Subject Guide » Legal Reference Sources
Guides to Legal Research
12 resources available.
 - Restricted to WMU users  - Open Access
Guides to legal research provide many different kinds of information. A basic title such as Finding the Law has chapters on court reports, citators, finding cases, statutes, legislative history, and other sources for legal research. Another title, Legal Research Analysis and Writing covers sources but also devotes major sections to "The Specifics of Legal Analysis" and "Legal Writing." Still another title, Legal Information: How to Find It, How to Use It gives a broad overview of how to locate and use legal information. Each title provides basic information about the available sources for legal research, often with examples.
Finding the Law
KF 240 .B45 1999 (Reference Desk Collection)
This regularly updated volume includes chapters that cover court reports, citators, case finding, statutes, legislative history,
constitutional law, administrative and executive publications, court rules and practices, secondary reference sources (e.g., dictionaries, law reviews, directories), and research strategies as well as an introductory chapter on the context of legal research. Appendix A gives a lengthy description of "how to read a case" and there is a title index. More info
Fundamentals of Legal Research
KF 240 .M47x 2002 (Reference Desk Collection) More info
Legal Information: How to Find it, How to Use itPart of the Oryx "how to find it, how to use it" series, this law resources consists of 4 parts: A general Introduction that provides an overview of the legal system and its language; a section entitled "Getting Started" that outlines how to begin basic research in secondary sources; a third section that does the same for federal law; and a final section on state law.
A print copy is available at the Central Reference Desk in Waldo (KF 240 .O365 1999)
Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
KF240 .P885 2004 (Ref. Desk Coll.)
Introductory handbook that includes and introduction to legal research by sources (e.g., case law, secondary authorities,, etc.); the nature and specifics of legal analysis of facts, issues, and cases; and the "writing process for effective legal writing." A glossary and index are included along with data on computer searching and Web sites.
Legal Research: How to Find & Understand the LawThe 9th edition of this introduction to legal sources is easy to understand and use and is available as an e-book as well as in print. The text begins with the traditional law library but extends to the Internet. Sections cover "A Basic Approach to Legal Research," "Time-saving Research Tips," and how to "Know When You're Done." The print copy is found in the Reference Desk Collection (KF 240 .E35 2001)
Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
KF 245 .B58 16th 1996 (Reference Desk Collection)
A style guide which explains rules for citing sources in legal writing.
Introduction to Basic Legal CitationAn excellent overview of how to do correct legal citations.
More info
Doing Legal Research. A Guide for Social Scientists and Mental Health Professionals
KF 240 .M657 1997 (General Stacks)
"Describes how to find, cite, and track cases; statutes passed by the state legislatures or Congress; legislative history of these statutes; and administrative rules, regulations, and decisions promulgated by state and federal administrative agencies (such as the Environmental Protection Agency)"
Federal Register: What It Is and How to Use It
Revised edition, 1992 (KF 240 .F5 1992 Documents Office, and AE 2.108:F31/2 Documents, Stacks)
Find Public Records Fast: The Complete State, County & Courthouse Locator
KF8700 .A19 F56 2000 (Ref)
Regularly updated (3rd ed.) with guidelines on how to search and where categories of records can be found in the public record. Many searching hints and good overall source of information for novice searcher of government recods.
Using Computers in Legal Research: A Guide to LEXIS and WESTLAW
KF 242 .A1 W74 1994 (Ref)
Gives detailed instructions for conducting professional legal research in major online law resources: WESTLAW and NEXIS
The Legal Researcher's Desk Reference
Z 675 .L2 L3832 2000/2001 (Ref)
Gives contact information for legal associations, publishers, law libraries, judges, and bar admissions.
Ask A Librarian
Laurel A. Grotzinger, E-mail: laurel.grotzinger@wmich.edu
Phone: 269-387-5418
Last updated: August 2007
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