Introductory Guide for First Year Students

Lexis and Westlaw are two high-end legal research databases used by legal professionals across the world.  You will gain experience using both of these systems throughout your first-year Research Methods in Law course.  Unlike other databases provided by the University and Law Libraries, you'll have your own unique accounts and passwords for these systems.  Make sure to activate your passwords as soon as possible after receiving your activation instructions via email during orientation. If you forget your password(s) once they are activated, you will need to reset the password using the vendors' systems.

Each GSU College of Law student will receive a password packet during orientation. It will be distributed by email to your campus email address. This packet will include activation instructions for Lexis, Westlaw, and CALI.  It should arrive via email from Alison Guffey with the subject line "Library Orientation Registration Info and Welcome" if you need to search for them.  Please make sure to check your junk email folder. 

Q. I never got a password packet, or I lost the packet email even though my personal librarian told me not to.

A. Email Alison Guffey at aguffey3@gsu.edu. She's nice and will help you.

Q: I forgot my password to Lexis, Westlaw, CALI!

A: Use the system "forgot password" function where you would typically log in. No one in the library can reset passwords.

Q: How do I use TWEN?  Where do I get a TWEN password?

A: TWEN is part of Westlaw. Once you activate Westlaw, you can access TWEN (and Westlaw and Practical Law) through http://www.lawschool.tr.com.

CALI.org is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to leverage technology to increase the efficacy of legal instruction. For your purposes, the main benefit is that they crowdsource interactive lessons from law professors across the country and make them available. When you explore CALI, you will discover that there are over 1,000 CALI Lessons on almost any law school-related topic. View the video below for more information.  

CALI activation codes will be emailed to you in your Law Library orientation packet. Contact Alison Guffey at aguffey3@gsu.edu if you need the activation code at a later time. The video below walks you through the resources, including lessons and free books, available on CALI, and how to locate them efficiently and use them in your studying.