Free Virtual Program (4/11/22): Legal Research for the Non-Law Librarian

The Southwestern Association of Law Libraries (SWALL) and the Houston Area Law Librarians (HALL) are hosting a joint conference in mid-April in Fort Bend County, Texas. (Both SWALL and HALL are chapters of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), the only national organization for law library professionals.) This SWALL/HALL annual meeting provides an opportunity for attendees from Texas and other SWALL constituent states to gather for professional enrichment and connection-building.

It also offers an opportunity for librarians from law firms, academic law libraries, and government law libraries to share their knowledge of legal research with the non-law library community by offering a free preconference workshop. The SWALL Committee on Legal Information Services to the Public (LISP) invites all interested parties to attend this free virtual program, “Legal Research for the Non-Law Librarian,” Monday, April 11, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Members of the local library community, as well as other information professionals who need a basic understanding of legal research and reference, are welcome. Register for free here, by choosing the last option on the page. (NOTE: Attendance at the rest of the SWALL/HALL Annual Meeting is not free and requires separate registration.)

“Legal Research for the Non-Law Librarian” will be an online, live-streamed webinar and will cover the following topics:

  • Conducting Legal Reference Interviews (including avoiding unauthorized practice of law);

  • An overview of the Texas court system and statutes; and,

  • Researching Legal Materials on the Internet.

Speakers include: 

  • Deborah Hamilton, Strategic Services Librarian-Law Collection, Pikes Peak Library District 

  • Christopher Galeczka, Reference Librarian, Baylor Law School Library 

  • Monica Ortale, Associate Director for Public Services, Fred Parks Law Library, South Texas College of Law Houston 

  • Christopher Dykes, Head of Public Services, University of Houston Law Center, O’Quinn Law Library