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California Legal Research

An overview of resources for researching California law.

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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.

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:

Bar Journals & Legal Newspapers

These bar journals and legal newspapers will help you stay up-to-date on current California legal news: 

Ask a Law Librarian

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D'Angelo Law Librarians
Contact:
1121 E. 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-9631
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Attribution

Some content in this guide was adapted from California Research In Depth, from the Georgetown Law Library (July 7, 2015).