The Practice

Online Legal Research

Peter H. Berge

Note Taking

Dropbox – www.dropbox.com – easy to use tool that looks and works like another folder on your computer.  A document saved in Dropbox is accessible on any other computer where you have Dropbox installed or have access to Dropbox via the Web.  Exceedingly helpful for drafting documents when working from multiple locations or collaboratively drafting with another attorney.

Evernote – www.evernote.com – Web clipping and note taking app.  Accessible as an application on your computer, mobile device app, or web page.  Information saved to Evernote accessible on all of your devices.

Zotero - http://www.zotero.org/ - Amazing clipping and note taking app.  Extracts bibliographic information, allows commenting notes.  There is a Word plugin that can be a great help with citing and bibliographic references.  Available as a Firefox plugin.  Results synced via the cloud.

Citation Links

Jureeka! - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/jureeka-6636/ - Firefox plugin that creates hyperlinks to primary sources out of legal citations found on webpages.  Amazingly helpful.

Legal Databases

Westlaw - http://west.thomson.com/westlaw/default.aspx?bridgepageid=11 – Westlaw and Lexis are still the gold standards for online legal research.  Westlaw Next is an impressive advancement in search technology.  Cost can be an issue for many solo/small firm lawyers.

Lexis/Nexis – www.lexis.com – see above

Fastcase - http://www.fastcase.com/ - if you are an MSBA member, you have free access to Fastcase.  Good access to caselaw and statutes.  Does not have the array of associated databases that Westlaw or Lexis/Nexis have.  Have been some questions about coverage.  My experience has been good though the search functions are not as slick or intuitive as its higher-priced cousins.  Fastcase has a nice mobile app as well.

Google Scholar - http://scholar.google.com/advanced_scholar_search?hl=en&as_sdt=0,24 – Google gets into the legal research business.  Use the “Advanced Search” option.

Minnesota Resources

LawMoose - http://www.lawmoose.com/ - LaVerne Prichard’s compendium of all thing Minnesota legal.

Minnesota CLE Online Library - http://www.minncle.org/OnlineLibrarySearch.aspx - Collection of our recent CLE materials.  Excellent place to start a research project.

State Law Library - http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/ - It gives access to a lot of things that can be found in other places like Minnesota Court Opinions and Statutes.  One particularly nice feature is that you can get access to many of the briefs filed in cases so you can see the actual arguments made by the parties and access to the sources they looked to.  A real help in research.

Minnesota NorthStar - http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NorthStar – The grand portal to the State of Minnesota’s online resources.

Minnesota Laws, Statutes, Rules - https://www.revisor.mn.gov/pubs/ - From the Revisor’s office.

Minnesota MyBills - http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/billsublogin.asp - Track legislation via email and RSS.

Minnesota Court Rules - http://www.mncourts.gov/?page=511 – Access to Civil, Appellate, Court Access, Criminal, Evidence, and more Rules.  A nice feature to sign up for updates too.

Minnesota Trial Court Public Access - http://pa.courts.state.mn.us/default.aspx - MN trial court docket search website.  No court filings online, contact court for copies. Free and accessible to the public.  Tie into MNCIS – can search by party, case, attorney.

Minnesota Appellate Case Mgmt System - http://macsnc.courts.state.mn.us/ctrack/publicLogin.jsp - Docket for Appellate Courts

Minnesota Standards of Review - http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/casofrev.pdf - A must read for anyone new to the appellate process.  A great review and reference for anyone familiar with the appellate process.

Minnesota Child Support Calculator - http://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/

Federal Materials

Thomas - http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php - Library of Congress’ website.  Tremendous source for federal legislative information

GovTrack.us - http://www.govtrack.us/ - Resource for Congressional voting records, tracking bills, committee assignments and work.

PACER - http://www.pacer.gov/ - Pay service but invaluable to anyone with any substantial Federal practice.

Government Notifications Dashboard - http://notifications.usa.gov/ - get updates on issues via email, text, or RSS.

Blogs

All Blawgs - http://www.abajournal.com/blawgs/by_topic/ - compendium from ABA of legal related blogs

Blawg Search - http://www.abajournal.com/blawgs/by_topic/ - Judicia’s compendium