Washington State Law Library

The Washington State Law Library’s mission is to promote reliable access to legal information and provide expert legal reference assistance.

Latest Stories

Legal news has been rife with discussion of new artificial intelligence (AI) products and predictions regarding the impact of AI on lawyers…

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Jun 13

Writing Wrongs: Language Choice in Legal Writing

With a List of Suggested Resources

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May 29

The Supremacy Clause and Law Enforcement

Occasionally we get asked the question, “Can the federal government force a state government to enforce state laws?” It’s an interesting…

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May 13

Law Day 2024: Voices of Democracy

Each year on May 1st the legal community gathers together to celebrate “the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal…

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May 1

Fair Housing Month — 56 Years of the Fair Housing Act

On April 11, 1968 President Lyndon Johnson signed a landmark piece of legislation. A follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the…

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Apr 29

Washington’s Therapeutic Courts: Innovative Programs Continue to Expand in the State

Washington’s Therapeutic Courts: Innovative Programs Continue to Ex...

You may have heard of alternative courts in Washington, often referred to as therapeutic courts. Drug courts, in particular, have become…

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Apr 16

Probate in Washington — Online and Library Resources

Losing a loved one is never easy. Along with the grief of saying goodbye, making funeral arrangements, and other important decisions…

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Mar 21

Looking for Laughs in All the Law Places

Legal research can be a real slog. But have you ever noticed that titles to law review articles are oftentimes actually entertaining or…

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Mar 14

Man of Treacherous Charm: Territorial Justice Edmund C. Fitzhugh — A Book Review

Man of Treacherous Charm: Territorial Justice Edmund C. Fitzhugh — ...

With Historical Perspective from Lawrence M. Friedman’s “A History of American Law”

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Mar 6

Latest

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Feb 26

A brightly colored illustration shows a courtroom. Tables for counsel are in the left of the frame, with two people sitting at them. An attorney in the middle of the illustration faces away and stands directly in front of the jury, each of whom is looking at the attorney and listening. A judge holding a gavel in their left hand is on the bench at right. A court reporter sits to the left of the judge’s bench. A window at right is shown with sunlight forming shadows on the wall behind the jurors.

Summoned: Making the Case for Jury Service

A library staff member was recently summoned for jury duty. So we thought we would…

Reference Staff

Feb 12

Two books sit side by side on a shelf. They are shown with their covers out. The book on the left is titled, “Treaty Justice: The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights.” The book on the right is titled, “Pacific Salmon Law and the Environment.”

Remembering the Boldt Decision

Landmark Treaty Rights Case Turns 50

The right of taking…

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Feb 6

A person is holding up a tablet in front of a bookcase filled with books. They are taking a picture with the tablet, so the books are visible on the tablet screen as well. Only the person’s hands are visible. They wear read fingernail polish and have a ring on their right ring finger. They also wear a watch on their left wrist.

Grab Your Devices — We’ve Got New eBooks!

It’s always an exciting time when we get new books here in the law library. It’s…

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Jan 30

Seven books are displayed against a light colored background with their covers out. Two of the books in the center of the display are on their sides such that their titles are sideways.

New to the Collection: Family Law, Employment Law, Environmental Law Books and More

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Jan 23

The entrance to the Washington State Legislative Building is shown. Columns adorn the entrance with the Capitol dome rising above the facade and lettering that reads, “Legislative Building.” A blue sky with clouds can be seen in the background.

The Law Library Guide to the 2024 Legislative Session

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Jan 17

A white plastic cat with blue eyes is standing with its arms up and its right hip to the side. It holds a white wireless earbud in each of its hands. The cat is set on a white surface and its shadow can be seen directly behind its feet.

Step into 2024 with These Legal Podcasts

Looking to get your podcast mojo back in the new year? Look no further! We’ve got some…

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Dec 28, 2023

Key Federal Conservation Law Turns 50: The Endangered Species Act

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Dec 15, 2023

Eleven books are lined up on a shelf. The two books on the outside face out somewhat, allowing a view of the book covers. The nine other books have their spines facing out.

New to the Collection: Books on Social Justice

This is our third blog installment highlighting recent additions to our…

Reference Staff

Dec 7, 2023

An image of the book “Mad River, Marjorie Rowland, and the Quest for LGBTQ Teachers’ Rights” is shown on the right. The cover of the book is purple with yellow and pink text and includes a black and white photo of a woman with short hair and dangling earrings. Behind and to the left of the book cover is an illustration of a wavy rainbow colored band or ribbon. At top left, red text reads “Book Review.”

Mad River, Marjorie Rowland, and the Quest for LGBTQ Teachers’ Rights — A Book Review

Reference Staff

Nov 29, 2023

A brown wooden judge’s gavel rests on a light colored marble surface. The gavel’s shadow can be seen at right.

Administrative Hearings: Your Day in Court

** This blog post is intended for informational purposes only, and not for the…

Reference Staff

Nov 17, 2023

Nine books are displayed on a shelf. Four books on the left and three books on the right are standing with their spines out. The two books in the middle are displayed with their covers out. The titles on these two books are “Fixing Legal Injustice in America” and “The Crisis in America’s Criminal Courts.”

New to the Collection: Books on Criminal Justice Reform

Reference Staff

Nov 15, 2023

A light colored traditional canoe with Native American artwork on the side is shown. There is a bundle of greenery hanging on the front of the canoe and a yellow flag with lettering is attached to the back. Nine people are in the boat using traditional paddles to move the boat through the water. Several of the people in the boat wear traditional woven hats.

Native American Heritage Month: Embracing Indigenous Knowledge and Educating Washington’s Students

Reference Staff

Oct 30, 2023

A girl who is wearing her hair pulled up on top of her head looks into the camera. She wears blue and yellow clothing and a necklace.

Keeping Families Together — Changes to Washington’s Child Protection System

An Overview with Resource…

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Sep 25, 2023

Five books are scattered over a dark purple background. One book has the title “Extending Justice” and the image on the cover is a silhouette of Lady Justice holding scales up with her left arm. There are multicolored stripes superimposed over the cover image. Another book has the title “Take Problem-Solving Courts to Scale.” It, too, has a photo of Lady Justice on the cover with books blurred in the background. The book title is printed in white text on a rust colored banner.

New to the Collection: Books for Legal Professionals

Reference Staff

Sep 8, 2023

Demonstrators, most of whom are wearing face masks, stand or walk in front of a pedestrian crossing signal. They are facing something that is outside of the frame to the right. Several demonstrators are holding signs. The sign facing the camera has mostly red text and reads, “Am I next?”

Hate Crimes in Washington: Recent Changes in State and Federal Law and a Guide to Resources

Reference Staff

Aug 29, 2023

A tablet is shown alongside a partially visible cup and saucer with cookies and a pen. The word “Constitution” is prominently displayed in red on the tablet. Other words relating to the Constitution are displayed in varying colors and sizes.

Celebrating Constitution Day with the Newly Published Constitution Annotated Research Guide

Reference Staff

Aug 3, 2023

More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech — A Book Review

Reference Staff

Jul 27, 2023

Governor Inslee signs a bill at the end of a long table. Lined up on one side of the tabletop is legislation that is waiting to be signed. A United States flag and a Washington State flag are displayed behind Inslee.

The 2023 Legislative Session in Review — History in the Making

Reference Staff

Jul 12, 2023

A photograph shows a green carpeted corridor and bookshelves in the Washington State Law Library at the Temple of Justice.

State Law Library Becomes Part of Supreme Court

Services Remain the Same

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Jul 5, 2023

A couple stands with their heads together while they smile and look into the camera. The background is blurry and appears to show a street and trees.

Washington State Law Library

The Washington State Law Library’s mission is to promote reliable access to legal information and provide expert legal reference assistance.

AI Legal Research for Busy Lawyers

Writing Wrongs: Language Choice in Legal Writing

The Supremacy Clause and Law Enforcement

Law Day 2024: Voices of Democracy

Fair Housing Month — 56 Years of the Fair Housing Act

Washington’s Therapeutic Courts: Innovative Programs Continue to Ex...

Probate in Washington — Online and Library Resources

Looking for Laughs in All the Law Places

Man of Treacherous Charm: Territorial Justice Edmund C. Fitzhugh — ...

Summoned: Making the Case for Jury Service

Remembering the Boldt Decision

Landmark Treaty Rights Case Turns 50

Grab Your Devices — We’ve Got New eBooks!

New to the Collection: Family Law, Employment Law, Environmental Law Books and More

The Law Library Guide to the 2024 Legislative Session

Step into 2024 with These Legal Podcasts

Key Federal Conservation Law Turns 50: The Endangered Species Act

New to the Collection: Books on Social Justice

Mad River, Marjorie Rowland, and the Quest for LGBTQ Teachers’ Rights — A Book Review

Administrative Hearings: Your Day in Court

New to the Collection: Books on Criminal Justice Reform

Native American Heritage Month: Embracing Indigenous Knowledge and Educating Washington’s Students

Keeping Families Together — Changes to Washington’s Child Protection System

An Overview with Resource…

New to the Collection: Books for Legal Professionals

Hate Crimes in Washington: Recent Changes in State and Federal Law and a Guide to Resources

Celebrating Constitution Day with the Newly Published Constitution Annotated Research Guide

More Than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech — A Book Review

The 2023 Legislative Session in Review — History in the Making

State Law Library Becomes Part of Supreme Court

Services Remain the Same

WA Cares Fund: What to Know About Washington’s New Long-Term Care Benefit Program