Skip to Main Content

Pennsylvania Practice-Oriented Legal Research

Research guide for Pennsylvania Practice-Oriented Legal Research. PPLR is a program offered by Widener-Harrisburg Legal Information Center that introduces basic research tools necessary for practice in Pennsylvania.

PPLR 2015

Registration & Payment Info

With a focus on solo and small-firm practice, these legal research sessions will introduce you to the basic research tools and resources necessary for practice in Pennsylvania Courts, or for a successful summer internship.

This program includes sessions taught by the Widener University Harrisburg Law librarians on free and low-cost Pennsylvania legal resources, as well as panel discussions from practicing attorneys on affective research strategies and law office management.

PPLR 2015 has been approved for six substantive Pennsylvania CLE credits. The cost is $15 for the program. 

Registration is now closed.

Program Schedule

LOCATION: Widener Harrisburg. Room L205

9:15-9:30         Registration (Coffee and Danish provided)

9:30-9:55         Pennsylvania administrative law research:   Using the PA Code, PA bulletin, agency websites and other tools to navigate Pennsylvania agency law.

9:55 – 10:20    Pennsylvania legislative history:  With the Pennsylvania Legislature's website, learn how to compile a legislative history.

10:20-10:45     Free Pennsylvania case and statute research:  An introduction to the free online resources available that contain Pennsylvania opinions and statutes.

10:45-11:10     Pennsylvania secondary sources and practice aides:  An overview of the major Pennsylvania practice print compilations, including GoodRich Amram and Pennsylvania Transaction Guide.

11:10-11:45     Law tech talk: Important technology considerations for solo and small firms.

11:45-12:30     Panel discussion: solo/small firm management issues:  Small firm attorneys discuss best practices and common pitfalls in law office management.

12:30-1:30       Brown-bag lunch (bring your own)

1:30-2:15         Panel discussion: Pennsylvania legal research for the solo/small firm: Small firm attorneys discuss best practices and helpful solutions for conducting Pennsylvania legal research.

2:15-3:00         Westlaw for Pennsylvania attorneys:  An overview of Pennsylvania subscription packages available to solo and small firms.

3:00-3:45         Lexis for Pennsylvania attorneys:  An overview of Pennsylvania subscription packages available to solo and small firms.

3:45-4:30         Casemaker and other low-cost research platforms for Pennsylvania attorneys: An overview and comparison of the Casemaker research platform available to members of the PBA.

 

x

2014 Participants

The Widener law students who attended the entire session and received a certificate of completion are:

  • Martha DeCastro
  • Amy Moya