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Free and Low Cost Resources for Legal Research: Book Research

When you don't have access to Westlaw or Lexis, use these free or low cost resources for legal research

Using Books

  • In a law firm setting, take the time to familiarize yourself with the firm's library
  • It's likely it won't be what you think of as a library--it might just be a dictionary and a practice guide on a shelf somewhere. 
  • Large law firms have more traditional libraries.  There might even be a law librarian.
  • If your firm has a librarian, make friends with her or him.
  • Books have indexes--look up the same search terms you would use online in the index.
  • Books have tables of contents--use the table of contents to familiarize yourself with an area of law.
  • If you have a summer job or externship, familiarize yourself with the major books and practice guides in the firm's practice area.  Talk to one of the Pace Law reference librarians--we can help you.
  • Pace Law School alumni have lifetime access to the Pace Law Library.  Come in to use not only books, but a wide variety of legal databases.

General (Book) Resources

These are some general resources.  Keep in mind that there are treatises and deskbooks for every area of law.

Pace Law Library Catalog

Google Books

Google Book Search

Use the Find in a Library option to locate a resource in a library near you.

Google Scholar

Google Scholar Search