Space Still Available in June Class

Space is still available for our June CLE class, Researching Wisconsin Legislative History: Sources and Strategies. Sign up online or print a registration form.

Researching Wisconsin Legislative History: Sources and Strategies
Thursday, June 21, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
"I need the legislative history of a Wisconsin statute. Where do I start? What do I do?" In this class, participants will identify and locate the primary sources of law used to research Wisconsin legislative history, navigate the online Wisconsin legislative drafting files, and learn the step by step approach to this kind of research - along with a few timesaving tips. $70. 2 CLE credits applied for. 

Libraries Closed: Monday, May 28th

The Wisconsin State Law Library, Milwaukee Legal Resource Center, and Dane County Legal Resource Center will be closed on Monday, May 28th in observance of Memorial Day.

To submit a question to the Wisconsin State Law Library while we are closed, you may call us at 608-267-9696 or Ask a Librarian online.

We will respond to questions and requests on Tuesday, May 29th.

WSLL Recommends: Sexual Orientation and the Law

In response to ongoing changes in the law, the 2012 edition of Sexual Orientation and the Law (Thompson/West) includes significant updates. This two volume treatise contains contributions from practitioners throughout the United States and includes a number of sample forms and briefs. The focus is primarily on the legal concerns of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transsexuals, as well as others who live outside societal "norms" regarding gender or sexuality. However, it also includes information for individuals with HIV or AIDS.

Information for attorneys representing same-sex couples can be found in chapters on same-sex marriage, civil unions, and tax planning. A chapter on death, incapacity, and illness covers topics like cohabitation agreements, living wills, provisions for children, health care, life insurance, and more. Advances in reproductive technology are reflected in an updated chapter on raising children and the new family law, which includes new analysis on the parentage, surrogacy, and custody of children.

Civil rights, discrimination, juvenile and criminal justice, and the military and veterans are also covered. A chapter covering state initiatives discusses different types of legislative initiatives and challenges.

The treatise includes a comprehensive index and an updated tables of laws, rules, and cases. This includes a table of Wisconsin laws related to sexual orientation, correlated to the relevant sections from the book. Sexual Orientation and the Law is available for checkout from the Wisconsin State Law Law Library.

New Look On WSLL Public Computers

Walk-in library users at the Wisconsin State Law Library (WSLL) will notice a new look to our public computers. We recently upgraded to Windows 7 and updated various software packages on the network. In addition, users will now have their choice of three web browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Chrome. We've added Libre Office, a free open source suite providing word processing and other applications.

The upgrade also allows us to provide seamless in-library access to our Books Unbound subscription of browsable and searchable State Bar of Wisconsin CLE titles.

Please see our Computers & Internet page for complete list of legal research applications available at the library.

Happy Anniversary, WisconsinEye!

Happy Anniversary, WisconsinEye! On May 16th, WisconsinEye celebrates five years of televising and recording Wisconsin government in action. WisconsinEye provides nonpartisan coverage of legislative, judicial, and administrative actions in Wisconsin. It also covers community events and provides an array of important interviews and conversations with Wisconsin's present and past leaders.

What C-SPAN is to Washington DC, WisconsinEye is to the entire state of Wisconsin! Citizens can view WisconsinEye coverage on television (Time Warner Cable digital Channel 363 and Charter digital Channel 995) and online at www.wiseye.com. Watch it live or catch up on recent events through the web archive.

Upcoming Classes for May and June

Two CLE classes are now open for registration in May and June. Registration is limited to 8 attendees for each class, so sign up soon - either online or print a registration form.

Introduction to PACER
Wednesday, May 23, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
This one-hour class will demonstrate the Federal Court System's "Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)" database. Learn how you can access federal court dockets through the Internet and obtain full text documents filed in federal civil and criminal court. $35. 1 CLE credit applied for.

Researching Wisconsin Legislative History: Sources and Strategies
Thursday, June 21, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
"I need the legislative history of a Wisconsin statute. Where do I start? What do I do?" In this class, participants will identify and locate the primary sources of law used to research Wisconsin legislative history, navigate the online Wisconsin legislative drafting files, and learn the step by step approach to this kind of research - along with a few timesaving tips. $70. 2 CLE credits applied for.

Appointment of Wisconsin State Law Librarian

We are happy to announce that Julie Tessmer has been appointed as the Wisconsin State Law Librarian. Julie has been with the library since 1982.

Julie's extensive professional experiences include serving as Law Library Consultant in Nigeria and Serbia for the National Center for State Courts and various Chair and Committee assignments in the Law Librarians Association of Wisconsin and the American Association of Law Librarians.

She is also a member of the United States Navy - Reserves Component, has served in active military service in Iraq in 2009-2010, and is certified as Legalman through the Naval Justice School.

Celebrating Law Day

To quote from our May newsletter: 

Law Day has been observed every May 1 since its establishment in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. Activities are taking place in courthouses around the country – including several in Wisconsin - to support the American Bar Association's 2012 theme, "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom" and promote public understanding of how courts and the judicial process work.

Don't miss cake, courthouse tours, and legal clinics at the Dane County Courthouse today!

Our mission is to serve the legal information needs of the State of Wisconsin. If you're a library, a legal assistance organization, agency, or anyone else in need of law library resources, think about providing our brochure or bookmarks for your staff or the people you serve. We're available to assist you by phone or email. Don't forget to consult our Legal Topics and Learning Center online resources when you're doing research, or the new Wisconsin Court System self-help law center. If you're a teacher, be sure to take a look at the WI Court System's resources for educators and kids as well.

Choose Privacy Week: May 1-7

The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging Americans to celebrate freedom by participating in Choose Privacy Week, May 1-7.  The ALA encourages citizens to examine and support privacy rights in the digital age. One goal is to spark a national conversation about the need for national policies that protect privacy. Events in celebration of this week include a special screening of Big Brother, Big Business: Data Mining & Surveillance on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Visit PrivacyRevolution.org to learn more!