Skip to Main Content

Legal Writing

Resources to help you draft legal documents that are clear, effective, and with proper citations.

View all pages in this guide

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

Citation Rules

E-Books

Texas residents can access e-books with a free library account.

The Maroonbook : the University of Chicago manual of legal citation
This manual provides an easy to follow framework for creating legal citations.

Books

Available when you visit the library in person.

The greenbook : Texas rules of form [print book]
The Greenbook provides instruction on how to cite to Texas statutes, session laws, cases, administrative regulations, and other legal resources.
ALWD citation manual : a professional system of citation [print book]
This manual from the Association of Legal Writing Directors is written for lawyers, judges, law teachers, and law students and designed to be "easy to use, easy to teach from, and easy to learn from."
The bluebook : a uniform system of citation [print book]
Considered the "definitive style guide for legal citation in the United States."

Assistance in Following the Citation Rules

E-Books

Texas residents can access e-books with a free library account.

Legal citation in a nutshell
This work in the "nutshell" series helps you cite in Bluebook or ALWD form. Numerous appendices help with citation forms in various types of legal writing.

Books

Available when you visit the library in person.

Understanding and mastering The Bluebook : a guide for students and practitioners [print book]
If you find The Bluebook a bit overwhelming, this guide will help you understand and navigate it with ease.

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.