Law Students

Law students may access library resources during regular hours. Law students also have 24-hour access to the J. Reuben Clark Building with their campus ID card, and may enter the library after the outer building doors are locked at 10pm. ID card access is governed by the Law School Security Policy.

General Library Schedule

General Information

The Howard W. Hunter Law Library is open to the general public until 6 pm Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays). The Howard W. Hunter Law Library provides restricted access to current law students as described by this policy. The University has installed a swipe card security system that is designed to restrict access to current law students and approved patrons after 6 pm.

General Library Schedule

Access to the Law Library

All students have access to the Howard W. Hunter Law Library during business hours. To help maintain the environment of the library, the law library will restrict access after 6 pm to current law students who have signed the Restricted Access Building policy.

After 6pm, entering and exiting the library is restricted to the second floor. To enter the library, students will need to use their BYU ID on the badge reader located by the east entrance of the library.

For access related issues or questions, please contact Melanie Chao.

Failure to abide by this policy may lead to a loss of restricted access privileges as well as Law School and University disciplinary action.

(Policy Date: June 2024)

As a courtesy, the Law Library provides study carrels to all current law students in good standing. First-year law students are randomly assigned carrels in the “1L area” at the beginning of the school year. Second- and third-, and fourth-year students select their carrels in April for the upcoming school year. Selection order is determined by a randomly generated lottery system. Incoming second-, third-, and fourth-year students who do not select their carrel during the selection period are not guaranteed carrels outside of the “1L area”. Switching carrel locations is not allowed unless approved by Student Services.

All law students are expected to abide by the terms of the “Carrel Occupancy Agreement.” (pdf version), including the Carrel Use Policy. (Repeated failure to abide by the terms of the Agreement may result in the loss of carrel privileges. It may also result in the denial of carrel privileges in future years.) Each carrel has locking cabinets and file drawers and is provided with power and data outlets. Carrel problems should be reported online or to the Circulation Desk.

View the carrel features video:

Carrel Use Policy

Carrel maps

• First Floor (download PDF)
• Third Floor (download PDF)

(Policy Date: June 2024)

General Information

There are 15 study rooms and 2 Zoom booths in the Law Library, designated exclusively for Law School use.

Study Rooms

The study rooms may be reserved for two consecutive hours by groups of two or more law students. Study groups may sign up for only two 2-hour blocks in a given room each day. Groups must occupy a room within 15 minutes of their scheduled reservation, or lose their reservation for that hour. Unoccupied study rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis to any group of two or more law students. No food or drink is allowed in any study room.

For tips on study groups (including best practices, study group activities, and study group technology tools), see the Student Groups for Law Students research guide.

For personal study, consider instead the Quiet Study Room on the second floor.

Zoom Booths

Zoom booths may be reserved for up to one hour and can be used for interviews, personal phone calls, and appointments. These booths should not be used as personal study rooms. No food or drink is allowed in any of the Zoom booths.

(Policy Date: June 2024)

The Quiet Study Room is located in the northeast corner of the law library’s main floor next to the Innovation Space (Room 271) and the Library Training Classroom (Room 267). This room is only available to law students and must be accessed with the student’s ID card. The room will accommodate up to fifty students and includes soft couches and chairs, carrels, and tables. Law students using the space must refrain from phone calls, group study, and noise that could disturb others using the space.

The Rex E. Lee Room (393 JRCB)  is a great place to take a break, relax, and socialize with friends and family members. The room has both work tables and soft seating, and lots of natural light for chasing away the winter blues. Shelves hold a collection of popular novels and magazines for law students, as well as a selection of games and puzzles. Law students are welcome to bring their children to this room. It has a kids’ corner with some toys and books for young children.

The Library Innovation Space (Room 271) is located on the Law Library’s main floor. The room has moveable furniture including work tables and whiteboards, allowing for numerous configurations that facilitate breakout sessions, group work, and design-thinking exercises. Due to its flexible nature, the space is a popular classroom and hosts everything from large lecture courses, to small seminars, to BYU’s Legal Design Clinic, Law X. Guest lectures and training classes for the Law Library’s Legal Tech Initiative are also frequently hosted in this space.

The Library Instruction Room (Room 267) is located on the main floor of the Law Library near the Innovation Space (Room 271) and the restrooms. Designed to facilitate instruction in electronic legal research skills, this room is equipped with a projection screen and eight monitors along the sides of the room. This room hosts first-year legal research and writing courses, advanced legal research, library research workshops, and other Law School classes.

The Law Library 1st Floor is the basement level of the library. It houses a number of research materials, including the Law and Religion Studies collection, government documents, law reviews and journals, microfiche, state reports, and archived state codes. The 1st Floor is also home to 76 study carrels that can be selected by rising 2L and 3L students during the spring carrel lottery. The 1st Floor is an excellent carrel space for students who prefer a quieter study area.

Lexis+, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law

Registration information for Lexis+, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law accounts are sent to all incoming 1L and LLM students in August shortly before the beginning of the fall semester. New students should register for these accounts promptly so they can complete assignments for their legal research and writing classes. Transfer and visiting students will receive registration information early in the semester they begin study at BYU Law School.

Students who graduate from law school later than they originally planned due to personal reasons or the completion of a master’s degree will likely experience expired research accounts. Students who experience any trouble with their legal research accounts, including new registration difficulties or account expiration, should contact Iantha Haight for assistance.

Students are encouraged to use their legal research accounts throughout their education at BYU Law School, including during the summer. Students should note, however, that Westlaw accounts may not be used for paid law firm or corporate work.

Digital Course Reserves

BYU Law Library sometimes licenses e-books assigned for Law School courses (not casebooks or textbooks). Links to these e-books will be provided on the course Canvas page. Access may be limited, so please be courteous to other students and checkout books only while you are reading them. Email Iantha Haight if you hare having trouble access an e-book for a course.

Course Canvas pages may also contain links to assigned journal articles or licensed reading assignments. More information will be available in your course syllabus.

Electronic Study Aids

In addition to print study aids available in the Law Library Reserve Room, the Law Library licenses two digital study aid platforms that are very popular with law students, Quimbee and the Aspen Learning Library. Registration information for Quimbee is sent out to new incoming students shortly before the beginning of fall semester. All BYU Law students can access the Aspen Learning Library by logging in with their law school account credentials. Once logged in, law students can register for a personal account so they can save study materials to a virtual bookshelf or download and use the app. For more information, refer to the Study Aids for Law Students Research Guide. Contact Iantha Haight with access problems.

Additional Online Research Databases

BYU Law Library subscribes to a wide array of legal research databases, from historical legal material, to international and foreign law, to litigation analytics, and more. A list of these resources is available in the Law Library’s A-Z Databases list. BYU Law students also have access to many databases through the main BYU campus library. Click here to access the BYU Library list of databases.

Law Library Research Guides are useful tools to identify databases, websites, and other resources that may be relevant to your area of research. You can access our Research Guides here. For additional assistance, please contact a librarian or the Reference Desk.

Digital News Sites

BYU Law Library subscribes to many digital news websites for law student research and enrichment. Available titles include the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Financial Times, The Atlantic, The Economist, and Law360. For access information, locate the title in the A-Z Databases List and click “More information.”

Email Iantha Haight for any questions about database or news access.

The BYU Law Library has access to Xchange, which is a Utah-government-owned and created database that provides access to Utah state district (trial-level) court dockets and documents, including traffic citations in Utah. It is to Utah law what PACER is to federal law, and if you practice law in Utah as an attorney, you will likely be using Xchange often for your cases. 

BYU Law students and full-time BYU Law faculty can access Xchange on their personal computer by getting the username and password from Reference Services to use solely for academic purposes or for Bar applications (You may not use it for any other purpose.). You can email reference@law.byu.edu for the login credentials.

How to Find Traffic Citations Received in Utah

You can find all citations in the State of Utah (Even those you went to traffic school for; these must also be reported to the Bar.) on Utah’s online Xchange Case Search system. After you are logged in on this link, follow the next steps precisely:

1. Change the jurisdiction (at the top left of the page) to “District & Justice” (Traffic citations are generally issued by a justice court, but the default in Xchange is usually just “District”). This is very important!
2. Type in your last name and first name with an asterisk at the end of each one: For example: Smith*  John*
3. Click on the “Search” button.
4. This is the most comprehensive search because the asterisk at the end of each name pulls up all possible variations in the system (middle name, middle initial, maiden name included, etc.–it all depends on how the officer issued the citation). If your name is fairly common, enter your birth date as well to narrow down the results. The court clerks encourage students to, after doing a general search, try a few variations of their name and try entering their birth date just to make sure the search is comprehensive.

If you have received a ticket outside of Utah and are applying to the Utah Bar (or any other jurisdiction that requires such reports), you will need to contact the state court in that state to find out what process you need to go through to find citations issued in that state.Questions or still having trouble finding what you need on Xchange? Contact Annalee Hickman Pierson at HickmanA@law.byu.edu.

The Law Library purchases a number of study aids to assist law student with exam preparation. Current editions of study aids are generally shelved in the Reserve Room and may be checked out for 2 hours (subject to the reserve circulation policy). Older editions are shelved in the main collection and can be checked out for the normal loan period. For specific titles, check the library catalog.

Additionally, check out this research guide on Study Aids for Law Students, which gives more details about the different types of study aids and how to access some of them electronically.

Lexis

Graduating law students have access to Lexis through December 31st, though access may not extend to some features, such as public records. Graduates can also select a digital gift from Lexis, such as Law360, Intelligize, Lexis for Microsoft Office, Practical Guidance, or a LexisNexis e-book.

Bloomberg Law

Graduating law students have access to Bloomberg Law for six months after graduation.

Westlaw

Westlaw provides access for six months after graduation for up to 60 hours per month. You must register for “Grad Elite” status at https://lawschool.thomsonreuters.com/grad-elite-status/. Just like with summer access, you may NOT use Westlaw to do research for a client— only for personal learning or preparing for the bar exam.

The Law Library also has two computer terminals near the reference desk with public Westlaw access. They are available for use by anyone when the library is open to the public. Researchers must limit their sessions to 30 minutes when someone else is waiting. You are welcome to return to the library to use the terminals.

Fastcase and Decisis

All attorneys who have bar membership in the United States have free access to lower-cost databases Fastcase or Decisis. Check your bar association’s website for details.

Other Law Library Databases and Electronic Study Aids

Students have access to most other Law Library databases including Quimbee through July 31st following graduation (December and April graduates). Extended access to Quimbee may be available for bar study purposes only; contact Iantha Haight for more information or to request an extension.

After graduation, BYU Law School alumni have access to two electronic resources through the Law Library: HeinOnline’s Law Journal Library and the LexisNexis Digital Library. Alumni can access additional databases like HeinOnline (all BYU Law content), Westlaw patron access, and VitalLaw by visiting the Law Library in person. Contact Reference Services or a librarian for details about specific databases.

HeinOnline Alumni Access: Alumni can access HeinOnline’s extensive library of over 2,800 law journals. Use the HeinOnline Alumni Access link at the bottom of the Law Library’s home page under “Helpful Links” and log in with your NetID and password.

LexisNexis Digital Library Attorney Access: Alumni and members of the Utah Bar can sign up for an account to checkout e-book versions of legal treatises and volumes of the Utah Code Annotated. For more information and a complete list of titles, go to https://dev.lawlibrary.byu.edu/information/digital-library-attorney-access/. 

Carrels

Carrels are available to recent graduates who are studying for the bar exam. Students who graduate in December are able to continue using the carrel they are currently assigned through Winter Semester. Students who graduate in April will need to vacate their current carrel and pick a carrel for the summer via the carrel pick website. Further instructions regarding carrel picks will be sent to graduating students prior to the end of Winter Semester.

Building Access

Security and building access to the J. Reuben Clark Building remain the same as your student access through July 31st of the year you graduate. Graduating students have 24/7 swipe card access to the building, as well as to the quiet reading room in the library during library hours until August 1.

Reference Services

Graduates and alumni are always welcome to contact Reference Services or law librarians with research questions. Contact information is available at https://dev.lawlibrary.byu.edu/information/ask-a-librarian/.

Law Library Checkout Privileges and Document Delivery

Full checkout privileges extend through the end of the August following graduation. Afterward, graduates can sign up for a Community User account. Open the Community User Agreement.

In addition, we can provide scans of pages from non-circulating materials and email them to you. Send the title, author, and page range, along with a link to the book in our library catalog, to Melanie Coleman. Please allow 24 hours for turnaround. Requests are not processed over the weekend. Requests received after 3 p.m. on Friday are processed the following Monday. Requests that violate copyright law will not be processed.

Harold B. Lee (Main Campus) Library Privileges

Access to books and databases provided by the Harold B. Lee Library ends the August 31 following graduation. You can get circulation privileges by becoming a “friend of the library” for a $50 donation. For larger donations you can get remote access to some databases. For more information, see https://lib.byu.edu/services/friends-of-the-library/.

BYU Email Addresses

Graduating law students have access to their @law.byu.edu email addresses for one full year following graduation (until May 1 of the next year). Law School IT will contact alumni approximately one month before accounts expire to give you a chance to move your emails to another account.

In addition, BYU alumni have access to a permanent @byu.net email address that can be forwarded to the email service provider of your choice. For information go to https://alumni.byu.edu/email-forwarding.

Software (Microsoft Office, Zoom, Box, Eduroam, etc.)

Graduating students have access to BYU software for 30 days following graduation. For more information go to https://law.byu.edu/departments/it-services/laptop-initiative/software-and-services-for-students/ or email the Help Desk.

Reference Services is a department in the BYU Law Library that offers research help to BYU Law students. Stop by the Reference Desk any time you see an employee there! Reference assistants are second- and third-year law students who can assist you, and the full-time law library faculty members teach the legal research courses and can give you in-depth research consultations to help you.

For reference hours, see here. 

BYU Law students may reach out to librarians directly to their individual emails to make an appointment for a research consultation when they need help with their 1L legal research class, an externship or clerkship assignment, or a paper for a class (like Substantial Writing or their law review note). BYU Law students may also email reference@law.byu.edu to make an appointment with a librarian if they don’t have a preference for which one helps them.

Librarians can show you databases that may help, places to do a preemption check, how to organize your research, where to find good sources to cite in your footnotes, how to Bluebook cite various sources, and much more.

BYU Law students may also ask reference and research questions via phone (801) 422-6658, email reference@law.byu.edu, and text (801) 422-3596. Questions from BYU Law students are prioritized and are generally answered within a couple of business hours.

The full-time law library faculty members are here to help you with your substantial writing! 

Make an appointment for a research consultation by emailing reference@law.byu.edu (or the individual email of the specific librarian with whom you would like to meet). Include information such as your availability for an appointment, your topic and thesis, which class it is for, and who the supervising faculty member is. Then, the librarian assigned to your appointment can prepare beforehand. 

Research consultations generally last 20-30 minutes.

Current Reference Hours for Fall 2024

Assistance available at the Reference Desk or virtually.

Monday	Dec 9	9am – 5pm
Tuesday	Dec 10	9am – 10:45am 12:15pm – 5pm
Wednesday	Dec 11	9am – 12pm 1pm – 5pm
Thursday	Dec 12	9am – 5pm
Friday	Dec 13	9am – 5pm
Saturday	Dec 14	closed
Sunday	Dec 15	closed
Monday	Dec 16	9am – 5pm
Tuesday	Dec 17	9am – 10:45am 12:15pm – 5pm
Wednesday	Dec 18	9am – 12pm 1pm – 5pm
Thursday	Dec 19	9am – 5pm
Friday	Dec 20	9am – 5pm
Saturday	Dec 21	closed
Sunday	Dec 22	closed
Monday	Dec 23	9am – 5pm
Tuesday	Dec 24	closed
Wednesday	Dec 25	closed
Thursday	Dec 26	9am – 5pm
Friday	Dec 27	9am – 5pm
Saturday	Dec 28	closed
Sunday	Dec 29	closed
« previousnext »

Virtual Assistance

Any time we are offering reference services, we are offering them virtually. Email reference@law.byu.edu or call (and leave a voicemail if no one answers) 801.422.6658. Both are checked regularly during times we offer reference services.

Exceptions

Tuesdays	Closed 10:45am-12:15pm Due to BYU Devotionals and Forums
Wednesdays	Closed 12pm-1pm Due to BYU Law Devotionals and Forums

Fall 2024 hours began on Monday, August 26th. Call 801.422.6658 or email reference@law.byu.edu
to inquire about additional exceptions to Reference Services hours.

Law students with a current BYU Student ID may borrow materials from the library:

Law students may check out up to 50 items at one time. Items may be renewed either in person or by telephone at (801) 422-3593. Each item may be renewed up to two times if the item is not on hold. Once items are more than five days overdue the law student is blocked from checking out any more items until the matter has been cleared up.

All books are subject to hold and recall. A patron is guaranteed a minimum of two weeks use per book before a recall will be allowed. When a book is recalled, the borrowing patron will be notified via e-mail.

Patrons will be assessed the cost of replacing any lost/unreturned library items plus a $15.00 processing fee. Alternatively, a replacement copy may be accepted. Replacement copies can be new or used, if they are in good condition. For items that are out of print and not available to purchase used, the amount charged will be calculated based on the subclass value listed on the Library of Congress’s Insurance Valuation spreadsheet. An item is considered lost if it is not returned within 28 days of the due date.

Loan Periods:

General Collection Items	90 days
Periodicals	21 days
Audio cassettes, videos & software	24 hours
Course Reserve/Study Guides	2 hours
Non-circulating materials (e.g. Reference, Reserve)	None

There is no grace period on overdue items.

Overdue Fines:

General Collection Items	Items overdue for 4 weeks are billed for replacement
Course Reserve/Study Guides	$1.00 per hour / $20 maximum per item
Audio/Video	$1.00 per day per item
Periodicals	$1.00 per day per item

Because of the teaching and research needs of an academic law library, much of the material must remain on site and does not circulate. The following types of materials cannot be checked out: administrative regulations, codes, dictionaries, digests, encyclopedias, materials in the second floor looseleaf collection, materials in the Reserve Room, microforms, periodicals, rare books, reference books, reporters, restatements, session laws, and Shepard’s citators.

Abuse of any of these policies or of the library personnel may result in the loss of library privileges. Any appeals of fines or other policies should be directed to Melanie Coleman.

The Law Library reserves the right to recall circulating materials when necessary. If an item is required for a class, it may be subject to immediate recall. A rush recall requires the borrowing patron to return the book within 24 hours of notification.

A regular recall may be placed on any item that has been out of the Library for more than two weeks. The first patron is then given 7 days from notification to return the item. Recalls DO change the original due date of the item. Recall notifications are made by telephone and/or email (both if possible). The Library considers notice to have been given on the date the message was emailed or left on an answering machine. Overdue fines for recalled materials are double the normal rate ($2/day up to $20.00). Library policy prohibits forgiving overdue recall fines.

What is Interlibrary Loan?

Interlibrary Loan is a FREE service that the Law Library arranges through agreements with other libraries to provide access to materials that we may not have in our own collection for academic use.

The Details

ILL pulls materials first from the Law Library. If the material cannot be found here, then the search extends to the Lee Library and to other libraries after. It is rare for materials not to be available through this process.

How To Make A Request

How to Make a Request

• Go to https://lib.byu.edu/account/request/
• Click on Login in the upper right corner

• Sign in using your BYU NetID

• Click the icon next to your name in the upper right corner then select Request an Item from the drop down menu.

• Click on the Request an item button.

• Click on the Item Type you would like to request.

• Fill in the required information
• Click “Submit Request” at the bottom of the page

Items Not Available Through ILL 

The Law Library will not request materials that are available from the Law Library or Lee Library. This includes items on course reserve and all other non-circulating items.

• Requests for textbooks, casebooks, or any other required book will be cancelled. 
• Requests for fiction, non-fiction, etc. that are owned by the Lee Library but currently checked out will be cancelled. Please place a hold through your library account for these items.
• The Law Library will only fill one duplicate request per person. 

Still Have Questions?

Set up an appointment with Melanie, she will be able to help you navigate through the ILL process and help you obtain the materials you need.

ILL Materials

In most cases we are able to obtain the items you need, but occasionally some items cannot be sent physically.  The Access Services Librarian will work with you to reach a solution.  There are many other specific items that can be scanned and obtained rather than entire publications, textbooks, or print including:

• Journal Articles
• Book Chapters
• Dissertations
• Page Requests
• Materials Cited in Footnotes
• Print Publications
• Table of Contents
• Microfilm
• Microfiche
• CD’s, DVD’s, etc.

Contact Information

Melanie Coleman—Access Services Librarian
Email: colemanm@law.byu.edu
Phone: 801-422-3656

If the catalog indicates that an item the Law Library should have has not been checked out, but it is not on the shelf, patrons can email Melanie Coleman. If the item is found, the patron will be notified by email. Missing books searches may take up to two weeks. Students may find the item quicker by checking the maroon “reshelving” shelves near where the item is usually shelved, by checking near the copy machines, and by checking on the study tables. After a student has verified that the item really is missing, it can be requested through ILL.

Step 1: Find the book listed in our law library website’s search (“the catalog”).  

Step 2: Write down or take a picture of the collection name, the call number, and any further information listed. Example: 

In the picture above, the collection name is “Law Library Main Collection,” the call number is “K 3258 .D874 2010”, and the further information is that it is available on the 3rd floor. The main collection is–you guessed it–our main collection and what most of our shelves are a part of. 

Step 3: Check the map (link to maps here) to see more or less where it will be and then go scouting. The ends of the shelves have labels to say which call numbers are down that aisle and they are all alphabetically and then numerically in order.

Step 4: You either successfully found the book (yay!), or you may need to ask Reference Services for help. You can call (801) 422-6658, text (801) 422-3596, or email reference@law.byu.edu for help. A link to the book on our website is always helpful to share with them. For reference hours, see here. 

Note: Most call numbers for law library books begin with KF, which is the category for “law.” So any call number in the main collection before KF is in the northwest corner of the 3rd floor of the law library. Anything after KF tends to be on the 1st floor (the basement floor) of the law library. 

For other collection names besides “Law Library Main Collection,” the green information will tell you which floor it is on. You may also want to ask Reference Services for help on finding where that collection may be located.

NOTE: We are undergoing renovation in some library areas. Please contact Circulation/ILL to request any item that is unavailable.

First Floor (basement)

Second Floor (main)

Third Floor

Materials located in the Rare Book Room are available to patrons from 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Patrons, including BYU faculty, should contact the Reference Desk for help accessing materials from the Rare Book Room. A librarian will locate the book and bring it to the patron in the Law Library Reserve Room next to the Circulation Desk. Patrons are not permitted to remove any items from the Rare Book Room from the Reserve Room. The book will be checked out to the patron during use. Patrons must return all materials from the Rare Book Room to the circulation clerk when finished.

The BYU Law Digital Repository contains open access copies of the scholarly works of Law School faculty, annual reports and other official publications, and the online archives of the various legal journals published at BYU Law.

Open-access consortia seek to make high-quality academic work available throughout the world at minimal cost to students, academics and scholars of all levels. The full archives of the BYU Law Review, BYU Journal of Public Law, BYU Education and Law Journal, and BYU International Law & Management Review are available through the Law Review Commons. Other publications such as the Clark Memorandum, Advocate (and annual reports), Life in the Law and the scholarly works published by Law School Faculty are all accessible to researchers through the more-expansive Law Commons. The Digital Commons network includes works from all areas of scholarly and academic inquiry, and contains millions of individual articles produced at hundreds of universities.

To recommend a book purchase, please email suggestions to Kory Staheli, Collections and Legal Research Instruction Librarian, at stahelik@law.byu.edu. Books not in the collection can also often be obtained via Interlibrary Loan. To request a book via Interlibrary Loan, click here.

BYU Law’s Legal Tech Initiative (LTI) has two primary goals: technological competence and excellence. Students learn to use software common in the legal industry—such as Microsoft Word, document management systems, and e-discovery tools—and learn about important concepts like cloud technology, AI, and cybersecurity. In addition to learning the basics, students learn to turn their technology skills into a competitive advantage. They learn to leverage document automation, design thinking, and generative AI to do better, faster, cheaper legal work. These are some of the training sessions offered in the past:

The Law School also provides resources for on-demand technology training. You can find details on accessing these tools here.

• The Legal Tech Assessment provides training and assessment in the Microsoft Office Suite, PDFs, and more.
• The National Society for Legal Technology provides certifications in Legal Tech, eDiscovery, and Legal Research, including training modules for a wide variety of software tools.
• Pluralsight offers on-demand technology courses and certifications for those who want a deeper understanding of the underlying technology. It also offers “Executive Summaries,” which are videos aimed at teaching non-technology professionals what they need to know about various technologies.

Law students have free access to a number of legal tech tools. Details are available here.

As a law student, it’s crucial to learn about generative AI (genAI) tools to meet the ethical obligation of competence required by Rule 1.1 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Several lawyers have been sanctioned for citing fictitious cases because they used genAI for legal research without understanding the technology. Developing competence in genAI ensures you protect yourself and your clients. With that foundation, you can begin building proficiency that will give you a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving legal landscape. Attending the Law School’s Legal Tech Initiative trainings will give you a jump start, but you don’t need to wait to begin learning.

Developing Competence in Generative AI

To build competence, start by choosing a generative AI tool. Paying for the best models, like GPT-4, Google Gemini Advanced, or Anthropic’s Claude 3 Opus, is best, but you can begin with free versions or take advantage of free trials and open betas to get started.

Professor Ethan Mollick, an AI expert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, recommends spending around ten hours using genAI to understand how it might affect your industry. Try it out on everyday tasks you encounter as a law student, such as composing emails, preparing for class, understanding legalese, or brainstorming research ideas. Of course, always follow the rules your professors and employers set for using genAI.

Building Excellence and a Growth Mindset

Once you’ve developed a baseline competence, push the genAI tool further in areas where you have deeper expertise. Apply it to more complex legal tasks that require reasoning, such as understanding legislation or contracts, flagging specific issues or provisions in documents, or analyzing your legal writing. Try out the legal-specific AI tools you have access to. (Visit this page for access instructions.)

As these tools continue to evolve and become more advanced, think about how you might leverage their future capabilities in your legal practice. Remain curious and develop a forward-thinking mindset by staying informed about the latest advancements in AI and their potential applications in the legal field. You’ll set yourself apart from other lawyers and law students, and you’ll be prepared for the future of legal practice.

BYU Law Co-Op Printers

BYU Law provides Co-Op printers for BYU Law students. To learn more about the cost, how to install it and use it, see the BYU Law page on Co-Op printing.

Lexis Printers

Lexis printers are available for BYU Law students to use to print for free from Lexis’s website. Lexis printers are available near the entrance of the basement on the 1st floor, behind the reference desk on the 2nd floor (the ground floor), and on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room. There is also a Lexis printer outside the law library in the BYU Law Student Commons.

The Library has a limited number of legal research desktop computers in the reference area for public use. Resources such as Westlaw Patron Access and HeinOnline are available, as well as selected CCH and ProQuest Databases; and OIT-licensed campus resources can be utilized following proper authentication.

We no longer have public-access printers, so results need to be saved to email or a USB drive.

Faxing services are available for law students at the Circulation Desk for a minimal fee. Law students can both send and receive faxes. The Law Library fax number is (801) 422-0404. Students will be notified by email if a fax arrives for them.

Sending (cover pages are excluded; there is a one page minimum fee)
Local or toll-free	$.25/page
Long Distance	$.50/page
International	$1.00/page
Receiving (cover pages are included)	$.10/page

The Law Library does not have any printers available for public patrons. The Law Library provides document scanners, which allow the option of saving a document as a PDF to save and print at home, for use by the BYU Law school community and for use by public patrons who are scanning library materials. If you need an on campus printing option, BYU has several Print Centers or Printer Kiosks across campus. 

The Y App can help you find the closest pharos printer. The Print and Mail website provides more information about these options. 

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The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using the equipment is liable for any infringement.

Please note that scanning all or even a substantial portion of a book in order to avoid purchasing a copy is not a Fair Use (see § 107(4)).

Scanned PDFs may be saved to USB flash drives, uploaded to cloud-based systems like your own Google Drive, Box, or Dropbox account, or emailed using web-based accounts such as Yahoo or Gmail.

Scanner Locations

The Law Library currently has:

• two KIC Bookeye open-face scanners (the newer one near the Reference Desk and the older one in the Reserve Room);
• four flatbed book scanners (2 near the Reference Desk on the 2nd floor, 1 in the Reserve Room, and 1 on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room); and
• two multi-page feed scanners (1 near the wall that at the end of the table has the reference co-op printer and another on the 3rd floor near the Rex E. Lee room).

Employees at the Circulation and Reference are trained and ready to assist anyone in the BYU Law community who needs help with scanning and anyone from the public who needs help scanning library materials.

Microform

Copies of documents on microform can be made as digital scans on the public computer in the Microform area (first floor). Patrons may email those scans on that computer to themselves.