The key to using Lexis is the TABS on the top left corner of the page. They look like this:

Here we will provide a general description of each Tab.

My Lexis
Think of this as a "Quick Start" page. You can customize many of its features. One of the most convenient aspects of this page is that it allows you to conduct a quick search entering a query (search terms), selecting a jurisdiction, and a practice area.

Search
Allows you to choose a database in which to search, then allows you to enter a set of terms and phrases, called a query. Lexis will then retrieve authority relevant to your query from the selected database.

Research Tasks
Lexis provides a selection of research sources according to topic or jurisdiction. If you are lucky enough to live in an area served by one of the Litigation links on the right, explore thoroughly. There are dozens of research sources specific to each of those jurisdictions.

Get a Document
If you already know the name of a case or have a citation of any law, this is the place to go.

Shepard’s
Shepard’s is a method of validating whether the law you are looking at is still valid. There are many ways to Shepardize within Lexis, including clicking on this Tab.

Alerts
Acts as kind of an ongoing search to keep you up to date on the issue being researched.

Total Litigator
There are two aspects to Lexis: Searching for authority, and searching for litigation support aids. The Total Litigator Tab provides links to many litigation support tools. Especially helpful are the Discovery and Trial Preparation sections.

Transactional Advisor
Transactional law are those areas of legal practice that deal with contracts, business, and other "instrument-intensive" legal areas. The Transactional Advisor provides litigation aids specific to many areas of transactional law. Please note that some of these areas may not be included in the Student Subscription to Lexis.

Counsel Selector
Martindale-Hubbell (often referred to now as just Martindale) is primarily known as a search mechanism for locating attorneys. The Counsel Selector Tab in Lexis provides search capabilities for not only lawyers, but to additional sources used by law firms, such as articles and lists.