Massachusetts State Government Employees

Social Law Library Benefits

Lawyers and staff working for the Massachusetts state government can benefit from membership at the Social Law Library through access to a wide range of legal research tools and services tailored to the needs of public sector attorneys.

Lawyers and staff working for the Massachusetts state government can benefit from membership at the Social Law Library through access to a wide range of legal research tools and services tailored to the needs of public sector attorneys. The Library offers a comprehensive collection of Massachusetts-specific resources, including administrative decisions, regulatory materials, legislative histories, and both current and historical case law. If you need comparative law in another jurisdiction, the library also has access to a wide range of 50 State Surveys and subject area treatise for other states.

Members also receive access to key legal research platforms such as Fastcase (remotely) and Westlaw (onsite), along with 40+ exclusive trial court and state agency databases developed by the Library. In addition, the expert Reference Attorneys are familiar with the unique challenges government lawyers face and can assist with everything from locating obscure documents to structuring complex searches across multiple databases.

These services are designed to support the work of administrative attorneys in policy development, regulatory interpretation, litigation, and legal compliance, helping them locate authoritative sources efficiently and accurately.

Research Databases

The Library offers access to powerful case research databases, including remote access to remote access to specialized databases like HeinOnline and onsite access to Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, and VitalLaw. This is in addition to the Library’s 40+ self-produced databases containing primarily state statutes, regulations, court decisions, and agency rulings.

The Library also subscribe to niche commercial databases for remote access, and if you can’t find what you need, the Reference team has additional database access to help track down answers.

The Library

The Social Law Library offers a quiet, professional environment with spacious work areas and private carrels designed for focused legal work. Whether you're drafting documents, conducting in-depth research, or need a space to sit before going to Court, the Library provides a comfortable and well-equipped space that supports productivity and concentration—all in the heart of Boston’s legal community.

Circulation & Interlibrary Loan

Need a case, article, or treatise? If it’s in the Library’s collection, we’ll get it to you fast.

If what you are looking for is not in the Library’s collection, Library staff will work to get a copy or a loan from libraries worldwide.

For quick copies, the Copy Center handles document delivery, typically fulfilling most orders within an hour.

The Library's Collection

For over 200 years, the Library has been curating a collection of treatises, case law, digests, periodicals, and more. Today, the Library holds a rich and diverse collection of legal texts and they are all located onsite in Boston.

If you're uncertain about what you need or where to start, the Reference team is always a great resource. And if it’s after hours, check the catalog for digital access via databases or eBooks.

Massachusetts Legal Alerts

The Library offers several different alert services. Whether you need to know about the Emergency Regulations about to go into effect, updates from the Business Litigation Session, or notification of when the House & Senate Journals are uploaded online, the Library has an alert service for you.

Continuing Education and Professional Development

The Library facilitates professional growth by offering educational programs, workshops, and seminars. These events allow government attorneys to keep up with changes in the law, refine their legal skills, and network with other professionals. Continuing legal education (CLE) programs, available through the library, help ensure that you stay up-to-date with the evolving legal landscape.

Research Assistance

Are you looking for a form? Unsure of where the best place to start your research? The Reference Attorneys are here to help.

Are you looking to learn more about complex searching on commercial databases? Or using the Library’s databases to do the research you need? The Reference Attorneys are here to help

Are you looking for historic regulations? Or the current Emergency Regulations? The Reference Attorneys are here to help.

Whatever the research challenge, the Reference Attorneys are here to help you get it done, faster and smarter.

Stay Updated
Services
Judicial Assignments
Updated Monthly

Sitting schedule for judges in Massachusetts courts.

View Now
Services
Slip Opinions
Updated Daily

Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court Opinions.

View Now
Services
Legislative Alerts

Subscribe to the Senate and House Journal email list and receive notification when the Journals are updated.

Sign Up
Awards & Recognition

Social Law is winner of three first place awards in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Reading Rankings survey.

View All Awards
Best Legal Research
Best CLE
Best Web Design
Best Legal Research
Best CLE
Best Web Design