Research Workshops
In addition to the for-credit Advanced Legal Research courses, each semester the Library also offers a number of Research Workshops. Although many of these are taught on the behalf of the Legal Practice Program, all are open to any member of the NYLS community who whiches to attend.
While the actual schedule for the upcoming academic year has not been finalized, below are listed the Research Workshops offered from the Summer, 2019 through Spring, 2022 semesters.
While the Bluebook may look daunting at first glance, spending a few minutes learning how to use it can save you hours of anguish during crunch time when your brief, paper or Journal assignment is coming due. (30 minutes)
Not all law is made in Congress. Focusing on the Code of Federal Regulations and the Federal Register, learn the basics of researching Federal Agency rules and regulations. (50 minutes)
You have found the perfect case – how do you know it is still good law? What else can a citator do for you? Come to this class and find out. (30 minutes)
Unless you understand the concepts of Jurisdiction and Authority you are going to find it very difficult to research effectively. This knowledge is vital because the same case or other source could be mandatory authority in some instances and merely persuasive authority in others (Some sources are always only persuasive).
This class is intended to start you on a better understanding of the interrelated concepts of jurisdiction & authority. (50 minutes)
Learn how using the Google's advanced features can make your search results more productive and precise. (30 minutes)
Learn about the basics of New York City municipal law. (30 minutes)
Often the quickest and easiest way to find the law – cases, statutes and regulations – is by using a secondary source such as a legal encyclopedia, treatise, monograph, law review article or legal newspaper. Come to this class to learn about these and other resources designed to make your legal researching life easier. (50 minutes)
Not all research is undertaken for a specific project. As a practicing attorney you are going to need to stay up to date with what is going on in your practice areas. Learn about the sources which will allow you to do this. (30 minutes)
While reading a casebook you come cryptic notations such as 293 F.3d 537 (D.C. Cir. 2002), 49 N.Y.2d 718 (1980) and 582 N.Y.S.2d 186 (1st Dept. 1992). Why are these citations there? Why are they so important and why is the ability to decipher and create them so vital to law students and lawyers?
Having now decided that one of the above cited cases answers your research needs – how do you know it is still good law? How do you find additional relevant sources?
Think KeyCite and Shepard's – the two major citators out there today. (60 minutes)