Submitted by Susan Chin
The following information may be useful to re-entry attorneys who need to refresh their office software and legal research skills:
Office Software
Microsoft’s Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) is used in most law firms. Free online demonstrations and training are available at www.office.microsoft.com.
Legal Research
Free legal research is available to all NYSBA members at www.loislaw.com. Free online training is available.
At www.lexisnexis.com, free online training and free downloadable user guides are available to the public. No sign in is required.
At www.westlaw.com, free downloadable user guides are available to the public. Sign in is required for online training.
Free training classes of both Lexis and Westlaw are available at NY County Lawyers Association to both members and non-members. Reservations are required at www.nycla.org.
Free use of Lexis and Westlaw (basic subscription only) is available at both NY County Lawyers Association and the NYC Bar Association to dues paying members.
Free use of Lexis and/or Westlaw is available to the public at "public access libraries" which can be found at www.nycourts.gov/lawlibraries/publicaccess.shtml.
In addition, free case law can be found at ten websites which are described in an article by Mr. Robert J. Ambrogi and published in the May 2009 issue of Law Technology News at www.lawtechnews.com/r5/showkiosk.asp?listing_id=3184967. It is also attached as a pdf file.