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Practical Research and Writing Resources Guide

A curated list of practical resources for FYSIP, Accelerator-to-Practice, and Legal Process and Practice.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (Official Site)

Appellate Practice in Massachusetts by Neal Quenzer (Editor) This MCLE title is available in print, via MCLE Online Pass, and Lexis or Westlaw. Covers mechanics of appeal in the state courts, individual chapters about specific courts, analyzing the decision to appeal etc.
Call Number: KFM2955 .A66
Appellate Practice and Procedure (Mass. Practice Series) by Joseph F. Stanton This title is available in print as part of the Massachusetts Practice Series or via Westlaw Edge. - Secondary source about Mass. appellate procedure.
Call Number: KFM2480 .M3 2020 v. 41

Massachusetts Appeals Court

Massachusetts Appeals Court (Official Site)

Appellate Practice in Massachusetts by Neal Quenzer (Editor) This MCLE title is available in print, via MCLE Online Pass, and Lexis or Westlaw. Covers mechanics of appeal in the state courts, individual chapters about specific courts, analyzing the decision to appeal etc.
Call Number: KFM2955 .A66
Appellate Practice and Procedure (Mass. Practice Series) by Joseph F. Stanton This title is available in print as part of the Massachusetts Practice Series or via Westlaw Edge. - Secondary source about Mass. appellate procedure.
Call Number: KFM2480 .M3 2020 v. 41

Massachusetts Superior Court

Massachusetts Superior Court (Official Site)

Massachusetts Superior Court Civil Practice Manual by Nelson G. Apjohn (Editor) This title is available in print, MCLE Online Pass as well as Lexis and Westlaw
Call Number: KFM2930 .M47 2017
Massachusetts Superior Court Criminal Practice Manual by Kathe M. Tuttman (Editor) This title is available in print, via MCLE Online Pass as well as Lexis and Westlaw
Call Number: KFM2979.Z9 M37 2014

District Court

District Court Department (Official Site)

Massachusetts District Civil Court Civil Practice Manual MCLE e-book, also available on Lexis and Westlaw - Overview of civil practice before District Courts
Criminal Model Jury Instructions for Use in the District Court Pattern Jury Instructions (MCLE)
Massachusetts District Court Criminal Defense Manual MCLE

Juvenile Court

Massachusetts Juvenile Court (Official Site)

Massachusetts Juvenile Court Bench Book by Jacqueline Schelfhaudt (Editor) This two volume set is available in print, via MCLE Online Pass as well as Lexis and Westlaw
Call Number: KFM2996 .M3722
Massachusetts Juvenile Delinquency and Child Welfare Law Sourcebook & Citator Law and authority for representing children, parents, and guardians - available in print, MCLE Online Pass, L & W
Call Number: KFM2995.Z9 M37a
Juvenile Law (Massachusetts Practice Series) by Roderick L. Ireland & Paula Kilcoyne This is available in print as part of the Mass. Practice Series (volume 14C- Summary of Basic Law) or via Westlaw Edge
Call Number: KFM2480.M3 2014 v. 14C

Probate & Family Court

Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Official Site)

Massachusetts Family Law Sourcebook & Citator This annual volume is available in print, via MCLE Onlne Pass, Lexis and Westlaw. Includes practice guides & quick evidence guide for family law attorneys
Call Number: KFM2494.A29 M375
Massachusetts Probate Manual by Thomas P. Jalkut (Editor) Checklists of actions in the probate of an estate. Available in print, via MCLE Online Pass, Lexis and Westlaw
Call Number: KFM2544 .M37
Probate Law and Practice: with forms 3d (Massachusetts Practice Series) by Patricia M. Annino This is a print volume in the Mass. Practice Series. Also available online via Westlaw Edge.
Call Number: KFM2480 .M3 2019 vol. 21

Housing Court

Massachusetts Housing Court (Official Site)
Housing Court Decisions (1987-present) Social Law Library database - Housing Court opinions are searchable from 1987-present.

Residential and Commercial Landlord-Tenant Practice in Massachusetts by Catherine F. Downing (Editor) This is available as a print book, MCLE Online Pass, Lexis and Westlaw
Publication Date: 2022
Landlord and Tenant Law with Forms (Massachusetts Practice Series) by E. George Daher; Harvey Chopp; Harold Stavisky 3 volumes of the Massachusetts Practice Series. Index is in vol. 34. Also available on Westlaw Edge.
Call Number: KFM2480.M3 (vols. 33, 33A, 34)

Boston Municipal Court

Boston Municipal Court (Official Site)

Massachusetts Municipal Law by James B. Lampke (Editor) Municipal Home Rule in Mass., Forms of Municipal Government, The Municipal Attorney etc.Print, MCLE Online Pass, Lexis and Westlaw
Call Number: KFM2831.5.Z9 M37 (2 volumes)
Municipal Law and Practice--(Massachusetts Practice Series) by Henry W. Hardy Mass Practice Series (volumes 18-18c) - Available in Print and via Westlaw Edge
Call Number: KFM2480 .M3 1971 (vols. 18-18c)

Rhode Island Superior Court

A Practical Guide to Superior Court Practice in Rhode Island
Publication Date: 12/20/2023
A comprehensive, twenty-seven chapter manual, A Practical Guide to Superior Court Practice in Rhode Island starts with an introduction to the organization of the Rhode Island Superior Court and then goes on to first address civil topics and then to address criminal topics. Civil topics include preparing pleadings, motion practice, declaratory judgment actions, ADR, voir dire, postjudgment motions, and zoning appeals–plus more. Criminal topic highlights include the felony charging process, bail, dealing with the media in high-profile criminal cases, sentencing, probation violation hearings, parole board practice, and postconviction relief.