Research by Subject: Law
Books: Use the Library Catalog
LexisNexis Academic 
Full-text access to continuously updated news, law, and business information. Highlights: News: news wires, transcripts, regional, national/international news, & Gallup Polls; Legal: law review articles, case law, and federal/state codes; Business: company profiles, country profiles, and SEC filings; People: directories from the entertainment industry, elected officials, executives, politicians, and obituaries.
CQ Weekly
Weekly info on Congress: reports on upcoming issues, wrap up of news, status of bills, behind-the-scenes action, committee and floor activity, debates and all roll-call votes.
CIAO: Columbia International Affairs Online
Theory and research in international affairs; working and occasional papers, research projects, conference proceedings, books, journals and policy briefs. 1991-
ABI/INFORM databases 
Search all three ABI/Inform databases together here, or choose one at a time below.
Business Source Premier (Original Interface)
Business topics: management, economics, finance, accounting, international business, etc. SWOT analysis on selected companies.
Note: Also available via Special Business Interface
Social Science Research Network (SSRN) 
Indexes & abstracts research papers in the social sciences (legal, management, marketing, political, etc.). Contains working / forthcoming papers (not yet available in print). Some are fulltext.
LexisNexis Academic
Full-text access to continuously updated news, law, and business information. Highlights: News: news wires, transcripts, regional, national/international news, & Gallup Polls; Legal: law review articles, case law, and federal/state codes; Business: company profiles, country profiles, and SEC filings; People: directories from the entertainment industry, elected officials, executives, politicians, and obituaries.
FindLaw
Legal news, forms, and articles on legal topics. Includes U.S. Supreme Court decisions from 1999- present.
Legal Information Institute (LII)
Cornell University Law School website. Go to Constitutions &Codes > U.S. Code to find the useful Table of Popular Names. Researchers can look up the name of an act and find the corresponding USC and Public Law number.
AltLaw
Links to nearly 170,000 decisions dating back to the early 1990s from the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Appellate courts. Includes searching in the US Code. A joint project of Columbia University Law School and the University of Colorado Law School.
Digestible Law: Perkins Coie's Internet Case Digest
By the law firm Perkins Coie, this site "digests" Internet case law. Use LexisNexis to search for the full case cited.
PolicyArchive
Digital library of public policy research with more than 12,000 policy documents from about 220 think tanks and research groups.
Almanac of American Politics
Call Number: Ref JK271 .A5
From the National Journal Group, this annual directory covers biographies of Congress & state governors; it also includes election results. Current ed. is at the Reference Desk. 1972+ General Stacks
Facts.com
Information on issues, events, and people. 1940-present. Incorporates World Almanac and Book of Facts.
Biography resource center + Complete Marquis Who's Who
Biographical information on people worldwide throughout history across all disciplines.
CQ's Politics in America
Call Number: REF DESK JK1083 .B55 2007
Published annually, it contains in-depth profiles of members of Congress. Current ed. at the Reference Desk. Prior 4 years are in the General Stacks.
Oyez : U.S. Supreme Court Multimedia 
User friendly website that contains biographies of Supreme Court justices, case decisions, and some transcripts audio of select cases.
Communication & Legal Studies: Keep me Posted @ IC Library
Blog of legal, communication, and library news in service to the programs in the Park School of Communications and Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies.
Freedom to Tinker
Blog by Ed Felten, Professor of Computer Science, Princeton University and Alex Halderman, grad student, that explores legal regulation of technology.
Media Law Prof Blog
Blog edited by Christine Corcos, Associate Prof. of Law, LSU, that posts legal news in media law.
Oxford Reference: Law
This group of online reference books includes: The Oxford Companion to American Law; Oxford Dictionary of Law; The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States; The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions.
Black's Law Dictionary
Call Number: Ref KF 156 .B53 2004
Standard dictionary that provides basic definitions of legal jargon. 8th ed.
Dictionary of the Social Sciences
The over 1,800 entries in this dictionary contains definitions and biographies of major figures. Entries span from classic to modern theories and include major issues and methodologies.
Congressional Directory (U.S. Congress)
Presents short biographies of each member of the Senate and House, listed by state or district, and additional data, such as committee memberships, terms of service, administrative assistants and/or secretaries, and room and telephone numbers. It also lists officials of the courts, military establishments, and other Federal departments and agencies, including D.C. government officials, governors of states and territories, foreign diplomats, and members of the press, radio, and television galleries.
Federal Court Locator (Villanova University School of Law)
Provides access to information related to the federal judiciary, including slip opinions. This information can be viewed on-line or it can be downloaded. Links to circuit and district courts are provided.
Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator
Search for lawyers and law firms by practice area and location. Provided free by LexisNexis.
New York Red Book
Call Number: REF DESK JK3430.N5
Annual directory of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of New York government. The current edition is behind the reference desk. Most prior editions from 1897+ are in general stacks.
New York State (online)
Links to departments and agencies and all three branches of New York State government.
United States Government Manual
Provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Also includes information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, and boards, commissions, and committees.
Call Number: REF JK421 .A3
Provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Also includes information on quasi-official agencies, international organizations in which the United States participates, and boards, commissions, and committees.
ebrary
Over 44,000 full-text ebooks on business & economics, education, technology, humanities, life & physical sciences, law & politics, medicine, social & behavioral sciences, language & literature, and career guidance. Approximately 175 ebooks are single-user access titles; all other ebooks support multiple-user simultaneous use. In order to view, copy, or print from an ebook, you must download and install the ebrary Reader plugin.
Note: Viewer download works best with IE; don't use pop-up blockers; remote users may encounter a warning about a certificate during login - just accept it
Public domain: how to find & use copyright-free writings, music, art & more
by Stephen Fishman. Nolo, 2006. Each chapters is devoted areas in copyright and public domain such as music, art, movies, television, photography, computer software, architecture, choreography, databases and collections.
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, 2nd ed.
Is a reference devoted to the terms and concepts of U.S. law. It covers a wide variety of persons, entities, and events that have shaped the U.S. legal system.
Encyclopedia of Native American legal tradition
Call Number: REF F8204 . E53
Integrating American Indian law and Native American political and legal traditions, this encyclopedia includes detailed descriptions of nearly two dozen Native American Nations' legal and political systems such as the Iroquois, Cherokee, Choctaw, Navajo, Cheyenne, Creek, Chickasaw, Comanche, Sioux, Pueblo, Mandan, Wyandot, Powhatan, Mikmaq, and Yakima
Nolo\'s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law
by Shae Irving. Nolo, 2005 (6th ed.). Covers: Houses, neighbors, landlords and tenants, workplace, small business, patents, copyrights, trademarks, money, cars, wills, healthcare directives, older americans, spouses, children, courts, and criminal law.
GPO Access
Government Printing Office site. Links to official U.S.government documents such as the U.S. Code (USC) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Search the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications in the middle of the homepage to find Congressional hearings, reports, etc.
Thomas - Legislative Information
Database of United States legislative information including: bills, resolutions, the Congressional Record, treaties, Committee Reports, Public Laws, Roll Call Votes, etc.
E-Codes: Municipal Codes on the Internet
Online municipal codes for various townships, towns, cities, and boroughs provided by General Code publisher. Includes Ithaca (city and town).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The US EPA provides information on major environmental topics, including laws and regulations.
Europa : European Union On-Line
Gateway to European Union. It provides up-to-date coverage of European Union affairs and essential information on European integration. Go to the Documents tab to connect to EUR-LEX (E.U. Law), the Bulletin of the E.U., and other agency materials.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Directory, press releases, quick facts, and topical information from the FBI.
National Conference of State Legislatures
This website offers research and policy information on multi-state legislation. Particularly helpful is the Issue Areas tab.
National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS): Virtual Library
US Dept of Justice, Office of Justice Programs site that is a portal to justice and substance abuse information useful for research and policy development. Topics include: corrections, courts, crime, crime prevention, drugs, the justice system, juvenile justice, law enforcement and victims. The collection of several thousand full-text publications, primarily government documents, can be searched.
New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)
Unofficial version of NY Regulations. Users must search to find regulations.
New York State Legislature: Bill text
Search bill text, status, summaries, sponsor memos, and floor vote. Links to search for NYS Legislative Bills, NYS Legislative Resolutions, and the Laws of New York (see also: LexisNexis - Federal & State Codes - NY Consolidated Law Service).
New York State Unified Court System
Portal to court law libraries and legal information from New York State. Go to Courts > Decisions to find recent decisions.
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Information on patents, trademarks, and copyright.
Project Sunlight
NY State Office of the Attorney General's portal to NY State information.
Supreme Court of the United States
The official website of the Supreme Court provides recent and pending case opinions, the current calendar, oral argument transcripts and a docket database. Go to Oral Arguments > Argument Transcripts for transcripts. Go to Opinions > Bound Volumes to browse the U.S. Reports. Slip opinions are also available.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Resources include data and analysis.
Oxford Reference: Law
This group of online reference books includes: The Oxford Companion to American Law; Oxford Dictionary of Law; The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States; The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions.
Legal Research Illustrated
Call Number: REF DESK KF240 .J32 2002
Mersky &Dunn's overview of how to conduct basic legal research is a classic primer. 8th ed.
Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation
Call Number: REF DESK KF245 .U55 2005
The most commonly used citation guide for legal researchers. Sometimes called the Harvard Bluebook. 18th ed.
Guide to Law Online (Law Library of Congress)
Annotated guide to sources of information on government and law available online.
Legal Guide to Broadcast Law and Regulation
Call Number: Ref KF 2805 .L44
Is designed to give the broadcaster a more comprehensive analysis and understanding of the many rules, regulations, and laws that effect broadcasters in their day to day operations.
Media and American Courts: a reference handbook
Call Number: REF KF 9223.5 .A9154 2004
by S.L. Alexander. ABC-CLIO, 2004.
National Survey of State Laws
Call Number: REF KF386 .N38 2008
6th ed., 2008. Identifies sections of state codes, state by state, for popular issue areas such as: antitrust, capital punishment, gun control, prayer in schools, whistleblower statues, abortion, gambling, right to die, lotteries, taxes, etc.
New York Legal Research Guide
Call Number: REF KFN5074 .G53 1998
2nd ed., 1998. The basic information needed to understand legal practice in New York state.
Street Law: A course in practical law
Call Number: REF KF387 .A72 2005
7th ed., 2005. Easy to comprehend primer for students new to law. Helps connect legal jargon and the legal system to practical everyday situations. Covers criminal law, torts, housing, consumer law, juvenile justice, family law, and individual liberties.
The First Amendment Center
Clearinghouse for information concerning the five freedoms (speech, press, assembly, petition and religion) guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Advocates for civil liberties including First Amendment rights, equal protection under the law, due process, and privacy. Founded in 1920.
Amnesty International
Advocates for human rights around the world. Search the research page to find AI reports.
Brennan Center for Justice (NYU)
New York University School of Law. Think tank that addresses problems of democracy and justice. Site covers the following issue areas: Access to Justice; Campaign Finance Reform; Courts &Government; Immigrant Rights; Liberty & National Security; Criminal Justice Reform; Voting Rights &Elections; and Wages, Jobs &Economy.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Think tank founded in 1910 that promotes peace between nations. Maintains programs on: China, Democracy & the Rule of Law, the Middle East, Nonproliferation, Russia &Eurasia, South Asia, & Trade, Equity & Development.
CATO Institute
Libertarian think tank founded in 1977 that provide research in the following areas: Bioethics, Education &Child Policy, Government &Politics, Immigration &Labor, Law &Civil Liberties, Regulatory Studies, National Security &Foreign Policy, Budget &Tax Policy, Energy &Environment, Health &Welfare, International Economics, Political Philosophy, and Telecom, Internet & Information Policy.
Center for the Study of the Public Domain
Duke Law site devoted to promoting global understanding of public domain issues. Includes the graphic novel Bound by Law that explores a filmmaker's exploration of copyright for a documentary film.
Citizen Media Law Project
Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University. Assists citizen media creators navigate legal issues & risks.
Creative Commons
Artistic creators can assign works a CC license that explicitly grants degrees of permission for usage of personal works. The site includes images, audio, video, text and even lesson plans.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Advocacy group focused on civil liberties online.
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Advocacy group defending human rights around the world. Site can be searched by country or by issue area. Many free documents can be accessed under the publications page. An annual film festival is held.
International Anticounterfeiting Coalition (IACC)
Promotes laws and regulations that combats intellectual property theft such as counterfeiting and piracy. Members include the RIAA & the MPAA.
Media Law Resource Center (MLRC)
Nonprofit clearinghouse to monitor developments on the First Amendment, libel laws, privacy, and other areas. The Public Resources tab includes libel FAQs, the MLRC bulletin, Articles and Reports, MLRC 50 State Survey, and news. Online Resources include: Lawsuits Against Bloggers, Reporters\' Privilege, State FOI Laws.
Pew Center on the States
Policy solutions for state governments from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Project Censored
Students and faculty from Sonoma State University track overlooked news that appears in independent journals and newsletters. An annual list of the top 25 censored stories are compiled.
Public Knowledge (PK)
Advocacy group focused on digital rights.
RAND Corporation
Think tank that publishes reports in the following issue areas: Arts, Child Policy, Civil Justice, Education, Energy &Environment, Health &Health Care, International Affairs, National Security, Population & Aging, Public Safety, Science &Technology, Substance Abuse, Terrorism &Homeland Security, Transportation & Infrastructure, &Workforce &Workplace.
World Intellectual Property Organization
A good site for searching non-US patents.
American Memory: Century of Lawmaking
Full-text of U.S. Congressional documents from 1774-1875 including the Statutes at Large, American State Papers, U.S. Serial Set, Congressional Globe &Record, House and Senate Journals, and letters and journals from the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention.
American Presidency Project
A digital archive of the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States from Hoover to Bush (1929 to present); see also IC Library stacks at: J80 .A283. The site also includes: inaugural addresses, radio addresses, fireside chats, debates, convention speeches, and party platforms.
Avalon Project at Yale Law School
Digital documents relevant to the fields of Law, History, Economics, Politics, Diplomacy and Government.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Executive department rules codified from the Federal Register.
Congressional Committee Reports (US Congress)
Beginning with the 104th Congress (1995-1996) to the present.
Court Opinions from the FCC
Chronological list of court filings from the Office of the General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission. Links to fulltext of FCC briefs and recent court opinions.
Documents of American broadcasting
Call Number: REF KF2804 .D6 1984
Key documents including: The Wireless Ship Act of 1910; The Radio Act of 1912; The Radio Act of 1927; The Mayflower Doctrine (1941); The Fairness Doctrine (1949); The Red Lion case (1969); the Communication Act of 1934, etc.
Eurodocs
Provides links to European primary historical documents that are transcribed, reproduced in facsimile, or translated. All sources are openly accessible.
FCC & FRC Reported Cases
Cases involving the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) and/or the FRC (Federal Regulatory Commission). Lists of cases and their citations, some with links. 1928-current with a lag of a few years.
Media Law reporter
Call Number: REF KF2750 .A513
Covers new cases for radio, television, and journalism. Updated weekly. Bound cases from v.1 1977-
New York State Digital Collections: catalog
Contains over 65,000 documents relating to New York State. Three main collections include: 1. New York State Government Publications (Regents exams from 1957 to current), 2. New York State Scanned Documents Collection (broadsides, maps, manuscripts, and special collections) and 3. Education Laws and Policy documents
Supreme Court of the United States
The official website of the Supreme Court provides recent and pending case opinions, the current calendar, oral argument transcripts and a docket database. Go to Oral Arguments > Argument Transcripts for transcripts. Go to Opinions > Bound Volumes to browse the U.S. Reports. Slip opinions are also available.
U.S. Code from the House of Representatives
Searchable version of the U.S. code either by keyword, boolean or by title and section.
United states code congressional and administrative news (USCCAN)
Call Number: REF KF48 .U58
Contains public laws, legislative histories, executive messages and orders, administrative regulations, lists of committees, indexes & tables, for each session of Congress. Library has 1952+ (lacks 1961, 1963, 1965-66).
World Court Digest
Digest of international case law from the judgments, advisory opinions and orders of the International Court of Justice as well as in the separate opinions of individual judges.
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Data on capital punishment, correctional populations, criminal victimization, domestic violence, drug use, and workplace crime.
National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD)
Facilitates criminal justice research by making available data, reports, and publications. Users can create an account. Some data is restricted to ICPSR members.
Uniform Crime Reports (FBI)
Annual statistical publications, including the comprehensive Crime in the United States, produced from data provided by nearly 17,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Also data from annual publications, such as Hate Crime Statistics and Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted.
United Nations Common Database
UNCDB provides selected series from numerous specialized international data sources for all available countries and areas.
LexisNexis Academic
Full-text access to continuously updated news, law, and business information. Highlights: News: news wires, transcripts, regional, national/international news, & Gallup Polls; Legal: law review articles, case law, and federal/state codes; Business: company profiles, country profiles, and SEC filings; People: directories from the entertainment industry, elected officials, executives, politicians, and obituaries.
Oyez : U.S. Supreme Court Multimedia
User friendly website that contains biographies of Supreme Court justices, case decisions, and some transcripts audio of select cases.
Supreme Court of the United States
The official website of the Supreme Court provides recent and pending case opinions, the current calendar, oral argument transcripts and a docket database. Go to Oral Arguments > Argument Transcripts for transcripts. Go to Opinions > Bound Volumes to browse the U.S. Reports. Slip opinions are also available.
Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property
Washington College of Law, American University, webcasts.
University Computer Policy and Law Program
Cornell University, Office of Information Technology, posts free lectures that discuss information technology ethics.
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