CLASSES

Regularly Scheduled Classes

Diving Into the OPAC - MCLE credit available
Focus on Forms- MCLE credit available
Keeping Current With Journals - MCLE credit available
Law Made Public: Legal Research Class for the Public
Legal Research Using Free Websites - MCLE credit available
Practical Legal Research
Using Lexis: An Introduction to Searching - MCLE credit available
Using OnLAW - MCLE credit available
Using Westlaw: An Introduction to Searching - MCLE credit available

Additional Classes

The MCLE Information page contains information about special MCLE programs offered at our Library.

*PARKING TIPS

• Fee must be paid to register.
• 24 hour notice required for cancellations.
• No cash refunds.
• Be at the location 10 minutes before the start of class.

Diving Into the OPAC

Date(s):

TBD

Gone are the days of the card catalog. The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) provides access to the library's holdings, both in the library and remote access on the Internet. Access is available in the library and outside the library on our website, http://www.sdcpll.org. This class will provide tips on making the most of the OPAC to find materials quickly and easily to save you time and energy. A handy "Tips & Tricks" sheet will be provided.

Focus on Forms

Date(s):

July 8th, 2008 (Tuesday), Noon - 1:00 p.m.

For anyone involved in a business dealing or law suit, finding out where to find the correct forms can be a harrowing process. This 1 hour class will try to provide information to assist you in finding forms, both through online sources and from print resources. The focus will be on litigation forms (California and Federal) and business (transactional forms). A resource list will be provided with the class.

Keeping Current With Journals

Date(s):

TBD

Sometimes the timeliest, most up-to-date information about a subject is through journal and law review articles. The Law Library has several ways for patrons to search and retrieve these helpful resources. LegalTrac and HeinOnline are two of the best and easiest ways to get to these articles. This class will de-mystify the differences between the two and how to make the best use of these resources.

Law Made Public: Legal Research Class for the Public

Date(s):

TBD

The class is an introduction to the Law Library and legal research. It includes a tour of the Main Law Library and information about how to find laws, cases, and research materials. You will also receive some useful handouts about doing legal research and other related information. This class serves a pre-requisite for some other Law Library classes.
 

Legal Research Using Free Websites

Date(s):

TBD

This class is an introduction to finding useful legal information on the Web. In this class we will take a “tour” of the most popular and useful free websites, recommended by our reference staff, for legal research. The class will focus on self-help web sites sponsored by government agencies, as well as how to find codes, court rules, cases and forms. (1 hour, MCLE available)
 

Practical Legal Research

Date(s):

July 26th, 2008 (Saturday), 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Our new class Practice Legal Research is designed to serve as a bridge between our beginning class "Law Made Public" and our pre-trial procedures class. The focus of this two hour session is to introduce attendees to research strategies and to show them how to find the information they need in some of the more important California resources such as Witkin's Summary of California Law, California Forms of Pleading and Practice, West's California Digest, etc. The class will include hands-on exercises in using these essential materials.
 

Using Lexis: An Introduction to Searching

Date(s):

August 7th, 2008 (Thursday), Noon - 1:00 p.m.

"Using Lexis" is a one-hour class for people with little or no experience using this database. The class will focus on basic search techniques and what is available through Lexis, including cases, statutes, court rules, administrative law and treatises. If time permits, there will be an opportunity for some hands-on training.
 

Using OnLAW

Date(s):

TBD

“Using OnLAW” is a one-hour class for people with little or no experience using this database. The OnLAW database is a tool that puts CEB's practice books and action guides in an easy-to-use digital format. The class will focus on basic search techniques, including how to search by keywords, statute, case or by form. If time permits, there will be an opportunity for some hands-on training. (1 hour, MCLE available)
 

Using Westlaw: An Introduction to Searching

Date(s):

TBD

"Using Westlaw" is a one-hour class for people with little or no experience using this database. The class will focus on basic search techniques and what is available through Westlaw, including cases, statutes, court rules, administrative law and treatises. If time permits, there will be an opportunity for some hands-on training.