LexisNexis & Westlaw Accounts and Training for 1Ls
LexisNexis & Westlaw Accounts
LexisNexis & Westlaw accounts were distributed to you at registration. Please stop by the Langdell reference desk if you have not received your accounts.
Please be sure to register your accounts as soon as possible. See the instructions provided on your LexisNexis & Westlaw account cards or go here to register now:
During registration, both services will give you the opportunity to create your own username and password. LexisNexis requires you to then use these in order to access their services. With Westlaw, they are optional. Tip: they can be the same for both services.
LexisNexis & Westlaw Introductory Training
All students in the First-Year Legal Research And Writing Program (LRW) are encouraged to attend both a LexisNexis and a Westlaw introductory training class or complete the HLSL LexisNexis & Westlaw Tutorial.
In order to fully participate in the LRW legal research classes and workshops, you must be able to perform this basic set of LexisNexis & Westlaw skills:
- sign on and off;
- locate a case by citation;
- select a database;
- construct a terms and connectors search;
- view, navigate, print, download and email search results; and
- view and manipulate your research history.
If you can already do these things, great! Just register your accounts and you're ready to research. If you've used LexisNexis or Westlaw as an undergraduate, the law school versions have very different interfaces than the ones you are familiar with—they are, however, virtually identical to the versions used in law firms.
If you aren't familiar with one or both systems, the HLSL LexisNexis & Westlaw Tutorial will take you through the essentials. Or, if you prefer to take a class, the Library is sponsoring 60-minute (30 minutes each) back-to-back introductory LexisNexis & Westlaw classes taught by our account representatives. All classes take place in the Langdell Computer Classroom (L233) located on two north. Go here for the LexisNexis & Westlaw training schedules and sign-ups (you must first register your accounts):
- LexisNexis Training Schedule (Custom ID & Password required)
- Westlaw Training Schedule (Username & Password or Westlaw Password required)
If you would like a 60-minute back-to-back class, be sure to schedule LexisNexis & Westlaw classes in the same hour. You may also sign-up for separate 30-minute classes.
In addition to training schedules and sign ups, the LexisNexis & Westlaw home pages offer a number of useful materials and services including reference literature, tutorials, study aids and outlines:
- LexisNexis home page (Custom ID & Password required)
- Westlaw home page (Username & Password or Westlaw Password required)
Help
Help is available. Please contact the Langdell reference desk, (617) 495-4516, located just off the reading room on the fourth floor of Langdell Hall with any questions.