All Libraries will be closed on Tuesday, 10/9 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will reopen on Tuesday 10/10 at 10am.

Law Library

Law Library

The Law Library is open to all and is located in the Richmond Room of Main Library, 101 E. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Legal research materials can be accessed anytime Main Library is open. However, the staff of the Richmond Room are generally available Monday thru Friday during regular business hours and can help answer questions and assist with your legal research needs. Evening and Saturday hours are available. If you would like to make an appointment with the Law Librarian, or confirm a time when staff is available in the Richmond Room, please call 804-646-6500 or email Charles.Schmidt@rva.gov. The Law Library offers free access to both WestlawNext and Lexis Advance legal research databases, and Gale Legal Forms online.

Monday - Friday
10 - 5
Law Library materials and databases are available in the Richmond Room anytime Main Library is open. For the best service, please contact us ahead of your visit.

804-646-6500

Charles.Schmidt@rva.gov

101 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA. 23219

Collection

The Law Library collection includes a combination of both physical and digital materials. All materials in this collection are reference books that cannot be checked out. All current or formerly held print materials are available in digital form through our databases.

American Law Reports - ALR Series 1-7
American Law Reports - ALR Series 1-3
American Jurisprudence - Am Jur 2d
Corpus Juris Secundum - CJS
Federal Reporter® (National Reporter System) Fed 2d, Fed 3d, Fed 4th
Federal Supplement (National Reporter System®) - Fed Supp, Fed Supp 2d, Fed Supp 3d
Virginia Administrative Regulations
Form Books
Gale Legal Forms Online
Lexis Advance
Michie's Jurisprudence of Virginia and West Virginia
Restatements
Richmond City, State, and Federal Codes
Digest of Southeastern Court Decisions
Virginia Reports
Virginia Court of Appeals Reports
Virginia Circuit Court Opinions
United States Supreme Court Reports, Lawyers' Edition
Virginia Practice Materials
Westlaw Civil Rights Legal Materials
COVID-19 Legal Materials & News
Westlaw Patron Access

Westlaw Patron Access


Westlaw is a computerized database that provides free access to state and federal cases, statutes and regulations from all jurisdictions, as well as various secondary sources, forms, and briefs. These resources can be accessed at all Richmond Public Library locations using these links:

Upcoming Events at Law Library

Small Business Legal Workshop

Thu

28

Sep
 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

 Richmond Room - Main Library

The Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Richmond Public Law Library (RPL) are hosting an educational workshop focused on counseling and legal resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Richm...

Nonprofits 101

Thu

26

Oct
 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

 Richmond Room - Main Library

What’s the difference between a charity and a private foundation? 501c3 and a 501c4? How do you establish a nonprofit? This workshop will review introductory governance, legal status, and reporting compliance for nonprofits in Vir...

Estate Planning Legal Workshop

Thu

09

Nov
 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

 Richmond Room - Main Library

Will or a trust? What’s a Medical Directive? Learn the basics of wills, trusts, and estate planning from local attorneys. The RPL Law Librarian will also show patrons how to find examples of wills, power of attorney, and other leg...