A lot of the research skills taught in law schools focus on the big three databases: Westlaw, Lexis, and Bloomberg. The reality of practice, however, is that these databases will not always be available when it’s time to research, as their access is not universally used among law practices. Some practices may only have access to one or two of the big three, and smaller firms may not have access to any. But there’s a database available to Texas law students that will carry over into law practice, no matter what.
Fastcase is provided to Texas Tech law students via the Law Library, and provided to Texas attorneys admitted to the State Bar of Texas. Learning this database and becoming proficient will ensure that access to good information is never an issue, and will ensure that the research process is smooth and time efficient. Fastcase can meet an attorney’s research needs by providing access to case law, statutes, constitutions and regulations, court rules, attorney general opinions, administrative orders, and so much more. Fastcase also provides access to some secondary materials, including treatises in the Wolters Kluwer library, blogs and articles, law reviews, and even an expert witness directory.
You can check out Fastcase by accessing it through the Law Library’s A-Z Databases List on the Library’s home page, and using your TTU email to log in. You can also find helpful guides, tutorials, and quick tips on how to navigate the database by checking out their User Guide.
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