County counsel explains mix of hard-copy law books and LexisNexis online access
January 25, 2025 | Union County, New Jersey
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
County Counsel Bruce Bergen told the Board of County Commissioners that while much legal research is done through LexisNexis, the county continues to buy paperback law volumes because they are convenient for quick reference and are updated annually.
"If you look at number 2, that's LexisNexis, and that actually is online, legal research. The items in number 1, GAN law books, those are generally paperback versions of a particular section of the law, and they're easier to grab if you need what we have, a book with just 40 and 40 a, which control local government. We have one for civil litigation. So those are replaced every year as they're updated," Bergen said.
A commissioner asked whether purchasing the hard copies was statutorily required and whether the county could rely entirely on online resources; Bergen said the paperback volumes are used because they are inexpensive and convenient for meetings and off-site work. He added staff primarily uses LexisNexis for legal research.
Why it matters: The county's recurring expenditures on legal materials reflect operational costs in the county attorney's office and inform budget discussions. Bergen described the purchases as routine and aimed at operational efficiency rather than legal obligation.
Next steps: County Council presented three resolutions for the board's consideration; commissioners did not challenge the explanation at the agenda-setting session.
"If you look at number 2, that's LexisNexis, and that actually is online, legal research. The items in number 1, GAN law books, those are generally paperback versions of a particular section of the law, and they're easier to grab if you need what we have, a book with just 40 and 40 a, which control local government. We have one for civil litigation. So those are replaced every year as they're updated," Bergen said.
A commissioner asked whether purchasing the hard copies was statutorily required and whether the county could rely entirely on online resources; Bergen said the paperback volumes are used because they are inexpensive and convenient for meetings and off-site work. He added staff primarily uses LexisNexis for legal research.
Why it matters: The county's recurring expenditures on legal materials reflect operational costs in the county attorney's office and inform budget discussions. Bergen described the purchases as routine and aimed at operational efficiency rather than legal obligation.
Next steps: County Council presented three resolutions for the board's consideration; commissioners did not challenge the explanation at the agenda-setting session.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
