Law and Legal Research
Local Resources for Assisted Law Research
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries
MTCCL provide free legal information at fifteen county courthouses across the state. Any resident of Massachusetts can obtain a TCLL library card, visit any library location, borrow circulating books, use legal databases, and get help from law librarians in-person, or by chat, text, or email.
The TCLL website is open to all and can help you get started researching laws on a wide variety of topics. The site has an A-Z overview of laws by topic and popular name, and also includes full text of the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), easy navigation to case law, and links to Legal Forms.
Social Law Library
Established in 1803, the Social Law Library is perhaps the oldest and most successful private/public partnership in the Commonwealth’s history.
Today, Social Law is one of the largest and most respected legal-research institutions in the country. Its collection comprises over 500,000 volumes as well as CDs, on-line databases and eBooks. The Library has developed a collection that is current, comprehensive and responsive to patron needs. The Library provides research materials, training, continuing legal education and other services to the three branches of Massachusetts government, dues-paying members from all segments of the private bar throughout Massachusetts, as well as to legal-services organizations and law-related nonprofits in every region of the Commonwealth on a pro bono basis.
Social Law Library at BPL
The Social Law Library in Boston has made a subset of its legal research databases available to public library patrons in Massachusetts. These databases focus on legal topics relevant to Massachusetts, both state and federal. Only available at a Boston Public Library location.
Journals & Databases at BPL
This is a highlighted list of resources. It is is not an exhaustive list of all legal and law related resources held at the BPL.
Journals
American Bar Association Journal A professional journal reporting news and information of interest to
all segments of the legal profession. Articles are written in the style of general interest news magazines and focus on big picture stories with broad reader appeal. Coverage includes timely feature articles, reader exchanges, editorials, practice strategies, interviews with prominent legal figures, and reports on decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Available online.
The American Journal of Jurisprudence is an international journal publishing critical discussions o
f the moral foundations of law and legal systems, exploring current and historical issues in ethics, philosophy of law or jurisprudence, and legal (including constitutional) theory. Available online or in-person at select locations.
Suffolk University Law Review
The objective of SULR is to advance legal education and the legal profession through quality legal commentary and high publication standards. Designed primarily as a research tool for the judiciary, practitioners, scholars, and students, the Law Review contains both professionally-authored and student-authored works. Available online and in-person via BPL. See all Suffolk University Law Journals held at BPL here.
Harvard Law Review
The Harvard Law Review is a student-run organization whose primary purpose is to publish a journal of leg
al scholarship. In addition, the Review aims to be an effective research tool for practicing lawyers and students, and to provide opportunities for its student members to develop their own editing and writing skills. Current issues and back issues available online. See all Harvard Law Publications held at BPL here.
Massachusetts Lawyer's Weekly
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly provides in-depth coverage and analysis of state and federal appe
llate cases, trial court decisions, court rules, trends in the profession, and verdicts and settlements to members of the local legal community, curating the information they need to know to optimize their practices. Issues available in-person only at BPL. See their website here: masslawyersweekly.com.
Databases
Fastcase is a comprehensive, nationwide law library, including case law, statutes, regulations, court rules, constitutions, and law review articles. Visit the Fastcase help feature for tutorials and other tips for effective searching. Only available at Boston Public Library.
HeinOnline contains more than 140 million pages and 125,000 titles of legal history and government documents in a fully searchable, image-based format. Only available at Central Library.
LawDepot allows you to create your own personalized legal documents specific to your state/province and personal situation. LawDepot is now available through OverDrive. Log in using the Libby app or website.
Thousands of legal forms with more forms being added daily. Official, State Specific, Federal, Business, Personal, Real Estate, and General forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues. Includes an Attorney Database organized by practice area.
The Social Law Library in Boston has made a subset of its legal research databases available to public library patrons in Massachusetts. These databases focus on legal topics relevant to Massachusetts, both state and federal. Please ask a BPL librarian for access to this resource. Only available at Boston Public Library.