In the New Year, a multitude of resolution lists will appear across the media outlets. Here is our top five list for 2008:
Keep your research up to date. A timely call to a reference librarian can save money when it leads to finding that one new case that was decided a day before you file that all important brief. With our new computer layout in the Seattle library, you can even save legal research to a flash drive. Using HeinOnline at one of the seven main computers allows you to save law review articles and sections of the CFR and Federal Register, along with federal agency decisions.
Keep your home page set to KCLL. The KCLL Web site has many direct links to free legal research, whether your source is local, state or federal. Also included on the Web site is a handy “Ask a Question” link through which you can get direct answers via email from our staff.
Check out the Westlaw or Lexis computers. These databases are free for your use. The 15-cents-per-page printing cost is a small price to pay for database searches that can run into thousands per year. Our Westlaw plan has extensive national coverage with all federal and state statutes, cases and administrative materials available with the click of a mouse.
Don’t forget the secondary treatises in this plan too, including American Law Reports, American Jurisprudence 2nd, Restatement of the Law, American Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms, American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts, American Jurisprudence Trials, Causes of Action, Wright & Miller Federal Practice and Procedure, West’s Federal Forms and Jury Verdicts Northwest.
Check out our Legal Eagle Collection. We currently have nearly 200 legal-related DVDs that you can use for personal or business purposes. Some judges have even checked out DVDs to utilize in presentations for attorneys. From “To Kill a Mockingbird” to “The Firm,” we have something you would be interested in. Stay tuned to our Web site for information on a regular presentation in our training room of one of the movies from the collection.
Reserve a conference room during trial. A mid-size firm recently reserved a large conference room for seven weeks during an extensive trial and it became the staging area for the attorneys who were successful in their case. The cost is only $10 per hour for subscribers.
Most importantly, never hesitate to contact us. We are resolved to serve you with a timely response for your research request. Whether by phone, fax or email, let us know when you need something or need it in a hurry.
Training Classes: The following classes will be held in January in the Seattle Legal Research Training Center — Legal Research for the Non-Attorney: Part 1 & 2 (January 11 & 18, noon to 1:30 p.m.); Finding Superior Court Information (January 14, noon to 1 p.m.); and Skip Tracing (January 30, 4 to 6 p.m.). Contact us at 206-296-0940 to sign up as these classes fill up quickly.
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Marcus Hochstetler is the King County Law Librarian. Please direct comments or questions to him at 206-296-0940 or marcus.hochstetler@metrokc.gov.
In the New Year, a multitude of resolution lists will appear across the media outlets. Here is our top five list for 2008: