Legal Research Certification

W&L Law Library's Legal Research Certification program, also known as Spring Into Summer Success, is offered each spring to all 1L, 2L, and 3L students. Led by our librarians and legal research faculty, it focuses on practice-oriented research skills and resources that students will find helpful in the legal workplace—whether at a private firm, public interest organization, judicial internship, or government agency.

Upon completion of the training, students receive a Legal Research Certificate from W&L Law Library that helps demonstrate knowledge and competency to employers.

The program covers specialized research materials and strategies, cost efficiency, technology in a legal setting, professionalism, and other topics beyond the basic Legal Research course curriculum. In 2022, the Law Library developed and hosted the program in collaboration with W&L Law's Office of Career Strategy, whose professional staff and experienced 3L Rachford Fellows also provided valuable advice for navigating the summer associate or intern experience.

In previous years, the program has also brought students together with experienced legal practitioners who share insights and tips for real-world legal research application. Past panelists have included litigators and transactional attorneys at large and small firms, judges, judicial clerks, law librarians, solo practitioners, and prosecutors from Commonwealth Attorneys' offices.

Inquiries about Legal Research Certification may be directed to Andrew Christensen at ChristensenA@wlu.edu.

See the 2023 Online Guide for Spring into Summer Success with W&L Law Library and OCS (Password required - W&L Law community only).

2023 Certificate Recipients

2022 Certificate Recipients

2021 Certificate Recipients

2019 Certificate Recipients

2018 Certificate Recipients

2017 Certificate Recipients

2016 Certificate Recipients

2015 Certificate Recipients

2014 Certificate Recipients

2013 Certificate Recipients