Central Legal Research (CLR)

Central Legal Research employs second and third year law students to work on current legal research questions posed by North Dakota judges, prosecutors and court-appointed defense counsel. The research and writing of memoranda is done under the direction of a licensed attorney. A brief abstract of the research is printed in a yearly newsletter, and copies of the memoranda are available to attorneys for a small fee upon request.

Elaine Ayers, Director,
ayers@law.und.edu

Eileen C. Tronnes Nelson, Certified Legal Assistant
nelson@law.und.edu

Central Legal Research
PO Box 9003
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Telephone (701) 777-2841
Fax (701) 777-2217

Purpose

The mission of Central Legal Research is to provide legal research services free of charge to North Dakota licensed attorneys who are publicly-paid personnel in the municipal, state, federal, and tribal court systems, such as judges, prosecuting attorneys, and court-appointed defense counsel. Central Legal Research also provides an intensive educational and practical clinical researching and writing experience for law students. We have been here to serve you for 22 years, providing legal services across our essentially rural state.

Stand-Out Research Team

Central Legal Research employs four to six law student researchers who are supervised by a licensed attorney. The law student researchers have excellent academic credentials and experience in researching legal issues. Using Central Legal Research is like having your own law clerk a telephone call away.

Our Resources are Your Resources

The Thormodsgard Law Library collection contains more than 240,000 volumes, including 120,000 volume equivalents on microform. Student researchers have access to the decisions, statutues, and treatises that affect your case. In addition, Central Legal Research uses LEXIS® and WESTLAW® for the most up-to-date computerized legal research. Because Central Legal Research is plugged into the computerized databases and the internet, you are too.

Efficient Service

During the school year, Central Legal Research works toward a three-week delivery of requested memoranda. Before a memorandum is mailed, it is reviewed for content and edited for grammar and citation. With your memorandum you will receive copies of any decision and articles to which you do not have access. If you request a memorandum on a previously researched issue, the staff automaticlly updates the research and provides copies of recent cases which affect the issue.

The Central Legal Research staff takes pride in its work, you will too. Contact CLR today or use the Central Legal Research Request Form. We are your one-stop legal research shop.