Start your research project with these legal databases.
Popular Databases
Databases by Subject
Find the best bets to start your research.
Lexis, Westlaw, & Bloomberg Law
Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law provide online access to U.S. federal and state law sources, as well as to sources of international law and the laws of a number of other jurisdictions. Sources vary by jurisdiction and may include:
- Constitutions
- Legislation and legislative history
- Statutory codes and session laws
- Regulations and regulatory materials
- Cases
- Citators
- Public Records
- Secondary sources (including law reviews, treatises, digests, and news)
Access
- HLS Students: New students receive their registration codes to access Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law at the beginning of the fall semester. Returning students should continue using their accounts from the previous year.
- Faculty and Staff: HLS faculty (including visiting faculty) and staff may request Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law accounts by emailing research@law.harvard.edu.
Some exceptions may be made in limited circumstances for users with a temporary HLS affiliation. Possible exceptions include non-HLS students cross-enrolled in an HLS course, HLS program fellows, and participants in the Law School’s Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher Program.
Email research@law.harvard.edu for assistance.
Vendor Contacts & Additional Information
Westlaw & Bloomberg Terminals
- Located on the 3rd floor of the library (L353) in front of the Reference Room
- Anyone with library access can use them whenever the library is open
Bloomberg Terminal
Access financial information, as well as news and law content. Create and use your own login credentials to save documents and search information to your individual profile.
Westlaw Terminal
Access legal research resources on a platform that is similar to the regular Westlaw law school accounts. Two terminals are available. No special login is necessary.