FEDERAL LEGAL RESEARCH
A Central Library Research Guide
Primary Sources
Statutes - The US Congress creates statues when it passes laws. Federal law statutes address legal protections in the workplace, consumer protection, antitrust and securities regulation, bankruptcy, environmental law, copyright, and immigration.
United States Codes Annotated
US Statutes (or laws) are classified by subject into a set of books code under some 50 Title headings. Use the General Index to find the statute law needed. Each Title also has its own index.
R 348.732 Un
US Code Congressional and Administrative News
Includes the full text of Acts of Congress and their legislative histories in chronological order. Look up the name of the act in the USCA Popular Index Name Index to find the correct volume.
R 348.732 Un
Regulations - Federal Agencies write regulations which individuals and organizations affected by the law must follow. Administrative agencies enforce the laws that govern workplace safety and consumer protection; for regulating companies marketing drugs or issuing securities; and for collecting taxes.
Code of Federal Regulations
Federal regulations are codified and arranged by subject. There is a one volume index.
R 342.73 Co
Federal Register
Federal regulations are published daily under agency headings. The Federal Register updates the CFR.
Case Law - The third important source for legal information is from the court system which interprets the statutes and determines the scope of federal power. Courts create law when a judge issues an opinion. Most written opinions come from the appellate (appeals) court. Austin Public Library has no case reports form the federal court system, except for Supreme Court cases, which number only about one hundred per year. Visit the Texas State Law Library, UT Law Library, or the Travis County Law Library for federal court information. Supreme Court cases and recent federal court cases can be found online at Lexisone.
| Decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court |
R 348.734 Un |
| Supreme Court Yearbook |
R 347.7326 Su |
Secondary Sources |
| Bankruptcy |
| How to File for Bankruptcy |
R 346.73078 Ho |
| Chapter 13 Bankruptcy |
R 346.73078 Le |
| Chapter 7 Bankruptcy |
R 346.73078 El |
| Courts |
| Federal Forms: Civil Trials |
R 347.07 Oc |
| Federal Rules: Civil Trials |
R 347.07 Oc |
| Federal State Court Directory |
R 347.73025 Wa |
| Employment |
| Employment Law Guide |
| FMLA |
| OSHA |
| ADA Compliance Manual for Employers |
R 346.013 Mo |
| BNA Employment Guide |
R 342.973 Em |
| The FMLA Guide |
R 344.7301257 F |
| Investigating Employee Conduct |
R 344.7301 Ha |
| OSHA Made Easy |
R 344.730465 Mo |
| Immigration |
| Immigration Practice |
R 342.7308205 Im |
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