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Introduction to Legal Research

Future Offerings

Introduction to Legal Research (7851): Legal research is one of the most important skills you will need entering your 1L summer. In this course, you will deepen your knowledge of the sources and methods used in legal research, including finding aids, advanced search, and tools such as Shepard's, Key Numbers, and generative AI. You will (1) engage with core secondary and primary U.S. legal information sources, to understand how this material is used, organized, published, indexed, and kept current and how to efficiently find and use these sources; (2) build research skills to approach legal research questions in any area of law; and (3) develop strategies to effectively use both familiar and unfamiliar research databases, sources, and tools, including legal AI tools. Learning legal research requires a hands-on approach, so students will be graded on: active in-class participation and engagement with in-class materials, research exercises completed outside of class, and written assignments. There will not be a final exam. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. This course is only open to first-year JD (1L) students.

Sections

Introduction to Legal Research | LAW 7851 Section 01 Class #1100

  • 2 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 18
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Miscellaneous Practice-Skills

Past Offerings

Introduction to Legal Research (7851): This course will introduce law students to the sources and methods used in legal research. Students will (1) gain familiarity with core primary and secondary U.S. legal information sources, how this material is used, organized, published, indexed, and kept current, and how to efficiently find and use these sources; (2) build foundational research skills that can be used to approach legal research questions in any area of law; and (3) develop basic strategies to effectively use both familiar and unfamiliar research databases, sources, and tools. Learning legal research requires a hands-on approach, so students will be expected to be active participants in class and through out-of-class assignments. There will not be a final exam. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. This course is only open to first-year JD (1L) students.

Sections

Introduction to Legal Research | LAW 7851 Section 01 Class #1110

  • 2 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2025-2026 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 18
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Miscellaneous Practice-Skills

Notes: This course is only open to first-year JD (1L) students.

  • 2025-2026 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available

Introduction to Legal Research (7851): This course will introduce law students to the sources and methods used in legal research. Students will (1) gain familiarity with core primary and secondary U.S. legal information sources, how this material is used, organized, published, indexed, and kept current, and how to efficiently find and use these sources; (2) build foundational research skills that can be used to approach legal research questions in any area of law; and (3) develop basic strategies to effectively use both familiar and unfamiliar research databases, sources, and tools. Learning legal research requires a hands-on approach, so students will be expected to be active participants in class and through out-of-class assignments. There will not be a final exam. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Written Assignments. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS Registrar website https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/. Click SUNetID Login in the top right corner of the page and then click the "Consent Courses" tab. See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline. This course is only open to first-year JD (1L) students.

Sections

Introduction to Legal Research | LAW 7851 Section 01 Class #1096

  • 2 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2024-2025 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent 18
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO7 - Professional Skills
  • Course Category:
    • Miscellaneous Practice-Skills

  • 2024-2025 Spring
    Schedule No Longer Available
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