[feoren]

> read historical case law on the topic in question

Is this even at all accessible to anyone who isn't already in a major law firm? I'm assuming it requires some sort of thousand-dollar subscription to an exploitative publishing house?

[nl]

> I'm assuming it requires some sort of thousand-dollar subscription to an exploitative publishing house?

Assuming you are in the US, all case law is public domain (although documents used in cases aren't)

https://guides.loc.gov/case-law/databases-online-resources

[bombcar]

You just need a law library nearby. Most moderate-sized cities have them.

If not, call the city or county clerk and ask, they often have access at the courthouse to PACER and friends.

[Scoundreller]

Any big case you want to read about, and many more, will be on RECAP (pacer backwards).

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/

Put it in your deepweb toolbox.

You can also get some free credit every quarter on PACER. With the recap extension, you can contribute that to RECAP automagically.