Each March, Women’s History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the leaders who have shaped institutions and strengthened communities. At the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library, that reflection includes the remarkable leadership of Mariann Sears, whose tenure as Director marked a historic moment in the library’s long history.
Read moreCelebrating 40 Years of WALT: The Terminal That Helped Bring Legal Research Into the Digital Age
In 2026, the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library commemorates the 40th anniversary of WALT — the West Automated Legal Terminal — a pioneering technology that marked the Library’s entry into the world of online legal research and helped reshape how attorneys, judges, and self-represented litigants access the law.
Read moreSunshine Week Spotlight: The Texas Public Information Act
Each March, Sunshine Week highlights the importance of open government, public accountability, and the public’s right to know how governmental institutions operate. Transparency laws at both the federal and state level play a crucial role in supporting these principles. Many people are familiar with the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which allows members of the public to request records from federal agencies. However, FOIA applies only to federal government records. In Texas, access to information held by state and local governmental bodies is governed by a different law: the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).
Read moreSunshine Week and the Public’s Right to Know
Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan effort aimed at safeguarding the public’s legal right to access government records to support greater openness and transparency. An initiative worthy of more than just one day, Sunshine Week runs from March 15 – 21.
Read moreA St. Patrick’s Day Research Guide for Texas DWI Law
St. Patrick's Day celebrations often include festive gatherings, parades, and—famously—green beverages. While the holiday is associated with celebration and community, it also offers an opportunity to highlight an important legal topic: driving while intoxicated (DWI) and the legal consequences that can follow. Click to learn more about available research tools for understanding the legal consequences of DWI along with self-help resources for obtaining an Occupational Driver’s License (ODL) or nondisclosure.
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