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 Nichelle Perry at njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959.
Transfer Students
Students who transfer to UNC Law should contact Reference Librarian Nichelle Perry at njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959.
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 Nichelle Perry at njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959.
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
Summer use of LexisNexis and Westlaw
Access to LexisNexis and Westlaw is suspended during the summer months unless students apply for summer use privileges. Summer access is generally restricted to students:
- enrolled in summer school
- working on a school-related research assignment
- performing moot court research
- performing law review or journal research
- working as a professor's research assistant
- participating in an unpaid internship/externship
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.
Access to CasemakerX, Loislaw & 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 email.unc.edu 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. If you have questions, please contact Nichelle Perry at njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959.
Loislaw and Versuslaw
Loislaw and Versuslaw are two low cost legal services with national coverage. Their content is limited in comparison to LexisNexis and Westlaw. They are available to UNC Law faculty, students, and staff through the Law Library. Access to both of these services requires individual registration.
Loislaw Access
Loislaw provides law students free access to its national library. To complete the registration form, on the Loislaw home page, http://www.loislawschool.com, you will need the Law School's special access code. The Loislaw access code is available from the Law Library Reference Desk, Nichelle Perry, njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959, and the My Carolina Law Student and Faculty Password pages. A Loislaw Internet user name, along with the password you have chosen will be sent to you via email.
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.
If you have any problems or need assistance, please contact Nichelle Perry at njperry@email.unc.edu or 919-843-4959.
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 workstation 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. Copy cards can be purchased from the Library's Tar Heel Teller Machine.
Last Updated: 8/14/2009