Find What You're Looking For
Law
Use our online law resources, free with your library card. Our collection offers both print and ebook titles, including many from Berkeley's own Nolo Press.
Take advantage of "Lawyers in the Library", happening at Claremont, North and South branch Libraries.
Law Libraries
Law libraries are open to anyone with legal questions.
Each county in California is required to have a law library available for use by the general public.
- Bernard E. Witkin - Alameda County Public Law Library
This county legal library is open to all. All resources are available for in-library use. Alameda County residents, 18 and over, may borrow circulating materials with deposit. - Boalt Hall Law Library
This academic law library is open to the public for in-house legal research except during peak pre-exam times. - California Law Libraries
Find public law libraries around California using the links on this website by the Council of California County law Librarians.
Free and Low-cost Legal Assistance
Legal aid societies provide free legal advice, representation, and other legal services in noncriminal cases to the economically disadvantaged. The societies are located in most major metropolitan areas throughout the state.
- Free & Low-Cost Legal Help from the Courts
Find free and low-cost legal help from lawyers at the courthouses, local agencies, and libraries. - LawHelpCalifornia.org
Find California legal aid organizations using the links from Pro Bono Net. - Legal Aid Around the Nation
The Legal Services Corporation maintains a list of legal aid providers around the United States. Use their map to find a legal aid service in another state.
Legal Self Help Online

- California Courts Self-Help Center
The California Courts Online Self-Help Center is can help you find assistance and information, work better with an attorney, and represent yourself in some legal matters. topics include small claims, divorce, domestic violence, conservatorship, traffic, landlord/tenant law, and others. - Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California
Este sitio Web le ayudará a encontrar ayuda e información, trabajar mejor con un abogado y en algunos asuntos legales le ayudará a representarse a sí mismo. - Alameda County Superior Court: Representing Yourself
This self-help center from the Alameda County Superior Court is useful for people with legal issues all over California, but will be particularly helpful if you are here in Alameda County. - LawHelpCalifornia.org
LawHelpCalifornia is a guide to free and low-cost legal aid, assistance, and services throughout California. - WomensLaw.org
This website is run by a nonprofit group of lawyers, teachers, advocates and web designers and focuses on self-help for women who are victims of domestic violence.
Business Legal Assistance
- The Berkeley Office of Economic Development
The Berkeley Office of Economic Development offers Berkeley businesses personal assistance with choosing a location, licenses and regulations, demographic research, financing and special opportunities, and community associations. - Starting a Business in Berkeley
An online guide to the legal and regulatory process of starting a business in Berkeley, from Berkeley's Office of Economic Development. - The California Secretary of State
The California Secretary of State licenses and regulates California businesses, and offers information on other state agencies affecting businesses. - Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration provides information on federal business assistance and regulations. - CalGOLD
CalGOLD has an interactive guide to all California state, county, and local licensing requirements for businesses.
Access free legal information including:
Accident Claims
Bankruptcy
Buying a House
Divorce
Getting a Green Card
Human Resources
Living Trusts
Patents
Personal Injury
Rental Agreements
Selling a House
Wills
Includes access to many full-text Nolo books!
Also, download and print free Federal and State legal forms.