Whether you are looking for a specific legal case or need general legal information, some of these resources may be useful to you. These materials may be published by:

1. the U.S. federal government,
2. state or local governments, or
3. private companies that publish legal materials

If you don't know what you are looking for, please ask for help at the Reference Desk. The reference librarian on duty will be glad to help you. However, reference librarians cannot and will not give legal advice.

This listing is in alphabetical order by title. The notation "REFERENCE" in the books' call number means the books are located in the Reference Collection, which is located on the east side of the main floor of the library. The call numbers will allow you to find the resources within the collection. Most U. S. Government Documents (the abbreviation for this location is "GovDoc") are located on the Third Floor, also on the east side.

Items with a call number that includes "MST Depository" are in a storage facility in Columbia, Missouri. Materials will have to be recalled from the depository before they can be made available for patron use.

In addition to the printed books, some of this information is available in electronic format. If electronic content is available, click on the underlined title to access the title online.

Occasionally, the original publication date of a title listed below is included in the call number. Usually, if the material is located within Reference, the materials are kept current with some form of supplement. These might be in the form of "pocket parts" or separate supplements. (In other words, you cannot rely on the call number date to determine currency of a publication.)

Additional Resources:

FindLaw is a commercial site with an extensive set of links to legal information. FindLaw appears to be comprehensive. Check it out!

The Missouri Bar Association has prepared several brochures and introductory guides to a wide variety of legal topics. One publication in particular, Client Resource Guide, is an extremely useful introduction to many commonly asked questions. This publication also includes an extensive directory of state agencies and local organizations to which further specific inquiries may be made.

Resources on Specific Legal Topics:

Environmental Law Handbook
Reference KF3775 E473 2009

Gives an overview of environmental law fundamentals and outlines the current environmental, health, and safety laws

Nolo's Encyclopedia of Everyday Law
Reference KF387 .N65 2005

Provides answers to commonly asked legal questions in easy-to-understand language

Patent, Copyright, & Trademark
Reference KF2980 .E44 2006

Gives an overview of patent, copyright, and trademark law, including definitions of important terms

Patent It Yourself
Reference KF3114.6 .P75 2005

Provides a guide to the steps in obtaining a US patent

Technology and Copyright Law: A Guidebook for the Library, Research, and Teaching Professions
Reference KF3030.1 .B533 2007

Discusses the development of copyright laws in regard to technological changes, as well as information on fair use/p>

West's Business Law
Reference KF888 .J46 2007

Covers the fundamentals of business law

Go to the Subject Guides page

Go to Curtis Laws Wilson Library

Last Updated 12/08/2010