Dear Class of 2020,
Although this year did not turn out as expected, the Class of 2020 has risen to the occasion demonstrated to everyone the grit and determination needed in the face of adversity. These are traits that will stand you in good stead as you serve the needs of justice and advocate for those who need it most. We are your biggest fans and we will be cheering you on every step of the way as you move forward. How inspiring you all have been!
Below are resources to help you in your next steps. Be sure and check out our New Law Grad Guide to Law Library Services.
Bar Exam Resources
You have made it through law school and although many bar exams, such as Ohio’s have been postponed, some jurisdictions have not postponed their bar exam or you may just want to get a head start on studying. Be sure and check out our Bar Exam guide, intended to introduce you to the many ways that the Library can assist you to do more than just survive the bar exam. We can help you succeed!
Database Access for New Grads
Alumni may access UCLID, the University’s online catalog or U.S. Federal Depository resources on the web. Currently, physical access to the Law Library is restricted, however, when we do open to the public, alumni may access selected Law Library and University databases via the public computers.
Lexis Password Extension for Graduates
Full access to Lexis for students graduating in May 2020 will automatically continue for 6-months. Just continue to use the same username and password you used in law school while you study for the bar exam, research employers and prepare to start your career. Note: you must spend your Lexis points by the end of June 2020.
LexisNexis Graduate Program:
Graduates are invited to continue accessing the Lexis Law School Portal with their student ID for ongoing free use of Lexis Advance, including all of the products and features available as a student, through December 31, 2020. All law students have automatic extended access. With LexisNexis, no registration is required, there are no restrictions, and no limits on your research time.
A Graduation Gift
After July 5, graduates will see a new Graduate Homepage. In support of their legal career, graduate can choose between four gifts featured on the Graduate Homepage:
- Extended access to Law360
- Lexis Practice Advisor
- Lexis for Microsoft Office
- or one of 13 LexisNexis eBooks, such as Corbin on Contracts or Weinstein’s Evidence Manual.
Additionally, the Graduate Homepage provides access to research resources, videos, career support and breaking legal news.
Any graduating student who has verifiable employment with a non-profit organization can apply via Lexis ASPIRE program for 12 months of free Lexis access. Students can visit http://www.lexisnexis.com/grad-access for details on either of these offers.You’ll also have access to exclusive resources related to the transition from law school to employment and a Graduate Rewards Program.
Westlaw Password Extension for Graduates
The Law Library has enabled graduating students to use Thomson Reuters products, including Westlaw and Practical Law, for 18-months after graduation. Your “Grad Elite” access gives you 60-hours of usage per month, with no restrictions against using them for professional purposes.
These tools include:
- Westlaw
- Practical Law
- Practical Law Connect
- Drafting Assistant Essential
- Doc and Form Builder
- ProView*
- West LegalEdCenter* -one-year, no CLE
Extend access by logging into http://www.lawschool.westlaw.com and registering for Graduate Elite.
All graduates will also automatically retain access to a number of job searching databases for 18-months following graduation for 1-hour a month. Please contact the Westlaw Representative for more information.
B-Law (Bloomberg Law) Access for Graduates
2020 Graduating students will have unlimited and unrestricted Bloomberg access until June 1, 2021.
Westlaw for Public Access
Members of the public may access a limited selection of Westlaw databases through a dedicated computer located on the third floor of the Law Library. While this service does not provide access to all Westlaw databases, it does provide access to federal and state primary legal materials, as well as KeyCite.
CaseMakerX Access for Graduates
Student accounts will remain active for 3 months after graduation.
Checking Out Books
- Although physical access to the Law Library is currently restricted, your library accounts will not expire until May 2021. Once your library account expires you will no longer have the ability to check out books unless you become a community borrower or you are a member of an OhioLINK or Search Ohio library. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a Search Ohio library.
- Information on becoming a community borrower and borrowing privileges can be found on the University Libraries Borrow Materials page.
Email & OneDrive Access
Your student email account will remain active as long as you are enrolled as a student at UC. After you graduate or leave the University, you may continue to use your student email account for as long as you wish, as long as you log into the account at least once every semester. Please note that this applies even if you forward your mail to another address. Students will be able to access their OneDrive accounts as long as their student email remains active.
Where Else Can You Go for Resources?
Local alumni needing remote access to databases such as ALI-ABA Practical Lawyer, FastCase treatises, Ebsco, HeinOnline, Fastcase, and CCH may want to become subscribers the the Hamilton County Law Library. The Hamilton County Law Library also provides on-site access to print resources, BNA, Ohio Capital Connection, Lexis, and Westlaw for its subscribers. You can see a complete list of their services and information on how to join on their website.