Law is the body of rules that govern the conduct of individuals and groups in society. It is a vital part of democracy and protects the rights of everyone.
Getting into a law school requires passing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Successfully going through this process is a difficult undertaking for many reasons. For one, you will have to be able to withstand the overwhelming amount of reading, writing, and thinking that law students must undergo in order to pass their classes.
You will have to learn to hone your skills in the areas of research, writing, and critical analysis, so that you can successfully complete law school assignments. This includes completing law review articles, which can be one of the most daunting tasks that a law student has to deal with.
There are several types of sources that you can use when researching law, including books, journals, and other forms of primary and secondary legal material. You should choose the type of source that best suits your needs when conducting legal research.
Books – These are typically scholarly works and contain articles that discuss particular topics of law in depth. They can include articles written by law professors, judges, and other lawyers.
Journals – These are scholarly works that cover topics of law, politics, and other aspects of the social sciences. They often provide a discussion of current and historical trends in a subject.
Treatises – These are usually more in-depth than other books, and they can include primary sources that are relevant to the topic. You should consult these when you are trying to establish an area of law, or if you want to get more in-depth information about a subject.
Encyclopedias – These are generally less in-depth than other books and can be helpful when you are starting to study a particular topic of law. They provide a general overview of the topic and include footnotes to statutes, case law, and other primary authority on the subject.
Annotations – These are summaries of court opinions and cases from all over the United States that can be located by using an index or digest. They are similar to the set of case summaries that is included in American Law Reports, which covers cases from every state in the country. Another publisher, Lexis, produces a digest for cases from the United States Supreme Court.
These are useful when you are unsure of what laws apply in a given situation or to which people. They also give you a background on the law and can help you to identify potential sources of information when conducting legal research.
Restatements – These are publications that restate the law by synthesizing case law and statutes from across the country. They can be found in the Nexis Uni database and can be used as a reference tool when conducting legal research.
During your time in law school, you will have to write many articles and essays that analyze, interpret, and convey your knowledge of the legal system. These are a great way to demonstrate your abilities and understanding of the field, and they can be extremely beneficial when applying for jobs.