Guide to Review Aids for Law Students : Free Online Review Aids for Law Students

Justia is an entirely free platform that provides users with access to federal and state court decisions, codes and regulations, opinion summaries, and legal guides. The site also allows users to connect with lawyers in their area based on a legal issue or practice area. Justia has proved beneficial to students that need a fast, free, and reputable source of legal information. Of course, Westlaw and Lexis provide much of the same material, but for some, Justia is a much friendlier format in terms of navigation—you don’t even need to set up an account to browse the site!

Beginning with the most widely used online resource by law students, Quimbee is truly a one stop shop. The website has case briefs written by expert professionals, quick and engaging videos (especially helpful for visual learners), quizzes, practice essays, definitions, outlines, and more. The site uses animations to outline the narrative of a case in simple language, allowing viewers to easily understand the root of the issue. It’s important to be able to independently decipher the holding and reasoning of a case by reading the text, but when things get cloudy, Quimbee’s case briefs are excellent in providing clarity. Quimbee’s team of legal experts also write outlines for multiple legal subjects that can be viewed onsite or downloaded. While access to Quimbee entails a hefty yearly membership, many law schools will partner with Quimbee to give their students a free subscription.

Those trying to memorize the Constitution should look no further than Quizlet. Digital flashcards are this website’s bread and butter. This free website allows users to generate flashcards and title the deck, which can then be accessed by anyone on the site. For law students, this resource is especially helpful when studying for final exams and the Bar. If desired, Quizlet goes a step further and allows the digital deck of cards to be translated into quizzes, matching games, and fill in the blank games.

OneNote is the holy grail for notetaking. This Microsoft application can be downloaded to your computer, iPhone, or tablet, and constantly syncs to keep your information up to date on any device. No need to worry about WiFi access either, because OneNote is accessible even when not connected to the internet. The file system in OneNote allows you to create color coded notebooks that you can break into sections and then again into pages, ensuring maximum organization. Gone are the days of using command F to find a singular rule in a 60-page outline—the app lets you search within specific sections or even pages to find what you’re looking for. In addition to being aesthetically and organizationally pleasing, the app allows users to audio record, insert screenshots and files, and create reminders. For those who like pen to paper but don’t want the hassle of flipping through pages, the app has a draw tool which allows you to connect a stylus and hand write notes or draw around important text.