Screencast tutorial available, icon linked to list. Contents of this database are in Summon.
Resource provides Get VText links to access full text.
Resource provides open access publishing opportunities and open access publications.
Resource provides self archiving opportunities and open access documents.