Q. How can I find out if anyone else has written on my topic?

Before you start writing, you will want to check that no one else has written on your topic. This is also known as a preemption check.

In order to do a preemption check, you will need to do a thorough search through print and online indexes and databases to determine whether anyone else has written on your topic. 

Our research guide gives a good list of databases for your search:

Preemption Check (Research Guide)

This guide from Syracuse also gives some good advice on organizing your search.

As you write, you may find these other research guides useful:

• Finding a Paper Topic (Research Guide)
• HLS Dissertations, Theses, and Third Year Papers (Research Guide)
• Legal Citation Guides and Abbreviations (Research Guide)
• Publishing in Law Reviews and Journals (Research Guide)