The Mendik Library's Reference Staff is offering a variety of research classes that focus on the practical skills you'll need in order to do research for class or in practice. While these sessions are voluntary, attendance will help satisfy the Legal Practice Program's Research Skills Workshop requirement (see the LP RSW instruction sheet for details).

Advance Registration Required.  Click the link for the desired class session and follow the onscreen instructions.

All sessions will be held in Electronic Research Classroom L203 (Enter the Library and take the Library elevators down to L2).

Agency Law: Rules, Regulations & More
Not all law is made in Congress. Focusing on the C.F.R. and the Federal Register, learn the basics of researching Federal Agency rules and regulations. (50 minutes)

• Wed. Nov. 7 (5:00 – 5:50)
• Thur. Nov. 15 (6:00 – 6:50)

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: What Happens Next?
Your client has a problem and friendly negotiation has failed. You need to be able to explain the various legal proceedings and steps involved in filing suit and taking it through trial and appeal. Can you? (50 minutes)

• Sat. Nov. 10 (2:00 – 2:50)
• Mon. Nov. 12 (5:00 – 5:50)

The Bluebook in Legal Practice
Uncomfortable with the Bluebook? Faced with writing a legal memorandum or other practice-related document? Come to one of these sessions focusing on this vital practice tool. (40 minutes)

• Sun. Nov. 11 (2:00 – 2:40)
• Sun. Nov. 18 (2:00 – 2:40)
• Sat. Dec.1 (2:00 – 2:40)

Jurisdiction & Authority
You've found a case exactly on point and cite-checked it to make sure it's still good law. In your memo to the court you tell the judge she is required to follow the holding in your case and are feeling pretty confident until the partner reviewing your work says "since when is a New Jersey trial court decision mandatory authority in New York?"

If you don't know how to determine if a case is mandatory or merely persuasive authority in any given jurisdiction, you might want to sign up for this class. (50 minutes)

• Sat. Nov. 17 (2:00 – 2:50)
• Tues. Nov. 27 (6:00 – 6:50)

Starting a Federal Research Project
How is the federal court system structured? How do the Federal Register and the C.F.R. interact? Know the differences between the U.S.C., the U.S.C.A. and the U.S.C.S.? Learn about the major sources used in Federal legal research. (50 minutes)

• Tue. Nov. 13 (6:00 – 6:50)
• Mon. Nov. 19 (5:00 – 5:50)

Starting a NY Legal Research Project
What is the NYCRR? Know the difference between McKinney's and the C.L.S.? Get a quick overview of the major sources for researching New York legal questions. (50 minutes)

• Thurs. Nov. 29 (6:00 – 6:50)

Statutory Research
You are given an assignment and are told the answer is most likely to be found in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Now what do you do? Go to this class! (50 minutes)

• Wed. Nov. 14 (5:00 – 5:50)
• Tue. Nov. 20 (6:00 – 6:50)

Ten Sources of Federal Information Every Lawyer Should Know
Come to this session and learn about FDsys, THOMAS and eight other authoritative, important sources of Federal legal information that will help you both at school and in practice. (50 minutes)

• Mon, Nov 26 (5:00 - 5:50)

Using KeyCite & Shepard's To Update Your Research
You've found the perfect case – how do you know it's still good law? What else can a citator do for you? Come to this class and find out. (40 minutes)

• Thurs. Nov. 8 (6:00 – 6:40)
• Wed. Nov. 28 (5:10 – 5:50)