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Welcome
This guide provides an overview of resources for researching California law. Most of the resources listed here are available online. Need additional help with your research? Ask a law librarian for assistance.
Books & Treatises
Start your research with an overview of California law. These resources provide expert analysis on a variety of legal topics, such as contracts, torts, insurance, employment law, family law, corporations, taxation, and more. Extensive citations will guide you to relevant case law and legislation on a particular topic.
Summary of California Law by Call Number: XXKFC80.W5 2005, D'Angelo Law, BookstacksPublication Date: 2005 (10th ed.)16 vol.; updated by pocket parts and supplements
Also available on Westlaw.
California Jurisprudence (Cal. Jur. 3d)Call Number: XXKFC80.C23Publication Date: 2011Print only updated until 2011; see current volumes in Westlaw.
Henke's California Law Guide, 8th ed. by Call Number: XXKFC74.H462 2006, D'Angelo Law, ReferencePublication Date: 2006
For additional treatises on California law, check the California secondary source materials in Westlaw and Lexis.
Practice Materials
California Practice Guides
The Rutter Group California Practice Guides cover a wide variety of legal topics, including: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil Trials & Evidence, Employment Litigation, Ninth Circuit Appellate Practice, and more.
Available in Westlaw.
Jury Instructions
The Judicial Council of California has adopted plain language jury instructions for civil and criminal proceedings. Full-text jury instructions are available from the California Judicial Branch website:
California Style Manual
The California Style Manual is California's version of the Bluebook. Use this citation style for filings in California state courts. A full-text version is available online:
The Bluebook is used in the California federal courts and may be used in some state courts as well. This practitioner's guide will help you determine when to use the California Style Manual, and when to use the Bluebook:
Using the California Style Manual and the Bluebook by
Call Number: XXKFC75.H45 2000, D'Angelo Law, BookstacksPublication Date: 2000
Bar Journals & Legal Newspapers
These bar journals and legal newspapers will help you stay up-to-date on current California legal news:
- California Bar JournalOfficial publication of the State Bar of California.
- California LawyerA monthly legal magazine with legal analysis, technology updates, and practical advice on substantive law.
- The RecorderSan Francisco's daily legal newspaper.
- Daily JournalDaily legal newspaper for California legal news. Subscription required. If working for a California firm, court, or agency, check with your employer to see if you have access.
Ask a Law Librarian
Attribution
Some content in this guide was adapted from California Research In Depth, from the Georgetown Law Library (July 7, 2015).