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Secondary Sources & Legal Research

How to use secondary sources to research more efficiently and effectively.

What are they?

Legal periodicals and newspapers are sources of timely information and commentary on a wide range of legal topics. Legal periodicals and newspapers, like Law360 or The National Law Journal, are publications that provide current news, analysis, and commentary on a variety of legal topics. They often cover recent court decisions, legislation, legal trends, and professional news.

Importance in Legal Research

These sources offer up-to-date information and expert analysis, making them particularly valuable for keeping abreast of recent developments in law. They can provide insight into how the legal community interprets and responds to new cases or statutes, offering context that can be useful for legal research and practice.

How to find and use them?

Legal periodicals and newspapers are typically available through their individual websites, and some can also be found in legal databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law. To use them effectively, you can perform keyword searches on topics of interest, or browse recent issues to stay informed on the latest legal developments. You may also find it helpful to set up news alerts on topics of your interest, or from specific publications. While they provide valuable insights, it's important to cross-check any legal information they present with primary sources.