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We offer two ways of searching our catalog: a law library only catalog and OCLC WorldCat. Other catalogs are also available. More
Expand your legal research options with online sources provided by the Gallagher Law Library. More
How do I search for laws on a particular subject? How can I compile a legislative history for a Washington (or federal) law? How can I locate court opinions about a topic? To answer these and other frequently asked questions, the reference librarians have prepared a series of legal research guides. Use these guides to get started on your research project when a reference librarian is not available to assist you or as a reminder as you conduct your research. More
Here, you will find a list of websites that provide legal information and materials (including laws, bills, court opinions, and related documents) and/or links to legal material. Most of these sites are freely available to all users with Internet access. Some sites are UW Restricted, that is, available to University of Washington faculty, students, and staff and visitors to UW Libraries.More
Updated March 14, 2011. Last updated by Ellen Richardson, law librarianship intern. List of previous updates.
The following is a selective list. For more titles, check the Law Library catalog. Hint: books aimed at nonlawyers often have "popular works" in the subject heading, so include that term in your catalog search, along with the subject in which you are interested. See also the Gallagher guide on Sources of Free Legal Information on Washington State Law.
See also Courts; Litigation
Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System, 3d ed. (Oxford University Press, 2010). KF387.F45 2010 at Classified Stacks
The Peoples Law School: Citizen's Handbook (Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, 2002). KFW81.P46 2002 at Reference Area
Legal Research: How to Find & Understand the Law, 14th ed. (Nolo, 2007). KF240.E35 2007 at Reference Area
Real Life Dictionary of the Law: Taking the Mystery Out of Legal Language (General Publishing Group, 1995). KF156.H55 1995 at Reference Area
American Law: An Introduction (W.W. Norton, 1998). KF387.F74 1998 at Classified Stacks
Law Dictionary for Nonlawyers, 3d ed. (West, 1991). KF156.O7 1991 at Reference Area
Legal Research Made Easy, 4th ed. (Sphinx Pub., 2005). KF240 .H47 2005 at Reference Area
When the Dog Bites: The Essential Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Washington (Word Ass'n Pub. 2008). KFW84.5.D65 .D38 2008 at Reference Area
Every Dog's Legal Guide: A Must-Have Book for Your Owner, 6th ed. (Nolo, 2007). KF390.5.D6R36 2007 at Reference Area
Consumers' Guide To Getting Legal Help (American Bar Association, 2000). KF311.Z9 C66 2000 at Reference Area
Mad at Your Lawyer? (Nolo, 1996). KF311.Z9S73 1996 at Reference Area
The New Bankruptcy: Will It Work for You? (Nolo, 2006). KF1524.6.E43 2006 at Reference Area
American Bar Association, Guide to Credit & Bankruptcy (Random House, 2006). KF1524.6.G85 2006 at Reference Area
How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, 16th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1524.6.E4 2009 at Reference Area
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Repay Your Debts, 8th ed. (Nolo, 2006). KF1524.6.L46 2006 at Reference Area
How to Form a Corporation, LLC, or Partnership in Washington (Corporate Pub. Co., 2000). KFW213.5.Z9B76 2000 at Reference Area
Incorporation and Business Guide for Washington: How to Form Your Own Corporation, 7th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 1996). KFW213.Z9C64 1996 at Reference Area
Form a Partnership: The Complete Legal Guide, 8th ed. (Nolo, 2008). KF1375.Z9C55 2008 at Reference Area
Form Your Own Limited Liability Company, 6th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1380.Z9M36 2009 at Reference Area
Interpreting and Negotiating Licensing Agreements: A Guidebook for the Library, Research, and Teaching Professions (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1999). KF2980.B54 1999 at Classified Stacks
The Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business, 11th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1659.Z9S76 2009 at Reference Area
Legal Guide to Web & Software Development, 5th ed. (Nolo, 2006). KF390.5.C6 F57 2006 at Reference Area
Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business (Nolo, 2006). KF390.E57S87 2006 at Reference Area
Citizens Rule Book (Liberty Lobby, 1995). KF387.C57 1995 at Reference Area
For the People: What the Constitution Really Says About Your Rights (The Free Press, 1998). KF4550.Z9A43 1998 at Classified Stacks
The Religion Guarantees: A Reference Guide to the United States Constitution (Praeger, 2005). KF4783.Z9 R64 2005 at Classified Stacks
The Right to Protest: The Basic ACLU Guide to Free Expression (Southern Illinois University Press, 1991). KF4778.R54 1991 at Reference Area
The Rights of Racial Minorities: The Basic ACLU Guide to Racial Minority Rights, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1993). KF4755.Z9L37 1993 at Reference Area
The Right to Religious Liberty: The Basic ACLU Guide to Religious Rights, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1995). KF4783.L96 1995 at Reference Area
The Rights of Women: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to Women's Rights, 4th ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 2009). KF478.R68 2009 at Reference Area
The United States Constitution: Questions and Answers (Greenwood Press, 1998). KF4550.V553 1998 at Reference Area
Everyday Contracts: Protecting Your Rights: A Step-by-Step Guide (Random House, 1991). KF801.Z9M55 1991 at Reference Area
Simple Contracts for Personal Use, 2d ed. (Nolo, 1991). KF801.Z9E545 1994 at Reference Area
See Patent, Trademark & Copyright.
See also Litigation.
A Citizen's Guide to Washington Courts, 9th ed. (Office of the Administrator for the Courts, 2001). KFW510.Z9C57 2001 at Reference Area & Reference Office
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Understanding the Federal Courts.
Congressional Quarterly's Desk Reference On American Courts (CQ Press, 2000). KF8720.B37 2000 at Reference Office
How Courts & Judges Work: HALT's Guide to America's Civil Justice System, 2d ed. (HALT, 2005). KF8700.H35 2005 at Classified Stacks
Law & the Courts (American Bar Association, Division for Public Education, 2008). KF8841.L33 2008 at Classified Stacks
The Supreme Court Explained (W.W. Norton, 1997). KF8742.Z9G728 1997 at Reference Area
American Bar Association, Guide to Credit & Bankruptcy (2006). KF1524.6.G85 2006 at Reference Area
Solve Your Money Troubles: Debt, Credit & Bankrupcty, 12th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1501.Z95L46 2009 at Reference Area
Everyday Law for Individuals with Disabilities (Paradigm Publishers, 2006). KF480.C649 2006 at Reference Area
Legal Rights: The Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, 5th ed. (Gallaudet University Press, 2000). KF480.5.D4L43 2000 at Reference Area
U.S. Dep't of Justice, Civil Rights Section, A Guide to Disability Rights Laws (2002). KF480.Z9G85 2002 at Reference Area
The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child, 4th ed. (Nolo, 2005). KF4209.3.Z9 S57 2005 at Reference Area
Special Education and the Law: A Legal Guide for Families and Educators. What Parents and Educators Should Know about the Laws and Court Decisions That Affect the Education of Students with Disabilities in Washington State (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1998). KF4210.Z95 D3878 1998 at Classified Stacks
The American Bar Association Legal Guide for Older Americans: The Law Every American Over Fifty Needs to Know (Times Books, 1998). KF390.A4A43 1998 at Reference Area
Medicare Explained (Commerce Clearing House, annual). KF3515.C7 at Reference Area
Social Security Explained (Commerce Clearing House, annual). KF3649.C67 at Reference Area
Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits, 16th ed. (Nolo, 2011). KF3650.M37 2011 at Reference Area
Employee/Employer Rights: The Complete Guide for the Washington Work Force, 2d ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 1992). KFW331.Z9P454 1992 at Reference Area
The American Bar Association Guide to Workplace Law: Everything You Need to Know about Your Rights as an Employee or Employer (Times Books, 1997). KF3319.6.F53 1997 at Reference Area
The Employer's Legal Handbook, 8th ed. (Nolo, 2007). KF3455.Z9 S74 2007 at Reference Area
The Rights of Employees and Union Members: The Basic ACLU Guide to the Rights of Employees and Union Members, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1994). KF3455.Z9O98 1994 at Reference Area
The Rights of Public Employees: The Basic ACLU Guide to the Rights of Public Employees, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1993). KF5337.O5 1993 at Reference Area
The Rights of Racial Minorities: The Basic ACLU Guide to Racial Minority Rights, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1993). KF4755.Z9L37 1993 at Reference Area
The Rights of Women: The Basic ACLU Guide to Women's Rights, 3d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1993). KF478.R68 1993 at Reference Area
Sexual Harassment on the Job: What It Is & How to Stop It, 4th ed. (Nolo, 1999). KF3467.Z9P47 1999 at Reference Area
Your Rights in the Workplace, 9th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF3455.Z9R47 2010 at Reference Area
Washington
Divorce Guide for Washington, 12th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 2005). KFW100.Z9D3 2005 at Reference Area
Family Law in Washington State: Your Rights and Responsibilities, 4th ed. (Northwest Women's Law Center, 2003). KFW94.F36 2003 at Reference Area
File for Divorce in Washington + CD-ROM (Sphinx Publishing, 2005). KFW100.Z9R53 2005 at Reference Area
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Legal Guide for Washington State (Northwest Women's Law Center, 1998). KFW104.6.Z9S74 1998 at Classified Stacks
Marriage, Separation, Divorce, and Your Rights: For Wives, Husbands, Children, and Cohabiting Couples in Washington, 4th ed. (International Self-counsel Press, 1994). KFW94.Z9W33 1994 at Reference Area
General
The American Bar Association Family Legal Guide, 3d ed. (Random House Reference, 2004). KF387.Y68 2004 at Reference Area
Building a Parenting Agreement That Works, 6th ed. (Nolo, 2007). KF547.Z9L97 2007 at Reference Area
Divorce and Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce, 10th ed. (Nolo, 2011). KF524.Z9W66 2011 at Reference Area
Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples, 14th ed. (Nolo, 2008). KF538.I35 2008 at Reference Area
The Rights of Families: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to the Rights of Family Members Today (Southern Illinois University Press, 1996). KF505.Z9G84 1996 at Reference Area
U.S. Dep't of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, A Family Resource Guide on International Parental Kidnapping (2002). K707.F36 2002 at Classified Stacks
Family Advocate, a journal from the American Bar Association Family Law Section, has published a series of issues aimed at clients:
The American Bar Association Complete and Easy Guide to Health Care Law: Your Guide to Protecting Your Rights as a Patient: Dealing with Hospitals, Health Insurance, Medicare, and More, 1st ed. (Three Rivers Press, 2001). KF3821.Z9A22 2001 at Reference Area
The Americans with Disabilities Act: Questions and Answers (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission & U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civil Rights Division, 2006). KF480.Z9A54 2006 at Classified Stacks
The Consumer's Legal Guide to Today's Health Care: Your Medical Rights and How to Assert Them (Houghton Mifflin, 1992). KF3821.Z9I83 1992 at Reference Area
Medicare Explained (Commerce Clearing House, annual). KF3515.C7 at Reference Area
Patients Rights in the Age of Managed Health Care (Facts on File, 2001). KF3823.Y68 2001 at Reference Area
The Rights of Patients: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to the Rights of Patients (Southern Illinois University Press, 2004). KF3825.A95 2004 at Reference Area
The Rights of People Who Are HIV Positive: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to the Rights of People Living with HIV Disease and AIDS (Southern Illinois University Press, 1996). KF3803.A54R83 1996 at Reference Area
Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits, 16th ed. (Nolo, 2011). KF3650.M37 2011 at Reference Area
How to Get a Green Card, 9th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF4840.Z9L49 2010 at Reference Area
Immigrating to the U.S.A., 8th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 2002). KF4819.6.D35 2002 at Reference Area
A Legal Guide for ICE Detainees: Petitioning for Release from Indefinite Detention (American Bar Association, Commission on Immigration, 2006). KF4819.6 .L44 2006 at Classified Stacks
U.S. Immigration Made Easy, 12th ed. (Nolo, 2006). KF4819.6.C36 2006 at Classified Stacks
Landlord/Tenant Rights in Washington, 9th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 1999). KFW117.Z9S7 1999 at Reference Area
The American Bar Association Guide to Home Ownership: The Complete and Easy Guide to All the Law Every Home Owner Should Know (Times Books, 1995). KF390.H53A46 1995 at Reference Area
Every Landlord's Legal Guide, 10th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF590.Z9S74 2010 at Reference Area
Every Tenant's Legal Guide, 6th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF590.Z9P67 2009 at Reference Area
Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries, and Noise, 6th ed. (Nolo, 2008). KF639.Z9J67 2008 at Reference Area
A Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples, 15th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF538.C87 2010 at Reference Area
The Rights of Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, and Transgender People: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender Person's Rights, 4th ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 2004). KF4754.5.Z9R54 2004 at Reference Area
See also Courts.
The Lawsuit Survival Guide: A Client's Companion to Litigation. (Nolo, 2001). KF8863 .M28 2001 at Reference Area
The Pro Se Handbook: A Guide to Representing Yourself in King County Superior Court, 3d ed. (King County Bar Association, 2006). KFW530.Z9R46 2006 at Reference Area
Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare and Try a Winning Case, 5th ed. (Nolo, 2005). KF8841.B47 2005 at Reference Area
On Your Own: Your Legal Rights (King County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2001). KF465.O5 2001 at Reference Area. 2005 ed.
Teen Legal Rights (Greenwood Press, 2000). KF479.H46 2000 at Reference Area
The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident Case, 2d ed. (Word Ass'n Pub., 2007). KFW191.A4 D38 2007 at Reference Area
Beat Your Ticket: Go to Court & Win! 6th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF2231.Z9B76 2010 at Reference Area
How to Form and Maintain a Nonprofit Corporation in Washington State, 2d ed. (King County Bar Association, 2001). KFW211.H69 2001 at Reference Area
Washington Nonprofit Handbook: How to Form and Maintain a Nonprofit Corporation in Washington State, 2009 ed.
How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation, 9th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1388.Z9M36 2009 at Reference Area
Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide, 4th ed. (Wiley, 2005). KF1388.H66 2005 at Reference Area
Patent, Copyright & Trademark, 11th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF2980.E44 2010 at Reference Area
The Copyright Handbook: What Every Writer Needs to Know, 10th ed. (Nolo, 2008). KF2995.F53 2008 at Reference Area
Copyright Your Software, 3d ed. (Nolo, 2001). KF3024.C6F57 2001 at Reference Area
Getting Permission: How to License and Clear Copyrighted Material Online & Off, 4th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF3024.C6 S75 2010 at Reference Area
How to Register Your Own Copyright, with Forms, 3d ed. (Sphinx Pub., 2000). KF3004.Z9W373 2000 at Reference Area
The Rights of Authors, Artists, and Other Creative People: The Basic ACLU Guide to Author and Artist Rights, 2d ed. (Southern Illinois University Press, 1992). KF390.A96N67 1992 at Classified Stacks
What Is a Copyright?, 2d ed. (American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law, 2001). KF2995.A53 2001 at Reference Area
The Inventor's Notebook: A "Patent It Yourself" Companion, 5th ed. (Nolo, 2008). KF3114.6.G75 2008 at Classified Stacks
Patent It Yourself, 14th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF3114.6.P74 2009 at Reference Area
Basic Facts About Trademarks (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1998). T223.V1B31 1998 at Reference Area
How to Register Your Own Trademark, with Forms, 3d ed. (Sphinx Pub., 2000). KF3181.Z9W37 2000 at Reference Area
Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name, 9th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF3180.Z9M28 2010 at Reference Area
Washington
The Ten Biggest Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Washington Accident Case, 2d ed. (Word Ass'n Pub., 2007). KFW191.A4 D38 2007 at Reference Area
Washington Injury Law: A Reference Guide for Accident Victims (Speaker Media Press, 2010). KFW191.A4 D385 2010 at Reference Area
When the Dog Bites: The Essential Guide to Dog Bite Claims in Washington (Word Ass'n Pub. 2008). KFW84.5.D65 .D38 2008 at Reference Area
Wrongful Death in Washington State (Davis Law Group, 2010). KFW197.D25 D38 2010 at Reference Area
General
How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim, 7th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF1257.Z9M37 2009 at Reference Area
Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, 13th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF8769.Z95W37 2010 at Reference Area
King County Small Claims Courts: A Guide on How to Use the Small Claims Courts and How to Collect Small Claims Judgments (King County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, 2001). KFW599.K56S534 2001 at Reference Area. 2005 ed.
Basic Federal Income Tax, 3d ed. (Aspen Law & Business, 2008). KF6369.3 .L54 2008 at Reference Area
Stand Up to the IRS, 10th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF6324.Z9D345 2009 at Reference Area
Surviving an IRS Tax Audit (Nolo, 1999). KF6314.Z9D277 1999 at Reference Area
Probate Guide for Washington: A Step-by-Step Guide to Probating an Estate, 4th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 1991). KFW144.Z9V3 1991 at Reference Area
A Will Is Not Enough in Washington: Simple, Practical Things a Washington Resident Can Do to Preserve Assets, Avoid Probate, Avoid Guardianship, Provide for Health Care, Provide for the Family's Care (2004). KFW140.W55 2004 at Reference Area
Wills for Washington: How to Make Your Own Will, 6th ed. (Self-Counsel Press, 1996). KFW144.Z9V36 1996 at Reference Area
The American Bar Association Guide to Wills and Estates: Everything You Need to Know about Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Taxes, 2d ed. (Random House Reference, 2004). KF755.Z9A376 2004 at Reference Area
The Complete Guide to Living Wills: How to Safeguard Your Treatment Choices (Bantam Books, 1991). KF3827.E87W4 1991 at Reference Area
The Executor's Guide: How to Administer an Estate under a Will (Praeger, 2004). KF778.K57 2004 at Reference Area
Make Your Own Living Trust, 9th ed. (Nolo, 2009). KF734.Z9C57 2009 at Reference Area
Nolo's Simple Will Book, 7th ed. (Nolo, 2007). KF755.Z9C54 2007 at Reference Area
Plan Your Estate, 10th ed. (Nolo, 2010). KF750.Z9C59 2010 at Reference Area
Who Will It Hurt When I Die?: A Primer on the Living Trust (Honor Bound Books, 1992). KF734.G66 1992 at Reference Area
Previously updated by Leslie Street (Oct. 2007), Jorge Juarez (Nov. 2004), Susan Lupton (Summer 2004), and Colleen Williams (Jan. 2003).
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