The Charleston School of Law has had the privilege of cultivating close connections with multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the United States Coast Guard, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. These partnerships have opened doors for students to participate in meaningful externships, internships, and pro bono opportunities within military legal settings. As a result, the law school has been inspired to expand its academic offerings, including courses focused on military law and military justice.

Despite this strong military presence and interest among students, one of the recurring challenges has been the difficulty of conducting effective legal research in the field of military law. Unlike traditional civilian legal systems, the military operates under its own codes and structures, such as the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), courts-martial, and military tribunals. These distinctions can make it hard for students to navigate research using standard legal databases like Westlaw and Lexis, which often offer limited materials on military law.

Sol Blatt, Jr. Law Library’s database, HeinOnline, has recently enhanced its platform with a dedicated Military Legal Resources collection. [Sign in required] This new collection significantly improves research outcomes for students, faculty, and practicing attorneys working in or interested in military law. The Military Legal Resources tab includes access to the Geneva Conventions, JAG School publications, legislative histories, the Lieber Collection, war crimes materials, and a wide range of content from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, among others.

What sets this resource apart is its user-friendly interface and well-organized structure. Each tab within the Military Legal Resources section contains a brief description of its focus area and presents relevant documents in alphabetical order. This organization is especially helpful for those who are beginning their research with only a general idea of what they’re looking for. Instead of having to identify precise search terms, users can browse titles within a category to spark direction and discovery.

For users who prefer targeted research, the search function allows for key phrase input and delivers results specific to the military law database.

In closing, HeinOnline’s Military Legal Resources collection is a powerful addition for law students and legal professionals navigating the complexities of military law. As the Charleston School of Law continues to build pathways into military legal careers, having access to robust and specialized research tools like this one ensures that students are better prepared, better informed, and ultimately, better advocates.

Questions about using HeinOnline’s Military Legal Resources?

Please feel free to ask a law librarian or research fellow about using HeinOnline, or any other library resources. You can access HeinOnline from the law library’s database page, under the “Featured Databases” heading. Then, select Military Legal Resources from the database list. Try HeinOnline’s research guide for a deep dive into using Military Legal Resources. Additionally, you might be interested in HeinOnline’s Military and Government collection, to research the functions of the federal government in administering the armed forces and the issues confronting service personnel, on and off the battlefield.

Breanna M. Moore

Sol Blatt, Jr. Law Library Research Fellow
Black Law Student Association-President | Event Planning Co-Chair
Student Bar Association 3L Senator
Moot Court-Member
Christian Legal Society | Business Law Society | Health Care Law