Legal Research Guides in the United States
After the Cohen and Berring’s “How to Find the Law”, the standard print legal research guides are Kent Olson’s Principles of Legal Research (successor to “How to Find the Law”) and Barkan, Mersky and Dunn’s “Fundamentals of Legal Research” (formerly by Jacobstein & Merskey). Both are published by West.
“Legal Research Methods in a Modern World: A Coursebook” (DJØF Publishing) covers legal research from a global perspective. Click here for more information about the book.
Many U.S. states have their own legal research guides.
University of Washington Legal Research Guides
A
Acronyms & Abbreviations; U.S. Government: Commonly Used
Administrative Law Research: Agency Decisions–United States (federal)
Administrative Law Research: General Sources–United States (federal)
Administrative Law Research: Rules and Regulations–United States (federal)
Administrative Law Research–Washington State
Admiralty & Maritime Law; U.S.
Advanced Internet Research PowerPoint
Advanced Internet Research Featured Sites
Advocacy, Creative Research for: Tips for Clinic Students & Others
Alternative Dispute Resolution
American Legal System (B550)
Arbitration; International Commercial
Articles on Terrorism; Law Review
Attorneys
- ethics opinions (Washington State)
Australian Legal Research Sources
B
Bill-Tracking Research Guide; Federal
Blogs in Washington State; Law-Related
Books Written for Nonlawyers in the Gallagher Law Library
Bridge the Legal Research Gap: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
Brown v. Board of Education Websites
C
Call numbers / classification numbers
- Call Numbers for Foreign Law
- Call Numbers for State Law
- Call Numbers; Library of Congress
- Careers in International Law
- Getting the Scoop on Jobs & Careers
- Government Work
- Legal Career Tips
- Public Service Careers: Research Tips
- Researching Judicial Clerkship Opportunities
- Sample Searches for Networking & Informational Interviews
cases & caselaw research
Chinese Legal Research at the University of Washington
Cite-Checking & Library Research
Civil Procedure Research Resources
Clerkship Opportunities; Researching Judicial
Clinic Students & Others; Creative Research for Advocacy: Tips for
Collaboration, Wikis and Other Tools for
Commercial Arbitration; International
Commercial Code Research; Uniform
comparative, foreign & international law
- Australian Legal Research Sources
- Chinese Legal Research at the University of Washington
- Citing Foreign Law
- European Union Research
- Foreign & Comparative Law Research (PPT)
- Foreign and International Law in the Gallagher Law Library (PPT for UW librarians Sept. 2010)
- Foreign, Comparative & International Law Research: Selected Sources (PDF)
- Foreign Law Research
- Indonesia; Health & Human Rights
- Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Environmental Law Research Guide
- International Law of the Sea Research
- International Legal Research
- Introduction to Foreign, Comparative and International Legal Research (PDF)
- Islamic Law Resources
- Japanese Legal Research at the University of Washington
- Korean Legal Research at the University of Washington
- Legal & Judicial Systems in Countries Around the World
- Research in Foreign & Comparative Law
- Researching Islamic Law Topics Using Secondary Sources (PDF)
- Starting Points for Foreign, Comparative & International Legal Research
- Taiwan Legal Research at the University of Washington
- United Nations Research
Computer-assisted legal research (CALR)
Congressional Research Service Reports
constitutions
- Oregon State Constitution
- Popular Names of US Constitutional Provisions
- Washington State Constitution
Contracting; International (Chafee) (Word)
Contracts: Formbooks & Drafting Resources
copyright
Corporations & Business Organizations Legal Research Guide
courts
Creative Research for Advocacy: Tips for Clinic Students and Others
Criminal Records; Innocence Project Northwest Clinic
D
Digests & Reporters
domestic relations, see Family Law Research & Practice Guide
Drafting Contracts: Formbooks & Drafting Resources
E
Economic Development–Legal Problems of
Education Law Research Guide (PDF)
employment law, see Labor & employment law
Entrepreneurial Law Clinic: Resources & Guides
environmental law
- International Environmental Law Research Guide
- International Law of the Sea Research
- Research Guide for U.S. Ocean and Coastal Law
- School of Marine Affairs 476 (Beth Bryant)
- 2012 slideshow, online sources (PPT)
- 2012 slideshow, print sources (PPT) and handout (Word)
- 2011 slideshow, print sources (PPT and PDF)
- 2011 handout, print sources (PDF)
- 2010 slideshow, print sources (PPT and PDF)
- 2010 handout, print sources (PDF)
- 2010 slideshow, online sources (PPT and PDF)
- 2010 handout, online sources (PDF)
- Selected Sources for Environmental Law Research on the Internet
- Washington State Environmental Policy Act
Ethics; International Research (health)
ethics opinions
- Washington State Ethics Opinions: Attorneys
- Washington State Ethics Opinions: Judges
- Washington State Ethics Opinions: Legislators & Public Employees
- Washington Local Ethics Opinions: Seattle & King County
evidence
F
Family Law Research & Practice Guide
Family Law Resources for Washington State
Federal Immigration Law Resources
Federal Rules of Evidence & Comparable State Evidence Rules
Fellowship Opportunities in Law
Finding Federal Government Publications on the Internet
Finding Government Documents Today
Finding Guide for Federal Tax Materials in the Gallagher Law Library
Foreign & Comparative Law Research (PPT March 2006)
Foreign and International Law in the Gallagher Law Library (PPT for UW librarians Sept. 2010)
Foreign, Comparative & International Law Research: Selected Sources (PDF)
Foreign and International Legal Research, Introduction to (PPT prepared for Comparative and International Law, Walsh, April 2010) (begins with foreign law)
Foreign Legal Research, Introduction to International and (PPT prepared for Comparative and International Law, Eddy and Ngugi, April 2010) (begins with international law)
Forensics; Innocence Project Northwest Clinic
Forms; Legal
Foundations for Legal Study 2010 (PPT & PDF)
Free Legal Information on Washington State Law, Sources of
G
Getting the Scoop on Jobs & Careers
government documents
- Federal Government Resources on the Internet: An A to Z Sampler
- Finding Federal Government Publications on the Internet
- Finding Government Documents Today
- Finding Guide for Federal Tax Materials in the Gallagher Law Library
- Useful Websites for Documents Librarians
Guide to Using the Gallagher Law Library for Members of the Public
H
health & medicine
- Beginning of Life
- Genetics & the Law
- Health & Human Rights: Indonesia
- Health Law Research Tips
- International Research Ethics
- Public Health Law Resources
- Research in Health Law
- Researching Health & Human Rights—Greater Horn of Africa
High School Mock Trial Students, Sites for
Historical Laws; Researching Washington
Human rights
- Human Rights Research
- Introduction to Human Rights Legal Research (PDF)
- Researching Health & Human Rights—Greater Horn of Africa
Humor, Judicial
I
IGOs, Intergovernmental Organizations
Index to UW School of Law Indian Law Symposia & Conferences
Indonesia; Health & Human Rights
Information on Obtaining Copyright Permissions
Informational Interviews, Samples Searches for Networking &
Innocence Project Northwest Clinic; Legal Research Sources for the
Intellectual property
- Information on Obtaining Copyright Permission
- Patent Law Resources
- Research in Copyright Law
- Trademark Law Resources
interdisciplinary research
Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
International Commercial Arbitration
International Contracting (Chafee) (Word)
International Environmental Law Research
International Law in the Gallagher Law Library, Foreign and (PPT for UW librarians Sept. 2010)
International Law of the Sea Research
International Law Research: Selected Sources; Foreign, Comparative & (PDF)
International Legal Research, Introduction to Foreign and (PPT prepared for Comparative and International Law, Walsh, April 2010) (begins with foreign law)
International Research Ethics (health)
Introduction to Computer-Assisted Legal Research
Introduction to Legal Research & Government Policy Resources
IRS Regulations & Pronouncements (PPT)
Islamic Law Topics Using Secondary Sources; Researching (PDF)
Japanese Legal Research at the University of Washington
jobs, see Careers & jobs
Johnson, Ralph
Judgments & Liens; Jury Verdicts, Settlements,
Judicial Clerkship Opportunities; Researching
Judicial Systems in Countries Around the World; Legal &
Jury Verdicts, Settlements, Judgments & Liens
Justice; Themis, Goddess of
Juvenile Justice, Research Sources for
K
Keeping Up & Staying Current; Resources for
Kids & Youth; Legal and Law-Related Websites for
Korean Legal Research at the University of Washington
Labor & employment law
- Research in Employment Law: Internet Sources
- Research in Labor & Employment Law
- Unemployment Law Research Guide
- Using the Labor Relations Reporter
Law-Related Blogs in Washington State
law reviews
Legal & General Writing Resources
Legal & Judicial Systems in Countries Around the World
Legal Information on Washington State Law, Sources of Free
Legal Research But Were Afraid to Ask; What You Always Wanted to Know about
Legal Research Sources for the Innocence Project Northwest Clinic
Legislative Advocacy Clinic (PPT)
legislative history
Library of Congress Call Numbers
Liens; Jury Verdicts, Settlements, Judgments &
Low-Cost Legal Research Services on the Web
Luvern Victor Rieke, 1922-2003
Medical Malpractice Issues: Research Sources
mock trial: Sites for High School Mock Trial Students
movies & television
N
National Security Law Resources (research guide, PDF)
Networking & Informational Interviews, Sample Searches for
News & Information Sources; September 11 Tragedy [no longer updated]
News Sources Online; Washington State
Nonlawyers in the Gallagher Law Library; Books Written for
nonlegal research
Ocean & Coastal Law–United States (federal)
Online Citators (PPT)
Online Legal Research for SMA 476
Pharmacy Law; Secondary Sources for
Ph.D. students
- Introduction to Online Resources & Tools (PDF)
- Ph.D. Students; Resources for Law
Popular Names of Constitutional Provisions
Practice Materials; Washington
Primary Law Sources on the Web
Procedure Research Resources; Civil
Public Health Law Resources (for Northwest Government Information Network meeting, Nov. 6, 2009)
Public Service Careers: Research Tips
Race in the Criminal Justice System
Research and Writing Strategy for a Seminar Paper (PPT)
Research Assignments; Surviving Summer
Research Ethics; International
Research Guide for U.S. Ocean & Coastal Law
Research in Employment Law: Resources on the Internet
Research in Foreign & Comparative Law
Research in Labor & Employment Law
Research Sources for Juvenile Justice
Research Strategy for Comparative, Foreign & International Law
Researching Islamic Law Topics Using Secondary Sources (PDF) (companion homework assignment (PDF))
Researching Judicial Clerkship Opportunities
Researching Washington Historical Laws
Resource Guide to the Gallagher Law Library’s Washington State Legal History Collections
Resources for Keeping Up & Staying Current
Resources for Law Ph.D. Students
Rieke, Luvern Victor
RSS Feeds; Blogs &
Rules of Evidence & Comparable State Evidence Rules; Federal
School of Marine Affairs 476
- Print, 2011, PowerPoint slideshow & PDF
- Online, 2011, PowerPoint slideshow & PDF. Handout (PDF)
Sea Research; International Law of the
Seattle Hosts the World Trade Organization: 1999
Secondary Sources for Pharmacy Law
Selected Sources for Environmental Law Research on the Internet
Selective List of Government Internet Resources
Seminar Paper, Research and Writing Strategy for a (PPT)
September 11 Tragedy: News & Information Sources [no longer updated]
Settlements, Judgments & Liens; Jury Verdicts
Sources of Free Legal Information on Washington State Law
Sports Law Legal Research Guide
SSRN (PPT) & SSRN Oct. 2011 (PPTX)
Starting Points for Foreign, Comparative & International Legal Research
State Law; Call Numbers for
Suggested Reading List for Prospective & Current Law Students
Surviving Summer Research Assignments
Taiwan Legal Research at the University of Washington
taxation
- Finding Guide for Federal Tax Materials in the Gallagher Law Library
- IRS Regulations & Pronouncements (PPT)
- Tax Forms & Publications
terrorism
- Law Review Articles on Terrorism
- September 11 Tragedy: News and Information Sources [no longer updated]
Treaties & Other International Agreements
Tribal Court Decisions: Sources
Unemployment Law Research Guide
Uniform Commercial Code Research
U.S. (federal) legal research guides
- Administrative Law Research: Agency Decisions–United States (federal)
- Administrative Law Research: General Sources–United States (federal)
- Administrative Law Research: Rules and Regulations–United States (federal)
- Congressional Research Service Reports
- Federal Bill-Tracking Research Guide
- Federal Government Resources on the Internet
- Federal Legislative History
- Finding Guide for Federal Tax Materials in the Gallagher Law Library
- Indian Law Research
- Judicial Branch Publications
- The Legislative Process
- Maritime and Admiralty Law
- Ocean & Coastal Law Research Guide
- Patent Law Resources
- Popular Names of US Constitutional Provisions
- Research in Copyright Law
- Supreme Court Nominations
- Tax Forms & Publications
- Trademark Law Resources
U.S. Government: Commonly Used Acronyms & Abbreviations
University of Washington School of Law alumni and faculty
- Joan M. Fitzpatrick
- Judge Betty Binns Fletcher
- Ralph Johnson
- Luvern Victor Rieke
- UW Law Graduates on the Bench
- William B. Stoebuck
Useful Websites for Documents Librarians
Using the Labor Relations Reporter
Verdicts, Settlements, Judgments & Liens; Jury
Washington State legal research guides
- Administrative Law Research
- Constitution
- ethics
- Family Law Resources for Washington State
- Law-Related Blogs in Washington State
- Legislative History
- The Legislative Process
- Practice Materials
- Researching Washington Historical Laws
- Resource Guide to the Gallagher Law Library’s Washington State Legal History Collections
- Sources of Free Legal Information on Washington State Law
- Washington State Environmental Policy Act
- Washington State News Sources Online
What Else Can I Do for a Patron with a Legal Question?
What You Always Wanted to Know about Legal Research But Were Afraid to Ask
Wikis and Other Tools for Collaboration
Word Tips to Make Your Life Easier
World Trade Organization; Seattle Hosts the
writing
- Creative Research for Advocacy: Tips for Clinic Students and Others
- Legal & General Writing Resources
- Writing for & Publishing in Law Reviews
Resourceces
See Also
- Free internet US legal research
- Invisible web for legal research
- Legal research: Law of Libraries and Archives
- Legal research: resources for libraries
- IRS Audit Guides — Legal Research
Book Reviews
Publishers and Publishing
Further Reading
Carole A. Levitt and Mark E. Rosch, The Cybersleuth’s Guide to the Internet: Conducting Effective Investigative & Legal Research on the Web (9th ed., 2008).
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