- Attorneys & legal proceedings
- > Filing a grievance against an attorney
- > Finding an attorney
- > Finding jury verdicts
- > Small claims court
- > Starting a case
- > Writing briefs
- Basic questions
- Forms
- Legal research
A Guide to Using the Gallagher Law Library for Members of the Public: Attorneys & Legal Proceedings
Updated July 2, 2009.
Prepared by Mary Whisner and updated by Rachel Turpin (2009).
This guide provides information on finding attorneys, filing a grievance against an attorney, initiating a court case, writing briefs, and learning about jury verdicts.
How Do I Find an Attorney?
There are many ways to locate a local attorney.
Washington LawHelp's Legal Help Directory lists of legal aid and information services by county. The website also includes:
The leading national directory of lawyers, the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, includes biographical information about lawyers--names, addresses, phone numbers, and, often, where they went to law school, what areas they practice in, etc. The Library has the print copy: KF190.M3 at Reference Area. A free online version is also available.
The Findlaw Lawyer Directory is another nationwide directory of attorneys that allows you to search by city, practice area, and other factors. Findlaw also covers:
The Washington State Bar Association has a searchable attorney directory and provides information on:
- How to Find Legal Help
- Consulting a Lawyer
- Legal Fees
- Communicating with Your Lawyer
- Alternatives to Court
Other searchable online attorney directories include Avvo and Justia, Legal Services & Lawyers.
The American Bar Association publishes Finding the Right Lawyer.
KF311.Z9 F66 1995 at Reference Area.
A self-help legal publisher called Nolo offers information on the following and related topics:
I'd Like to File a Grievance Against a Lawyer. How Does the Grievance System Work?
Review the Washington State Bar Association's guide on Lawyer Discipline in Washington and the grievance form. The Ethics Page for the Public provides additional information.
I Need to Know How to Handle a Case in Court, Including What Papers to File and So on.
Where Do I Start?
Several books and online sources provide useful overviews.
Books
The Pro Se Handbook: A Guide to Representing Yourself in King County Superior Court, published by the King County Bar Association.
KFW530.Z9R46 1998 at Reference Area
Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare & Try a Winning Case (6th ed.) is a useful general work that is not Washington State-specific. Table of contents. The latest edition is in the Reference Area; previous editions are in the Classified Stacks and can be checked out.
KF8841 .B47 2007 at Reference Area
The Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, 7 vols., is also published by the Seattle-King County Bar Association. It discusses a variety of practice issues and prints sample forms for different types of motions. Volume 1 includes chapters on Civil Trial Practice, Appellate Practice, and Guide to King County Superior Court.
KFW80.W27 1986 at Reference Area
You will need to be familiar with the court rules for whatever court your case is in. The Library has several sets containing the Washington court rules. Court rules are also available online.
KFW529 at Reference Area
Washington Practice, 30+ vols., is a legal encyclopedia for Washington State, covering topics like civil practice, contracts, criminal law, elder law, evidence, family law, real estate, and torts. The books are intended for use by attorneys, but they can be useful for people without legal training.
KFW80.W3 at Reference Area
Other books on Washington State law are described in the Gallagher guide on Washington Practice Materials.
Online
Washington LawHelp has several useful documents:
The Washington Courts provide A Citizen's Guide to Washington Courts.
The King County Superior Court website has information on court forms and fees, filing documents, and related topics.
What about Small Claims Court?
Online
Washington Courts: An Introduction to Small Claims Court
Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division: Resolving Consumer Disputes
Washington LawHelp: Small Claims Court
King County Small Claims Court
The Seattle Times, "How to Win the Small Claims Game" (Jan. 26, 2003)
Books
King County Small Claims Courts: A Guide on How to Use the Small Claims Courts and How to Collect Small Claims Judgments is a short guide from the King County Bar Association.
KFW599.K56S543 2001 at Reference Area & online
Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court (12th ed.) is general in nature; it is not tailored to Washington.
KF8769.Z95W37 2008 at Reference Area
How Can I Learn to Write a Brief?
We have many books on legal writing--and almost every book on legal writing will have at least one chapter on briefs. In the Law Library catalog, search for legal-composition as a subject heading. You can limit the search to books on legal composition in the Reference Area. See also the Gallagher guide on Legal and General Writing Resources.
There are also a few books that are so focused on briefs that they only have "briefs" in the subject heading. For them, search for briefs and limit to books in the Reference Area.
The Library has briefs that were filed in cases before the Washington Supreme Court, the Washington Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In addition, some briefs are available on the Internet.
Where Can I Find Out about Recent Jury Verdicts?
Please see the Gallagher guide on Jury Verdicts, Settlements, Judgments, and Liens. Local newspapers
When looking for jury verdicts in national sources, remember that different laws may apply in different states, leading to different settlement or verdict amounts.
For more information about Jury Verdict Reporters not available at the Gallagher Law Library, call (206) 774-0530 and ask about the National Association of State Jury Verdict Publishers.