Kathrine R. Everett Law Library

Research

Skip Navigation Links
Home
AboutExpand About
Online Exams
ResearchExpand Research
ServicesExpand Services
FacultyExpand Faculty
StudentsExpand Students
Help

Access to Legal Databases

Who May Access LexisNexis

The Kathrine R. Everett Law Library subscribes to the commercial legal databases LexisNexis and Westlaw. Under the subscription contract, access is restricted to UNC Law faculty, students, and staff. However, other UNC patrons can use LexisNexis Academic or Westlaw Patron Access (WestPac) to access many of the resources available in LexisNexis and Westlaw.

Restrictions on the use of LexisNexis and Westlaw

Students may only use LexisNexis and Westlaw for academic purposes. Students may not use their academic IDs or passwords for work projects related to their full-time or part-time jobs, or for summer clerkships.

Obtaining a LexisNexis ID and a Westlaw password

UNC Law Students

IDs and passwords are distributed during the first-year library orientation tours. Students who have misplaced or forgotten their password should contact Reference Librarian Tim Gallina at tgallina@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4787.

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to UNC Law should contact Reference Librarian Tim Gallina at tgallina@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4787.

Law School Faculty, Visiting Law School Professors, Scholars, and Staff

Law school faculty, visiting law school professors, scholars, and staff at the law school are entitled to LexisNexis and Westlaw access. If you need access, please contact Reference Librarian Tim Gallina at tgallina@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4787.

Printing & Technical Support for LexisNexis and Westlaw

Printing

LexisNexis and Westlaw generously provide free printing of materials from LexisNexis or Westlaw for Carolina Law Students. The printers are located near the rumpus room outside of the student organization offices. If you have difficulty printing contact:

LexisNexis

WestLaw

Technical Support

  • LexisNexis: 800-45-LEXIS (800-539-4770)
  • Westlaw: 800-WESTLAW (800-937-8529)

Summer use of LexisNexis and Westlaw

Students will have full access to Lexis Advance all summer for educational purposes. Students simply need to have a registered Lexis Advance ID as there is no longer a summer access registration requirement. Student Lexis.com IDs will be restricted to a limited menu of Career resources from June 1 to August 1. However, if Carolina Law students need access to specific content available only on Lexis.com (i.e. international materials), contact Tim Gallina at tgallina@email.unc.edu

Access to Westlaw is suspended during the summer months unless students apply for summer use privileges. Summer access is generally restricted to educational use.

Information regarding how to register for summer access and the specific criteria for each company will be displayed on the LexisNexis and Westlaw websites during the spring semester.

Educational use includes:

  • Summer course preparation and assignments
  • Research associated with Moot Court, Law Review, or Law Journal
  • Research associated with pursuing a grant or scholarship
  • Services as a research assistant to a professor, whether paid or unpaid
  • An internship, externship, or clinic position for school credit or graduation
    requirement
  • Study for the bar exam
  • Research skill improvement for educational purposes

(*NEW*) Bloomberg Law Available to UNC Law Faculty and Students

UNC Law faculty and students are now eligible for access to the Bloomberg Law database. Bloomberg offers a variety of legal content, including primary law, federal dockets, current awareness tools and sample transactional documents. Users can also find information about specific corporations (current and past litigation, SEC filings, etc.) through the Bloomberg "Companies and Markets" page.

To request a password, please contact Reference Librarian Tim Gallina at tgallina@email.unc.edu.

Access to CasemakerX & Versuslaw by UNC Law Faculty, Students, and Staff

CasemakerX

CasemakerX now provides all Casemaker products to students at no charge. Students can also use this site for professional networking. To create an account, you will need to use your HeelMail e-mail account. Create an account by following the steps at http://www.x.casemaker.us/ and click on signup. Follow the prompts to create your account. It is not necessary to complete all of the personal information to create an account.

Versuslaw

Versuslaw is a low cost legal service with national coverage. Content is limited in comparison to LexisNexis and Westlaw. Versuslaw is available to UNC Law faculty, students, and staff through the Law Library. Access requires individual registration.

Versuslaw Access: From the VersusLaw home page, scroll down to the "Special Groups" category and select "Law School." Click on "New Account Registration" link. The user agreement screen will appear next. Accept the terms and conditions and you will arrive at the Law School Program personal profile screen. An automatically generated password will be emailed to you.

Access to LexisNexis Academic by non-law Students, Faculty, and Staff

The University of North Carolina Libraries have a contract with LexisNexis for educational access to LexisNexis Academic for non-law students, faculty, and staff. Access is to LexisNexis Academic available through the UNC Libraries E-Research Tools page.

Access to Westlaw Patron Access by non-law Students, Faculty, and Staff

Westlaw Patron Access (WestPAC) provides access to North Carolina state and federal cases, Strong's North Carolina Index, Thorp's North Carolina Trial Practice Forms, the North Carolina Journals and Law Reviews and much more. WestPAC is available to all patrons on the two workstations directly across from the Reference Desk in the fourth floor reading room. Access instructions and a WestPAC guide are available at the workstation. Printing is available for a nominal fee with a library copy card.

Last Updated: 5/9/2012