Preparing for the Session Follow these steps:  Launch Internet Explorer  Go to: but don’t log in!  Pull down the “File” menu and  Select “New” …then … “Window”  Go to: but don’t log in! Have your Lexis ID & Westlaw Password ready.

Lexis/Westlaw Training Spring 2007 Exploring the Unknown: Issue-Based Searching Presented by Lee Ryan, John Shafer, Amy Wright & Terry Cullen

Choosing the Right Source  Westlaw and Lexis both have multiple sources to search – think of both systems as libraries of primary & secondary legal resources.  Search for cases, statutes, regulations, or…  Search treatises and law review articles.  How can you find the right place to start searching?

Choosing the Right Source  On Westlaw, use the “Directory” link.  On Lexis, use the “Find a Source” tab.  Search for a title that you already know.  EX: Michigan Law Review  Search to discover items about a particular topic.  EX: Enter “premises liability” on the Westlaw Directory page.

Westlaw Database Selection Michigan Law Review premises liability

Lexis Source Selection California Eviction Defense Manual bad faith

Choosing the Right Source  Found a promising source?  In Westlaw, click on the  In Lexis, click on the  This button tells you:  What the source covers;  Date range of the source;  Search tips for that source.

Choosing the Right Source  Use the smallest source that will give you the results that you need.  Choose a source that covers only the jurisdiction that you need.  EX: Search California case database when you know you need a Cal. case: don’t search a source that covers case law from all 50 states.

Choosing the Right Source  Choose a source that covers only your specific topic.  EX: Search a database that covers only federal antitrust cases instead of all federal cases on every topic.  Consider using a secondary source:  When you’re not sure where to start;  When you’re researching a topic new to you.

Quick Westlaw Refresher  Features of Law School research page:  Find By Citation;  Directory;  KeyCite This Citation;  Search These Databases.

The Client’s Problem — You represent a small business with 200 employees. The head of human resources has been informed that one of the employees is addicted to “crank” (also known as speed or methamphetamine). She has come to you to find out if her company needs to provide any special accommodation for this employee under state or federal law.

must a drug manufacturer warn consumers of risks or side effects?

drugmanufacturerwarnconsumerrisk “side effect” (Terms)

must a drug manufacturer warn consumers of risks or side effects? drugmanufacturerwarnconsumerrisk “side effect” pharmaceutical disclose (Alternatives)

Root Expander (!) & Universal Character ( * ) discriminate, discrimination... test, tests, testing, tester, tested (but also: testify, testimony, testament…) supercede or supersede bank, banks, banker, banking (but not bankrupt…) super*ede discrim! test, tests, testing, tester, tested (and testify) (but not testified, testamentary…) test! bank*** test***

Neg! neg neg neganepant negant negar negardchepe negarde negardy negate negater negatif(e negation negationist negatism negatival negative negative negative negatively negativeness negativism negativist negativistic negativity negativo- negaton negator negatory negatron negatyfe nege negebure negentropy neger negh negh neghe neghe neghebur neghnesse neght Negh t neghsom neglect neglect neglect neglectable neglected neglecter neglectful neglecting neglectingly neglection neglective neglectly neglector négligé negligeable negligee negligence negligent negligently negligible negoce negociall négociant negon Negoos negotiability negotiable negotial negotiant negotiate negotiation negotiator negotiatory negotiatress negotiatrix negotiosity negotious negre negremancien Negress Negretti Negri negrification Negrillo Negrine Negrine Negrish negritic negritize Negrito Negritude Negro Negro-head Negroid Negroism Negroization Negroland Negroloid negromancer Negroness Negroni Negrophil Negrophilism Negrophilist Negrophilistic Negrophobe Negrophobia Negrotic Negus negus Negligen!

must a drug manufacturer warn consumers of risks or side effects? drugmanufacturerwarnconsumerrisk “side effect” pharmaceutical disclose manufact! warn! disclos! (Root expander)

Connectors (for Context) Expands / Broadens Limits / Restricts Common variants of AND: w/p = same paragraph w/s = same sentence w/# = within specified number e.g., jury w/5 tamper! OR AND & other restrictors

How OR expands How AND restricts Does a lawyer who fails to do research commit malpractice? — Lexis search in California Cases — Lawyer or Attorney or Legal ,131 94,524! and Malpractice and Research 42 w/p

Phrases versus Connectors Put phrases in quotes — Proximate Cause “Proximate Cause” “child custody” won’t find “...custody of the child…” Don’t overuse phrase searching —

must a drug manufacturer warn consumers of risks or side effects? drugmanufacturerwarnconsumerrisk “side effect” pharmaceutical disclose manufact! warn! disclos! drug or pharmaceutical w/p manufact! w/p warn! or disclos! w/p consumer w/p risk or “side effect” (Connectors)

Decide where to search and… Sign on!

Quick Lexis Refresher  Features of Law School research page:  Get A Document;  Find A Source Tab;  Shepard’s.

How can I tell when I’m finished? Seeing the same documents over & over? Using different search techniques? Using different publishers’ tools? Checking both primary & secondary sources? Using both Shepards & KeyCite? Are you…

Just Ask!  When using an unfamiliar electronic resource, don’t get lost!  Ask one of your friendly USF librarians for help, OR….

 If you’re doing your research in the dead of night….  Call the Lexis or Westlaw reference attorney hotlines – they’re available 24/7, 365 days a year.  Lexis: LEXIS  Westlaw: REF-ATTY

END OF PRESENTATION  END

Fields / Segments Each part of a document can be separately searched Fields/Segments vary depending on type of document Field searching narrows search results!

Order of Processing: or w/# w/s w/p and frisk! or search! w/3 seiz! versus frisk! or (search! w/3 seiz!)