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Legal Jobs >> Legal Articles >> Feature >> How To Use Westlaw
  • Feature

How to Use Westlaw


by Silas Reed     

There are several things that you are going to need when you want to use Westlaw. First of all, you are going to need a subscription to Westlaw. This can be obtained at the website. The next thing that you are going to need is access to a computer. Also, you will need your Westlaw password that you got when you got your subscription to Westlaw.


If you want to find a document using Westlaw, you will need to have the names of the parties or a citation of a case. You can click on Find and insert the names of the people in the case that you are looking for or information about the case in order to bring it up. When you have clicked on the choice that you want, Westlaw will take you to that particular case.


You can also use a database to find what you are looking for. You can click on Directory, which is going to open up the various lists of all of the available databases. When you get to this point, you can see the various legal materials. They will be organized by state, subject matter, and court jurisdiction. Then, you can pick a database that is going to be the most helpful to you, and then you can search through that database for the information that you are seeking.


You need to be able to do a search when you are using Westlaw. When you get to the database, you need to be able to have a search that can help you get the information that you want. When you are using Westlaw, you can either search by terms and conditions, or you can search by the natural language. Either way, you need to be able to construct a search so that you can get the best information for your needs.


You can also use Keycite with Westlaw. This is a colored symbol that is going to appear next to the name of the document. When you click on the symbol, you Keycite the document. This is going to bring up a list, which will include all of the other sources that have overturned, followed, distinguished, or just cited the document you are looking at. This will help you because you can look at the document and the case in question, and you can see if it has been overturned, or if it is still considered to be good law.


Knowing how to use Westlaw is going to be very important to you as a lawyer, because it is going to give you a chance to really get the right type of information for your needs. For many people, it will mean that you are able to get exactly what you are looking for. Therefore, when you are in law school, or when you are thinking of becoming a lawyer, you need to be sure that you are familiar with Westlaw, and that you are able to use it successfully.

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