Black's Law Dictionary
The unabridged law dictionary, Black's is the dictionary used by the legal profession. Most definitions are understandable by the layperson. Available in hardbound or paperbound, Black's can be found in large bookstores, many public libraries and in all law school bookstores. Or, contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.
The First Amendment Handbook
More of a booklet than a book, The First Amendment Handbook is, in the words of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, "a first line of defense in the battle to protect the news media's right to gather and disseminate the news." The handbook covers basic law dealing with problems of libel, invasion of privacy, court access and access to news in language understandable to non-lawyers. Price is $4. The Reporters Committee has a number of other excellent publications and services for journalists. Contact the Reporter's Committee for Freedom of the Press, Suite 504, 1735 Eye Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.
General Laws of Massachusetts
Published by the Massachusetts Legislature, the General Laws of Massachusetts is the official compilation of all Massachusetts statutes. It is the only listing of statutes published with the assistance of the Massachusetts Legislature and is more accurate than other compilations. As the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court requires that all citations in legal matters be drawn from the GLM, the books form an excellent resource for journalists. Unlike other compilations of Massachusetts statutes, which are hardcover and cost thousands of dollars, the GLM is in paperback, is easily portable and the 15-volume set is under $400. Included in the price are monthly updates and the entire set is revised every other year. The GLM is a superb reference for any newsroom. Contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.
A Journalist's Primer on Locating Legal Documents
A Journalist's Primer on Locating Legal Documents, is a 50 page booklet written to help journalists locate and access public documents that will provide them with valuable information. It is divided into sections on individual's backgrounds , court records , government agency records, property records and political records. There is a resources section listing address of agencies that maintain records a reporter might find useful. Copies are $2 each, $1.75 each for 50 or more. Handling fee is $1 for orders under $5, $2.95 for orders over $5. Order publication PC # 468-0017 from The American Bar Association, Commission on Public Understanding About the Law , 750 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611.
The Lawyer's Almanac
The publisher, Prentice Hall Law & Business, refers to The Lawyer's Almanac as "a complete reference to vital facts and figures about the legal profession." The book contains over 1,000 pages of data on the practice of law. Examples of material included: the 500 largest law firms, billing rates of major firms, survey of corporate lawyer salaries, legal education and bar admission statistics, ranges of verdict awards and federal litigation statistics. Contact Prentice Hall Law & Business, 910 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632.
Law Dictionary
This dictionary, published by Barron's, is not as huge as Black's Law Dictionary but is still quite comprehensive. It's also much more portable than Black's. $9.95 at bookstores or contact Barron's Educational Series Inc., 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788
Law Pamphlets
As a public service, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Foundation publish pamphlets for consumers on different aspects of the law. Titles include How to Protect Your Privacy; Your Rights if Arrested; A Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance; You, Your Marriage and the Law; Buying and Selling a House; Why Probate?, and a number of others. Single copies are available free of charge although the public is requested to send a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope for every two titles requested. Contact the Massachusetts Bar Association, 20 West St., Boston, MA 02111-1204, (617)-0500.
The Maps
This spiral-bound book contains maps and written directions to the locations of all the courts in Massachusetts. Published by Lawyers Weekly Publications, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) (617) 451-7300.
Massachusetts Lawyers Diary and Manual
The Lawyers Diary and Manual includes phone numbers and addresses for every lawyer admitted to the bar in Massachusetts, phone numbers and addresses of state and federal judges, names and locations of all courts and court-related agencies, bar association contacts, a Massachusetts municipal directory, and lots more information. Issued annually. To order, write Massachusetts Lawyers Diary and Manual, PO Box 1232, Newark, NJ 07101-1232 or call (800) 444-4041.
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
Lawyers Weekly is the trade journal read by most practicing Massachusetts lawyers. Each issue contains timely articles on developments in the practice of law, legislation, activities of the various bar associations, the past week's opinions of the courts and human interest stories. Many journalists who cover law find Lawyers Weekly to be an excellent source of information on the legal profession. To subscribe, contact Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 451-7300.
Massachusetts Rules of Court -- State and Federal
As the title suggests this softcover book covers all the rules and procedures of the various Massachusetts state courts and the federal courts. While not written in lay terms. The book provides some insight into the mysteries and vagaries of the court system. Contact West Publishing Company, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., PO Box 64833, St. Paul, MN 55164-9752 or call (800) 328-9352.
The Rules
A compilation of all rules for Massachusetts courts and local rules for federal courts. While this information is the same as that in West Publishing's Massachusetts Rules of Court -- State and Federal, this version is bound in a three-ring binder and is periodically updated. Published by Lawyers Weekly Publications, 30 Court Square, Boston, MA 02108. (617) 227-6034.
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