Locating Legal Information in Primary and Secondary Resources: #14: LexisNexis Academic

Howard W. Hunter Law Library 

Legal Research Guide #14 

LexisNexis Academic &

Westlaw Patron Access 

Introduction

LexisNexis Academic and Westlaw Patron Access are two programs that patrons can use to do legal research. Students and alumni may be able to access Lexis Nexis Academic, from home, through the Harold B. Lee Library website. Westlaw Patron Access can only be used at the law school.

LexisNexis Academic

LexisNexis Academic is an online program that allows law library patrons to find the law by researching such things as legal periodical articles, court opinions, legislative codes, and administrative codes.

To get to LexisNexis Academic, find the Howard W. Hunter Law Library home page on the Internet. Under "Quick Links" select “LexisNexis Academic.”

Click on “Legal.” Click on the type of material you want to research (e.g., “Law Reviews,” “Federal and State Cases,” “Shepard’s Citations,” “Federal and State Codes”). Choose the appropriate subdivision (e.g., “US & Canadian Law Reviews, Combined”). Select the parameters you wish to use (e.g., “All Years”). Put in the search  terms you wish to use (e.g., “grandparent visitation” or “grandparent /2 visitation”). Click “search.” Hit the “Print” or “Email” button and follow the prompts to print or email the document. Then sign off.

To get a case click on “Legal.” Click on “Federal and State Cases.” Type the citation number. Click “search.” Hit the “Print” or “Email” button and follow the prompts to print or email the document. Then sign off.

Westlaw Patron Access

Westlaw Patron Access is also an online program that allows patrons to search legal materials electronically.

The BYU Law Library's Westlaw Patron Access account provides users with access to Federal and State cases, statutes, Utah administrative rules, KeyCite, and a handful of secondary materials such as Am.Jur.

To get to Westlaw Patron Access, you must use the middle computer nearest to the 2nd floor reference desk.  Click on the Westlaw Patron Access icon and agree to the licensing agreement.

Select a database and put in the search  terms you wish to use (e.g., “grandparent visitation” or “grandparent /2 visitation”). Click “search.” You can use the print icon to download the document as a pdf and email it to yourself or print it.

Because Westlaw Patron Access is only available on one terminal in the law library, there is a 30 minute time limit if other patrons are waiting.

(Last Revised 3/11/2013)