This month, the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library is highlighting immigration law resources available through the library. Whether you are researching immigration procedures, looking for authoritative legal commentary, or seeking self-help legal information, the library offers materials designed to help patrons better understand this area of law.
Read moreGregg v. Georgia at 50: The Case That Reshaped Capital Sentencing in the United States
In 2026, the United States marks the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Gregg v. Georgia, a landmark ruling that restored capital punishment under revised constitutional standards and shaped the modern framework for death-penalty sentencing.
Read moreLeading with Purpose: Mariann Sears, First Woman Director of Harris County Hainsworth Law Library
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).
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