Wisconsin State Law Library

Public computers at our libraries provide access to many subscription-based and free research sources. We often talk about what you can search by signing in with your library card. While you can get to a lot of information from anywhere with a Wisconsin State Law Library card, other sources are only available in the library.

Westlaw is available at all three libraries. The library's subscription to Westlaw includes primary law databases (case law, statutes, codes) at the Wisconsin and federal level plus all 50 states. In addition, users can access law reviews, forms, and several treatises. KeyCite, a citation verification tool, is also included. Wireless users at the  David T. Prosser Jr. Library can also access Westlaw from their own devices.
Lexis Advance is available at the David T. Prosser Jr. Library. The library's subscription to Lexis Advance includes primary law databases (case law, statutes, codes) at the Wisconsin and federal level plus all 50 states. In addition, users can search popular treatises and Shepardize citations.
While we have an extensive collection of Wisconsin Jury Instructions, past and present, you can also search or browse these through FastCase on our public computers. The FastCase archive of Wisconsin's jury instructions goes back to 2015.

Do you have a question about local government? Liquor licenses? Zoning powers? The “Legal Opinions” database from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities may have the answer. This CD-ROM includes almost three decades of legal analysis as well as League manuals on assessments, annexation, meeting conduct, and more. This resource is available at the David T. Prosser Jr. Library.
The OED is a well-established source on the meaning and history of words in the English language. This resource is updated quarterly and is available in all three libraries. The library also has a print copy of the most recent edition available at the David T. Prosser Jr. Library.
The National Consumer Law Center library features full access to 20 treatises on consumer law. Popular titles include Consumer Class Actions; Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice; Credit Discrimination; Fair Credit Reporting; and Student Loan Law. Many of these are in print in our library, but can be easily keyword searched through this database.
Search BNA Bloomberg law books, do docket searching, and use Bloomberg Law's legal research and business intelligence tools to find what you need. This resource is available at the David T. Prosser Jr. Library.
This website provides access to Wisconsin State Bar online PINNACLE books collection and forms. You can easily keyword search books here, and access the downloadable forms for our print copies (which used to be issued on CD). Ask a librarian to sign you in.

Due to a downtown Madison power outage, all three of our library locations - the David T. Prosser Jr. Library, Dane County Law Library, and Milwaukee County Law Library - are closed on Friday, July 19. Watch our blog, our website, or our Facebook page for updates.

There is no After Hours use currently. Please call the library on Monday for an update.

Send questions and requests to us by email or leave a voicemail at 608-267-9696. We will respond to questions on Monday, July 22.

Because they are without power, our Madison library locations - the David T. Prosser Jr. Library and the Dane County Law Library - are closed on Friday, July 19. Watch this blog, our website, or our Facebook page for updates during the day.

The Milwaukee County Law Library is operating with limited service today.

Send questions and requests to us by email or leave a voicemail at 608-267-9696. We will respond to questions on Monday, July 22.

The July issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. Your comments are welcome! Please direct them to the editor, Carol Hassler.

In this issue: 

DFI Lien and Trademarks Database

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) recently released the UCC and Trademark Filing System, a new website which allows users to search and file trademarks, tradenames, and UCC filings. Read more

New Books

Our two featured titles this month are Legal Guide to the Business of Marijuana and A Layperson's Guide to Legal Research and Self-Help Law Books. Our July new book list is included. Read more

Tech Tip

It's a given that most people have more than one email address. If you have a Gmail address, there's a twist on "multiple emails" that you may not have heard about before. Read more

Library News

Holiday closures, brand-new CLE classes on open meetings and administrative code research, and other library news. Read more

July Snapshot

This event, held in the Wisconsin State Capitol, celebrated Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson's 43 years of service on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and her upcoming retirement in July. Read more

All three libraries will be closed on Thursday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Send questions and requests to us by email or leave a voicemail at 608-267-9696. We will respond to questions the next day.

Happy Fourth, everyone!