Legal Information

Legal Reference at Laconia Public Library

The following Legal Reference resources are available at Laconia Public Library:

  • Westlaw Edge: (in Library use only) Westlaw Edge is a premier legal research database from Thomson-Reuters made available for public use by the New Hampshire State Law Library. Westlaw Edge is available for in-house use at a dedicated computer terminal in Laconia Public Library. To use Westlaw Edge, please stop at the main desk and ask a staff member for assistance. Click here for a Quick Reference Guide for using Westlaw Edge.
  • NOLO Legal Guides on a variety of topics: Please see the booklists in our catalog for a compilation of legal reference materials, including an extensive collection of NOLO Legal Guidebooks that are available for check-out.
    • To find the book lists, click here
    • Navigate down to box titled “What’s Hot”
    • Select third tab titled “Booklists”
    • Select “Legal Reference Resources” from the alphabetized list of booklists

Other Legal Resources

Resources for securing Legal Representation

  • New Hampshire Legal Assistance: NHLA provides free legal advice and representation to people with low income and older adults (age 60 and over). NHLA works on civil cases impacting safety and basic needs, such as domestic violence, housing, and benefits including Medicaid, Food Stamps, and disability. People who need legal help should apply through 603 Legal Aid (see above). 603 Legal Aid refers appropriate cases to NHLA.
  • 603 Legal Aid is the new home of the former NHBA Pro Bono Program. This Concord, NH-based organization serves as the statewide centralized intake for low-income litigants seeking free legal assistance for civil legal issues. Its team depends on partnerships with volunteer attorneys, legal service organizations, and other community partners to provide the highest level of service possible to New Hampshire residents. For more information or to volunteer, call (603) 224-3333.
  • New Hampshire Lawyer Referral Service: This service, run by the New Hampshire Bar Association, provides guidance on selecting and hiring a qualified, conveniently located attorney for your legal issues.
  • New Hampshire Bar Association’s Lawline: This service, run by the New Hampshire Bar Association, provides free legal advice by phone on the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
  • New Hampshire Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service – Modest Means Program (LRS-MM): LRS-MM provides lower-to-moderate income individuals and families with access to affordable legal services. Clients with an income between 150%-325% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may qualify for referral to a panel member who agrees to consider representation for a reduced rate. For more information please call: 603-715-3290.
  • New Hampshire Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service – Full Fee Program (LRS-FF): LRS-FF provides attorney referrals for those who can afford to pay for legal services at standard attorney rates. Please call 603-229-0002 for more information.
  • New Hampshire Legal Assistance: Provides free civil legal aid to people in New Hampshire primarily in the areas of housing (eviction, foreclosure, and property tax deeding); domestic violence and family law (protective orders, divorce orders, divorce and parenting rights and responsibilities); and public benefits (disability, unemployment, and more).
  • Free Legal Answers – NH: New Hampshire Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic in which users that meet qualifying income eligibility standards may post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.  
  • Disabilities Rights Center - NH: Provides information, referral, advice, and legal representation to individuals with disabilities, on disability-related issues including special education, access and accommodation, employment and housing discrimination, voting, and Medicaid. Contact DRC-NH at mail@drcnh.org or (603) 228-0432 to schedule a free consultation on a disability discrimination issue with an experienced attorney.

Library staff will provide patrons with assistance in identifying and using legal resources within the library’s collection. Staff do not conduct legal research, interpret legal materials, or provide legal advice. If legal advice is required, a patron should seek the assistance of a licensed attorney. 

Bar-admitted legal research professionals (Reference Attorneys) are available for research support when using Westlaw. To receive support and ask questions please call or initiate a live chat, Monday-Friday, 7:00am-8:00pm (CST). Call: 1-800-REF-ATTY (1-800-733-2889) Live Chat can be accessed via Westlaw in the footer of the database, Monday-Friday, 7am-10pm CST