more resources for Step 1 - Generating Search Terms

For help in generating search terms, try a legal dictionary or thesaurus such as:

• Available online!! - A Dictionary of Law (Jonathan Law ed. 2015), published by Oxford University Press - go to the UC Library Search record and use the link for online access (limited simultaneous users - try again later if access is refused)
• Black's Law Dictionary (2014), on Westlaw (search defined terms or definitions) or in print at KF156 .B53 2014 (search by defined terms only)
• The Law Dictionary (1997), on Lexis+ (search defined terms or definitions)
• Burton's Legal Thesaurus, in print at KF156 .B856 2007

more resources for Step 2 - Mandatory Authority

• to determine source(s) of mandatory authority for your issue: chart - Mandatory and Persuasive Authority (PDF)
• read more about determining what is mandatory authority in Amy E. Sloan, Basic Legal Research: Tools and Strategies (5th ed. 2012), available in print at KF240 .S585 2012 - see pages 4-9

more resources for Step 3 - Overviews, Governing Authority

For an overview and to determine if statutory, common law and/or other sources of authority govern, study aids such as outlines, hornbooks or "nutshell" summaries can help:

• The First Year Study Aids guide describes what study aids are and lists publications covering 1L course topics
• Georgetown Treatise Finders also helps you find study aids, arranged by topic (well beyond the 1L course topics)
  • look for the "lightbulb" icon
  • then search for the publication in our catalog