Information about business enterprises is a common need in legal practice. For example, a lawyer may need to locate the name, address, and names of officers of a company in order to prepare a complaint and arrange service. The financial status and history of a company may be central to a securities class action suit. Information about companies may be collected as part of a law firm's business development program.

 

Company information is widely available in many formats: books, periodicals, on the Internet, and electronic databases (including Lexis and Westlaw and licensed databases that the Downtown Campus Library provides for the Stuart School of Business).

 

Before you begin your research on a company, find out if it is privately owned or publicly held (i.e., traded on a stock exchange). In general, it is easier to find information on publicly-held companies because they are required to report certain financial information to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and to their shareholders.

• Annual Reports
• Financial Information
• Corporate Directories

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