Free Consultations with an Attorney

On Monday, May 1, 2017 volunteer attorneys will provide free consultations in English and Spanish at the Dane County Law Library. These clinics are drop-in only and do not take appointments. This special event only happens once a year on Law Day. Don't miss it!

Free consultations with a volunteer attorney:

English and Spanish Assistance Available!

When: Monday, May 1, 2017

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Where: Dane County Law Library, Room L1007

Dane County Courthouse

215 S. Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703

Sólo sucede una vez al año…el Dia de la Ley!!

Consultas gratis con un abogado voluntario

Ayuda disponible en inglés y en español

Se atiende por orden de llegada, no aceptan citas

Cuando: Lunes 1º de Mayo 2017
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Where: Biblioteca Legal, Cuarto L1007
La Corte del Condado de Dane
215 S. Hamilton St., Madison WI 53703

Congratulations, Law School Graduates!

Did you know that all attorneys licensed in Wisconsin qualify for a free Wisconsin State Law Library card? A library card gives you access to legal databases, such as HeinOnline and Index to Legal Periodicals, plus the ability to check out books from our Madison and Milwaukee locations. 

The Wisconsin State Law Library invites law school graduates to stop by the library for a tour. Interested in obtaining a library card? You can apply for a library card online and learn more about what the Wisconsin State Law Library has to offer!

May CLE Classes

Don't forget to register for these three CLE classes in May!

Topics in International Law
Thursday, May 4, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Library, Central Library

FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is suggested through the Milwaukee Public Library and space is limited. Call 414-286-3011 to register. These are demonstration classes.

Advanced Westlaw
Tuesday, May 16, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library training room

Learn how to best utilize Westlaw in this course by: Learning about advanced search and field searching on content category search pages; Harnessing the power of advanced annotation features such as highlighting and foldering; Incorporating Key Numbers and Key Number Searching into your research; Exploring headnotes and other editorial enhancements, such as notes of decisions and statutes index; Covering advanced options for Alerts and Automated searches; Utilizing advanced customization features for "Copy with Reference", Highlighted terms, Result list display, and Document Delivery; Learn how to access Westlaw from other devices.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online | Print Registration Form

HeinOnline - What's New and What's Improved
Wednesday, May 24, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin State Law Library training room

HeinOnline offers an extensive legal research collection, including law reviews, legal periodicals, federal regulations, congressional record, classic treaties and more. In this session, participants will learn about the new features offered from HeinOnline.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online | Print Registration Form

Come in for Cake on Wednesday, April 19

We're celebrating our 181st birthday on Wednesday! Stop by the library any time between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a slice of cake to help us celebrate.

The Wisconsin State Law Library was established in 1836 by the same Act of Congress that created the Territory of Wisconsin and is the oldest library in Wisconsin. 

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National Library Week Recap

Thanks for joining us during our National Library Week celebration! The State Law Library had several activities happening this past week, including free CLE classes, a Q&A on Ballotpedia, and a fabulous pie and coffee social.

Happy National Library Week!

National Library Week is April 10-14 and the State Law Library has several free classes and social events. Stop by our downtown Madison location for a presentation and Q&A on Ballotpedia, happening Tuesday at noon. And on Thursday, head to the library for socializing, coffee, and pie from 1-3.

Every visitor to the library during the week can play our guessing game to guess the number of pretzels in the display at the circulation desk. The closest two guesses win a prize!

Don't miss these special events: 

Ballotpedia
Tuesday, April 11, Noon
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library rare book room
No registration necessary

Ballotpedia is an online encyclopedia of American politics and elections. A representative from Ballotpedia will present an overview of the website and field questions from the audience.

Stop by for Coffee & Pie
Thursday, April 13, 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser, Jr. State Law Library

To cap off National Library Week we're hosting a coffee and pie social. Library staff will be available to give demonstrations of our new, free public scanner.

Download event flier

WSLL @ Your Service: April 2017

The April 2017 issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. As always, your comments are welcome. Please direct them to the editor, Kristina Martinez.

In this issue:

What's New

April 10-14 is National Library Week. Join us for CLE classes, a special presentation from Ballotpedia, and on Thursday, coffee and a slice of pie. Read more

This Just In

Real estate transactions system and How to succeed as a trial lawyer are our two featured titles this month. As always, don't miss our new book list. Read more

Tech Tip

If you're looking for an alarm that fits your wake up style, consider the many alarm clock apps available for your smartphone. Read more

Odds 'n' Endings

Read about jokes, hoaxes, and April Fool's Day - including our own April Fool's jokes. Read more

LA Law reunion show

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Not since the filming of Public Enemies at the Capitol has a Madison film event been this anticipated. This April the library will host L.A. Law cast and crew as they film the much anticipated reunion show. This planned two hour television event will see half of the cast – old and new – stranded in time. In a desperate search for clues, the "2017" team – led by Blair Underwood's character Jonathan Rollins - will be filmed feverishly reading through classic legal texts looking for clues in old cases and scholarly tomes in order to find their missing coworkers.

Filming will take place in and around the library's rare book room, which also once served as film backdrop for Chad Vader. Filming is expected to begin on April 1st.

New edition of Law of Dollhouses

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With several newly revised chapters, the third edition of Law of Dollhouses is required reading for doll law practitioners. Updated chapters include:

• Overview of new landlord-tenant laws and their impact on landlord entry, house repair responsibilities and building codes (is play-dough a suitable building material?), and ADA guidelines for rental dollhouses with second stories but no staircases.
• New small business tips - includes a micromanagement checklist for clients.
• Plus, an all new chapter: Help! There's a hand in my living room! Handy tips for recurrent home invasions.

New library dress code

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This month, library patrons will have the opportunity to participate in a new program to promote Mock Trial Awareness. Throughout the month of April, library patrons will be encouraged to conduct their research "robed" i.e. wearing a judge or barrister robe.

Don’t own a dress robe? No problem. As you enter the library, look for the "robe rack" to the right of the circulation desk. It will be stocked with various sizes of black robes and other traditional court dress. Library users may choose a robe and optional wig and then go about their business in the library. There will be one scarlet robe, available for "red letter days." Any patron celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special day is encouraged to wear the scarlet robe during their time at the library. Other patrons are expected to "yield to the scarlet robe" while in line to check out books, scan books at the library’s new scanner, or take a drink at the bubbler.