Online Resources and Links
The Academic Support Program offers a variety of online and written resources recommended for students seeking assistance in their legal studies. We encourage students to take advantage of these resources rather than spending money on other resources available elsewhere.
Recommended Resources and Academic Support Links
About Academic Support Resources Generally
There are a variety of resources available to assist law students. Unfortunately you may feel you already have so much reading to do that you couldn't possibly absorb all of it and additional resources. In addition, many of the available resources are expensive.
In recognition of your time and financial limits, we have selected a small number of resources that are most likely to be helpful. When possible, we have made these resources available in USC Law Library to allow you to use them without purchasing them. (Clicking the title of each book below will bring you to the USC Law Library catalog page for that book.) For guidance on which resources might be most appropriate for your use, we suggest that you consult with your individual faculty and with the Academic Support staff.
As is true for all advice regarding law school performance, if your individual faculty have recommended specific resources or approaches, you should use those resources or approaches rather than the ones listed here. Similarly, if the resources recommended here conflict with advice you receive from your own faculty, ignore the advice here and follow the advice you receive from your faculty. If you have questions about these conflicts among resources, we suggest that you consult your faculty and the Academic Support staff.
Starting Off Right and Learning the Basics
It is common for first-year law students to seek guidance in learning the new language and analytic skills that confront them as they begin law school. The bottom line is that there is no shortcut around the long hours and hard individual work necessary to learn these fundamentals. Most faculty include some introductory material early in the semester; many also recommend readings and resources that will help you in these efforts. If your faculty make such recommendations, your best bet is to follow their advice. If, after following the advice of your faculty, you seek additional basic guidance as an introduction to law school, the following materials may be of assistance to you. If you have questions about these resources, we suggest that you consult your faculty, Ms. Gabi Ryan or Ms. Linda Bassett.
Several commercially available publications may help you as you begin the process of learning in law school. We recommend the following which are available in USC Law Library, the USC Bookstore, and from online booksellers:
Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success
by Ruta K. Stropus and Charlotte D. Taylor
This short and practical book provides helpful guidance regarding reading cases, taking notes, synthesizing materials, time management skills, and preparing for exams. (Call number KF285 .S87 2001.)
Starting Off Right in Law School
by Carolyn J. Nygren
This short and practical book provides helpful guidance regarding the sources of law, the stages of trial and the bases of appeal, reading cases and casebooks, and preparing for exams. Click HERE for ONLINE information. (Call number KF273 .N94 1997)
Law School Without Fear: Strategies for Success
by Helene Shapo and Marshall Shapo
This short and practical book provides helpful guidance regarding approaches to studying law, sources of law, briefing cases, preparing for class, legal reasoning, interpreting language, balancing competing interests, policy foundations and choices, studying and reviewing, and "psychological tips." (Call number KF273 .S43 1996)
by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul
This practical book provides helpful guidance regarding reading cases, preparing for class, identifying and categorizing issues, outlining, and preparing for exams. (Call number KF283 .F47 1999)
by Dennis J. Tonsing
This practical book provides helpful guidance regarding both a general approach--and specific strategies--for success in law school. (Call number KF272 .T66 2003)
Expert Learning for Law Students (with Workbook)
by Michael Hunter Schwartz
This practical guide provides guidance regarding reading cases, preparing for class, taking notes, synthesizing materials, and preparing for exams. (Call number KF283 .S24 2003)
supplements and practice questions in the library
There are several series of topic-based guides that are available in the Library and the Bookstore. In our view, the best of these are:
- Examples & Explanations (Aspen)
- Foundations Series (Foundation)
- Understanding Series (Lexis)
- Students' Guide Series (Lexis)
- Concepts and Insights Series (Foundation)
(Follow this link and enter in the Title field the above titles to find them in the law library.)
In addition, the library has a number of practice question supplements. If you are looking for practice multiple-choice and essay questions try the following:
- Questions and Answers: [subject] (Lexis)
- Siegels Series (Aspen)
- Strategies and Tactics Series (Aspen)
(Follow this link and enter in the Title field the above titles to find them in the law library.)
Some online resources are available at Academic Support Links
