Legal Research Tools & Techniques 2026

  • In-person seminar
  • Webcast seminar
  • Legal Research and Writing
Up to 6.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Legal Research Tools & Techniques 2026

Let’s get ready to research!

From no-cost tools and reliable resources to learning advanced techniques and best practices—Are you ready to take your research to the next level? Legal Research Tools and Techniques is packed with strategies and tips to get remarkably reliable, specific results and the free resources you can use to find them efficiently.

8:30 am
Become a Super Sleuth: Finding people and business information

Carol Hassler

  • Learn public records sources for businesses and individuals.
  • Complete a due diligence business profile with free source
  • Understand online people finders – potential and limitations.
9:20 am
The Long and Winding Road of Legislative History

Carol J. Schmitt

  • Locating statute text
  • Statute history including acts and annotations.
  • Online drafting records
  • Secondary sources
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Advancing Your Google (and other general search engine) Prowess

Franky Newcomb

  • Tips and tricks for improving online search effectiveness.
  • Using advanced search templates
  • Engines beyond Google
11:15 am
Preparing Your Case with Free Sources

Carol Hassler

  • Comparative law research
  • Wisconsin agency decisions
  • Locating Wisconsin briefs
  • Wisconsin Jury Instructions online
12:05 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:05 pm
Mining Badger State Resources – State and Municipal

Franky Newcomb

  • State resources to further your research
  • Municipal resources
    • Ordinances
    • Boundary/Annexation/Agreements
    • Local Government
    • Outside Wisconsin
1:55 pm
AI and Legal Research

Brent J. Hoeft

  • How AI is being implemented into legal research
  • Available options to choose from and features of different platforms
  • Best practices when using AI research tools
2:45 pm
Program Concludes
Carol Hassler
Wisconsin State Law Library · Madison
Brent J. Hoeft
State Bar of Wisconsin · Madison
Franky Newcomb
Marquette University Law School · Milwaukee
Carol J. Schmitt
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C. · Madison

  • Discover no-cost resources to help you find accurate legal, business, and public records information quickly
  • Strengthen your legal analysis with new techniques
  • Incorporate new research tools into your legal research process
  • Learn more about no-cost state and municipal resources that can help you further your research
  • Recognize the potential and limitations when integrating AI into everyday legal practice
  • All lawyers
  • Paralegals

Book Bonus!

Wisconsin Guide to Citations

Save 25% on Wisconsin Guide to Citations.* The Guide fills in the gaps left by The Bluebook when it comes to citing Wisconsin authorities. Find examples of citations to Wisconsin administrative proceedings and appeals, and sources for copies of those decisions. Use discount code CA4039 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

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