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.

A Consequential 1924 Immigration Law and the Washington State Repre...

One hundred years ago, the American immigration landscape was transformed by a new restrictive law called the Immigration Act of 1924. Also…

Reference Staff

Aug 27

Like and Follow — Keeping up With the Law on Social Media

Are you on Insta? Facebook? X (formerly known as Twitter)? TikTok? LinkedIn? Snapchat? If you have a portable electronic device, the…

Reference Staff

Jul 30

Disability Pride Month: The Olmstead Decision Turns 25

July is Disability Pride Month. But just weeks ago, on June 22nd, the disability rights community had another reason to celebrate. It was…

Reference Staff

Jul 24

The 2024 Legislative Session in Review

The 2024 legislative session is in the books and most of the laws passed are already in effect! Despite this session being the shorter of…

Reference Staff

Jul 5

20 Years of Same-Sex Marriage: A Look Back at Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

20 Years of Same-Sex Marriage: A Look Back at Goodridge v. Departme...

June is Pride Month

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Jun 28

Latest

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Jun 13

A graphic features the abbreviation “AI” in blue text, displayed centrally and prominently. The letters are surrounded on both sides by circuit board imagery, also in blue. A separate blue flowing graphic rises in the middle of the image over the letters. The image background is dark blue.

AI Legal Research for Busy Lawyers

Legal news has been rife with discussion of new artificial intelligence (AI) products and…

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May 29

On the left side of the photo, small wooden letter tiles are scattered on a wood grained surface. At center right, tiles form the words “WORDS HAVE POWER,” one word per row. A person’s hand is shown at bottom right placing the last tile in the word “POWER.”

Writing Wrongs: Language Choice in Legal Writing

With a List of Suggested Resources

Reference Staff

May 13

A black and white photo shows a the top part of a metal statuette of a Lady Justice. She holds a scale in her raised left hand and is blindfolded. The bottom and sides of the photo show some blurred shapes in the background.

The Supremacy Clause and Law Enforcement

Occasionally we get asked the question, “Can the federal government force a state…

Reference Staff

May 1

A photograph shows a red book with the word “LAW” on the cover. The book is flanked at top by two red, white, and blue buntings, and at left by an American flag.

Law Day 2024: Voices of Democracy

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

Reference Staff

Apr 29

A photo shows a wooden gavel propped on a wooden sound block. To the right of the gavel is a miniature model of a white and gray two story house with a covered porch in front. The model rests on a red book with the title “Fair Housing Act” on the spine. An old fashioned scale and books on book shelves can be seen in the background, but they are blurred.

Fair Housing Month — 56 Years of the Fair Housing Act

Reference Staff

Apr 16

A photograph shows a person’s forearms raised up. Gray shirtsleeves are barely visible at the bottom of the image. The person has a woven or beaded multicolor bracelet and a dark colored leather bracelet on their right wrist. They have one locked handcuff on their left wrist. Attached is an open handcuff that swings in the air between their hands. A blue sky with puffy white clouds is shown in the background.

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

Reference Staff

Mar 21

A black and white photo shows wooden Scrabble tiles that are placed on a flat surface. The letters on the tiles form the word “PROBATE.” The tiles are set at an angle.

Probate in Washington — Online and Library Resources

Reference Staff

Mar 14

A graphic shows three large three dimensional red capital letters from a slightly sideways perspective. The letters are L-O-L.

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…

Reference Staff

Mar 6

A book cover is shown with a reproduction of an old photograph with a red filter. The portrait photo is of a man with medium length hair and a bushy mustache and beard. He appears to be wearing a shirt and jacket and looks directly into the camera. The title of the book appears at top in white text and reads, “Man of Treacherous Charm: Territorial Justice Edmund C. Fitzhugh.” The author’s name is at bottom in white text and reads, “Candace Wellman.”

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

With Historical…

Reference Staff

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…

Reference Staff

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

Reference Staff

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.”

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.

Blawgs, Dawgs, and Possible Frauds

Our Temporary Location Shuts Its Doors for Good on October 1st!

Freed Between the Lines: Banned Books Week 2024

Get Ready for Our Return to the Temple of Justice!

A Consequential 1924 Immigration Law and the Washington State Repre...

Like and Follow — Keeping up With the Law on Social Media

Disability Pride Month: The Olmstead Decision Turns 25

The 2024 Legislative Session in Review

20 Years of Same-Sex Marriage: A Look Back at Goodridge v. Departme...

AI Legal Research for Busy Lawyers

Writing Wrongs: Language Choice in Legal Writing

With a List of Suggested Resources

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 Expand in the State

Probate in Washington — Online and Library Resources

Looking for Laughs in All the Law Places

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

With Historical…

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