Law students are often searching for free resources – here are some places to start!
The internet is full of places to find information as a law student, but where do you begin? How do you know what is credible and what is not? We are here to help. Here are some free resources for law students (and even pre-law students, and lawyers, in some cases!):
Law School Toolbox
If you’re reading this, you likely already know how incredibly helpful the information is on this site! The goal has always been to help pre-law and law students navigate their way through law school successfully, and I like to think we’ve been successful on that front. Some places to start when looking for information on the site – Law School 101 is where the editors of the site have collected useful posts for law students; the blog is also updated several times a week with relevant information, so sifting through the archives will lead you to a breadth of information.
Law School Toolbox Podcast
In addition to the website, Law School Toolbox also offers a weekly podcast for pre-law and law students that discusses all of the topics that matter while you’re in law school. There are episodes on etiquette, outlining, mental health, careers, interviewing, and so on – there is truly an episode about most things you’re wondering, and a new one drops each and every week! A podcast like this is a great free resource available to you through your earbuds, and you can take it anywhere.
Bar Exam Toolbox
Are you nearing the end of law school and starting to think about the bar exam? Check out Bar Exam Toolbox, another free online resource that can help you make the most of your preparation and answer many of your questions. There are many useful links on the homepage of this website as well, which is geared toward helping law graduates pass the bar exam. A couple good places to start are the Bar Exam 101 link, which is a collection of posts explaining the different aspects of the bar exam and what you need to know; there’s also the blog, which is updated several times each week with new articles to read relating to the bar exam.
Are you a law graduate who failed the bar exam, left wondering what to do next? Check out the I Failed! section, which should help calm your nerves and ease your anxiety some, while showing you your next set of options.
Your Law Library
As a law student, you have some of the best resources right at your fingertips, and that begins with your law school’s library. Inside are nearly unlimited resources, plus a trained staff of librarians to help you find what you’re looking for. Do hesitate to ask for help – there’s always more to learn!
Your Professors
In addition to the law library at your school, another amazing resource at your disposal are your law professors. They are the ones teaching you the law, and they likely wouldn’t object to talking about it some more. If they have open office hours, drop by – it will help them learn your name, too. If you have to make an appointment, do that. Having a personal relationship with your professors can only help you in the long run.
American Lawyer
American Lawyer is a collection of articles and editorials that stay up to date with stories in American law. There is a website, where you can read about stories as they are happening, and there is also a monthly magazine, which is more of a roundup of relevant issues in American law. Either are excellent resources for you as a law student.
Your School Law Journals
While you’re in law school, another great place to get information is from the law journals published by your school. Many law journals, whether they are topical or more broad, tackle current issues in law that require a student to dive into a topic. Want to learn more about a certain issue? Try to get in touch with the student who wrote it – if she can’t help, she can definitely point you in the right direction.
Wall Street Journal Law Blog
The Wall Street Journal Law Blog is another reputable place to find information on legal trends and big cases. The blog is updated with new articles several times each day, and the pieces give a glimpse into what’s important in the legal news at any given time. It is definitely worth the read for students looking ahead in their legal careers.
American Bar Association
There is a plethora of information for law students on the American Bar Association’s website. Aside from publishing legal articles daily, they also publish the Student Lawyer magazine. Students can create accounts on the site, participate in the forums, and explore the information on different practice areas. This is an incredibly helpful resource that law students should take advantage of.
Ms. JD
Ms. JD is a website dedicated to the advancement of women in the legal fields, and it’s not only for women. The nonprofit honors men who are dedicated to equality in the law each year as well. The website features blogs, information on programs and conferences, and other helpful information. If you like to write, you can also apply to be a Ms. JD Writer-In-Residence (I did that in 2015).
Above the Law
Like some of the other websites on this list, Above the Law collects articles about different aspects of the legal world and puts them together in one place. Many of ATL’s articles are helpful and informative, but some are definitely opinion pieces, so be careful about what you’re reading. All in all, it’s a great resource for law students and anyone interested in legal fields.
There are many other places to go to find information on legal fields and law news, but hopefully, these free resources provided you with a good place to start.
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