Legal Research Quick Start for Work

USC Resources

While a student:

• You have access to the law library's Law Databases and the University's A-Z Databases.

After graduation:

• Ask A Librarian remains free, and Document Delivery is affordable.

Bloomberg Law

While a student:

• Students may use their Bloomberg Law login for paid clerk/associate work during law school and over the summer. Note that your employer may prefer you to use the legal research account they provide for client work.
• Activate your Bloomberg Law login: profile.bna.com/bloomberglaw-activate 
• Access Bloomberg Law: bloomberglaw.com
• For login issues, please contact Bloomberg Customer Service | help@bloomberglaw.com | 888-560-2529

After graduation:

• Bloomberg logins expire six (6) months after graduation.

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Fastcase

While a student:

• Use your USC credentials to login to Fastcase via the law library's Law Databases.

After graduation:

• South Carolina Bar members can login to Fastcase via the SC Bar website. 
• Fastcase remains free for members of the SC Bar. For details or help: Fastcase Legal Research via SC Bar.
• Members of other state bars also have Fastcase access.

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HeinOnline

While a student:

• Use your USC credentials to login to HeinOnline via the law library's Law Databases.

After graduation:

• Walk-in patrons can access HeinOnline in the law library (remote access not available).

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Lexis

While a student:

• Yes, Lexis allows you to use your academic login to do work for employers. Note that your employer may prefer you to use the legal research account they provide for client work.
• Laura Segars, Esq. | LexisNexis | laura.glover@lexisnexis.com | Direct: 803-381-7154

Graduation:

• If your graduation date isn't May of your third year, contact Lexis directly. Let them know when you plan to graduate, and they will ensure your academic password covers your time as a student.

After graduation:

• Students who graduate in May will be switched over to the “Grad Portal” at the end of June and will continue to have access to Lexis via the grad portal until the end of December.  Students who graduate in December will be switched over to the grad portal at the end of January and will have access through the end of July.

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Westlaw

While a student:

• No, Westlaw does not allow you to use your academic login for work if you are billing a client. Use the Westlaw login your employer provides (if they do).
• Permissible uses for your academic password are: summer coursework | educational research | research assistant assignments | law review or journal research | moot court research | non-profit work | clinical work | internship/externship sponsored by the school
• Julie Chen | Thomson Reuters | Jingchi.Chen@thomsonreuters.com

Graduation:

• If your graduation date isn't May of your third year, contact Westlaw directly. Let them know when you plan to graduate, and they will ensure your academic password covers your time as a student.

After graduation:

• You must opt-in to Grad Elite access, which gives you sixty (60) hours per month, for six (6) months after graduation.
• The prohibition remains on using the login for work for which you are billing a client.

govinfo.gov

No login is needed to govinfo.gov, a free website provided by the Government Publishing Office (GPO).

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scstatehouse.gov

No login is needed to scstatehouse.gov, a free website provided by the South Carolina Legislative Services Agency.