Law Student Research Corner: 50-State Surveys
Welcome to the Law Student Research Corner! This is a resource created by law students, for law students. I’m a 2L at King Hall, and every few weeks this spring, I’ll highlight a legal research tool you might not know about. My goal is to share practical strategies you can use in your classes, summer jobs, and beyond.
In this inaugural post, we will explore the best legal research tool you’ve never heard of: 50-State Surveys.
What Is a 50-State Survey?
A 50-State Survey is a time-saving legal research tool that gathers and compares laws on a specific topic across all 50 U.S. states. In simple terms, it’s a one-stop resource for seeing how different states address the same legal issue, making comparative research faster and easier.
Where Can I Find 50-State Surveys?
You can find 50-State Surveys in both Westlaw and Lexis. Choosing between them depends on the specific topic you’re working on. Westlaw and Lexis’s 50-state surveys don’t cover the same subject areas, so if you can’t find your subject on one, check the other. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at finding and using 50-State Surveys in each database.
How to Access Westlaw's 50-State Surveys
Start by logging into Westlaw. On the home page, find the row labeled “GET STARTED” (under the big white search bar) and click the link that says “Statutes.”
From there, look to the right to find “Resources,” and select “50 State Statutory Surveys.”
The surveys are organized by area of interest. I clicked on “Education,” and then “School Choice” and was greeted by a large table. It is organized alphabetically by state and gives an overview of the relevant law with links to the applicable statutes.
How to Access Lexis' 50-State Surveys
Log in to Lexis. Next, in the “Content” tab, select “Statutes & Legislation”.
Once you’re on the “Statutes & Legislation” page, you’ll find “50 State Surveys” on the far right, underneath “Related Resources.”
You then have two choices: “Lexis Multistate Tax Charts with Analysis” or “LexisNexis 50 State Surveys: Statutes and Regs.” The second one is what we want. From there, you have a long list of topics to choose from, with a search bar at the top if you get lost.
For comparison, I tried to look for something about school choice, but wasn’t able to find it. Instead, I clicked under “Education Law,” then “Administration & Operation,” and finally “Charter Schools.” Similar to Westlaw, we have an overview of the law and a large table of each state’s statutes.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
50-state surveys are an excellent resource often overlooked by law students. At least in my case, I didn’t know about them until I put together this guide. If you’re conducting comparative research on how different states approach a particular legal topic, checking Westlaw and Lexis for an applicable survey can save you lots of time. If you don’t find the topic you’re looking for on one platform, don’t give up—check the other. Good luck, and be sure to swing by the Law Library’s reference desk or email lawlibref@ucdavis.edu if you have any questions.
Pro Tip!
The information above is plenty to go on. But if you are ready and rearing for more, check out Bloomberg Law’s Chart Builder to make your own custom surveys using the states and topics of your choice. Students have free access to all of Bloomberg’s materials. If you don’t have a username and password yet, reach out, and we’ll set you up.