George Mason University School of Law

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Law Library Research Guide:
Legal Forms and Drafting Resources

Formbooks are available in print and online.

Formbooks are aids for drafting legal documents. They provide:

Two types of formbooks: 

The most important skill in using formbooks is knowing how to modify the sample form(s) to fit your particular situation.

General Formbooks:

These include sample forms for a wide range of topics. All are located on the Law Library First Floor, Range 107.

Pleading and Practice Formbooks:

Many are located on the Law Library First Floor, Range 107.

Subject-Specific Formbooks:

Some examples follow.  For other publications search the GMU Library Catalog or consult a Reference Librarian. 

Subject-Specific Formbooks - Business Entities

Subject-Specific Formbooks – Contracts

The Contracts section is on the Law Library Third Floor, Range 319.

Subject-Specific Formbooks – Employment Agreements

Labor and Employment law books are shelved on the Law Library Third Floor, Ranges 325-326. Employment agreements are also covered in the Contracts collection, Range 319, Law Library Third Floor.

Subject Specific Formbooks - Intellectual Property

Intellectual property law books are shelved on the Law Library Third Floor, Ranges 324-325.

For more information on Intellectual Property reserouces, see the Library's Intellectual Property Research Guide.

Subject-Specific Formbooks – Legislation

Law Library First Floor, Range 112. See also materials on Third Floor, Range 327.

Subject-Specific Formbooks – Real Estate

Law Library Third Floor, Range 318. 

Subject-Specific Formbooks – Wills

The Estate Planning collection is located on the Law Library Third Floor, Ranges 318-319.

Popular Works:

Many titles intended for the non-lawyers have forms that are useful to law students and lawyers, too. Many are published by Nolo.com, formerly Nolo Press. They are located in the Reference Section on the First Floor, Range 112-113. Older editions are on the third floor and can be checked out. They often have CDs available at the Circulation Desk. Some are available electronically through the catalog.

Drafting Guides:

Legal drafting titles are located in the KF250 call number range on RESERVE at Circulation Desk and in the REFERENCE collection. Older editions are on the third floor and can be checked out.

Virginia Formbooks and CLE (Continuing Legal Education):

These are located at the Circulation Desk, in Law Library First Floor, Range 121, or on the Second Floor, Range 228.

LexisNexis

Use the Find a Source tab to locate applicable database by keyword or title. Suggested forms databases include:

Westlaw

Use the database FORMFINDER or the Formfinder link at the top of the page to effectively search for forms using a helpful search template. Alternatively, the dataabse FORMS-ALL contains all of West's legal forms. Some specific forms databases include:

Internet Sources