Legal Research
Certificate Program
The Certificate in Legal Research Program is designed to provide law students of all ability levels with the research tools necessary for success in internships, externships, summer associate positions, or for your first position as a newly-minted attorney.
About the Program
Students have the opportunity to select from a number of classes on different topics of research offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters. Topics cover a wide range of areas and will provide an excellent grounding as you begin to combine the knowledge gained in school with the actual practice of law. Students are free to attend as few or as many classes as desired; however, to complete the program, students must attend a minimum of 5 live classes (Zoom classes count) and earn 100% on 12 quizzes, including quizzes in 8 required subject areas, by the time they graduate. The quizzes may be taken an unlimited number of times.
How do I earn it?
To earn the certification, a student must:
- Attend at least 5 live classes in person*
- Earn 100% on the quiz in each of these 8 categories: (1) Secondary Sources Research, (2) Case Law Research OR Citators, (3) Statutory Research, (4) Free and Low Cost Research Alternatives, (5) Foreign Law Research OR International Law Research, (6) Federal Administrative Law Research OR California Administrative Law Research, (7) Federal Legislative History Research OR California Legislative History Research, and (8) Advanced Search Techniques (formerly “Searching Like an Expert”)
- Earn 100% on 4 additional quizzes on any topic
* If you attended a live Zoom class, it counts toward the 5-class requirement.
When are the classes?
All classes take place on Tuesdays from 12:30 – 1:20 pm in Classroom 605 on the 6th floor of the 200 McAllister Building. Lunch is provided to students who RSVP by 5 pm the day before. The class schedule is available on the program’s Canvas site, under the Modules link.