WSLL @ Your Service October 2025
Contents
Restatements of the Law - Carol Hassler
The American Law Institute's (ALI) Restatements of the Law are well-known works which aim to clarify, modernize, and improve understanding of the law, with a traditional focus on common law. Law librarian Amy Crowder unpacked this project, and the publications available to library researchers, in a 2022 article on restatements.
This summer the Kluwer Copyright Blog included two articles on copyright law and restatements, in recognition of the ALI's 2025 approval of the Restatement of the Law, Copyright. The articles pose the question: “why have a Restatement when we have a statute? Isn't the 1976 Copyright Act the “law” of copyright?” (See: Restating copyright and Why the copyright statute is not enough.) The new Restatement examines the statutory and common law, and seeks to consolidate and clarify questions on copyright.
The Restatement of the Law, Copyright, began with the publication of tentative draft number 1 in April 2020. Revision work continued for several drafts, with the most recent draft approved this May. While there is still work to be done before a final version is ready for publication, the work of the committee can be readily followed using free library sources.
In HeinOnline with a law library card, and in print on our shelves, you can read through the drafts, or take a look at the latest 2025 drafts and case citations to inform your practice. The new publication reflects on copyright in the following chapters:
- Subject Matter and Standards
- Scope of Protection
- Initial Ownership, Transfers, Voluntary Licenses, and Termination of Grants
- Copyright Formalities
- Duration of Copyright
- Copyright Rights and Limitations
- Copyright Infringement
- Secondary Liability
- Remedies for Copyright Infringement
- Copyright-Protection-and-Management Systems
- Procedural Issues and Relationship to Other Bodies of Law
Even if copyright isn't your area, Restatements cover a number of topics including contracts, property, torts, trusts, conflict of laws, judgments, and more. Restatements are not a primary source of law or binding authority, but courts generally consider Restatements persuasive authority due to the prestige of the American Law Institute and the exhaustive drafting process. Restatements of the Law are highly cited within case law.
The State Law Library provides access to Restatements of the Law through the following sources.
HeinOnline
HeinOnline provides access to complete current and prior series of Restatements. Select the American Law Institute Library from the list of databases within HeinOnline and then choose Restatements & Principles of Law. To search specific sections, use the Restatement Section Locator tool. Read How to Search for Restatements in the American Law Institute Library to learn search strategies.
Print collection
If you prefer to use the Restatements in print, the State Law Library provides a complete and current collection. The print Restatements are updated by annual pocket parts which contain summaries of court opinions that have cited the provisions of that volume. Pocket parts that have grown too large to be housed within the volume are separately published as softbound cumulative annual supplements. Interim case citations are issued twice a year and update the pocket parts and supplements.
Ask a reference librarian
If you need a specific Restatement section or help with your research, contact one of our reference librarians for help.
Researching Family Law - Noelle Brasch
This month's display features resources related to family law in Wisconsin, and throughout the United States. Topics include marital agreements, adoption, divorce, as well as child custody and support. For lawyers and laypersons alike, use these books to get a handle on the varied areas of family law.
In this display
Nolo's essential guide to divorce
KF 535 .Z9 D67 2024
Divorce in Wisconsin : the legal process, your rights, and what to expect
KFW 2500 .V36 2015
Wisconsin family law with forms
KFW 2494 .A15 W57 2025
Cost-effective child custody litigation
KF 547 .T46 2022
Building a parenting agreement that works : child custody agreements step by step
KF 547 .L97 2025
The divorce trial manual : from initial interview to closing argument
KF 535 .G65 2021
Divorce & money : make the best financial decisions during divorce
KF 524 .W66 2023
Adoption law in a nutshell
KF 545 .K38 2012
Premarital agreements : drafting and negotiation
KF 529 .R38 2023
Nolo's essential guide to child custody & support
KF 547 .D67 2024
A legal guide for lesbian and gay couples
KF 539 .C58 2012
Pet law and custody : establishing a worthy and equitable jurisprudence for the evolving family
KF 390.5 .A5 G57 2017
Family law in Wisconsin : a forms and procedures handbook
KFW 2500 .L6 S955
Termination of parental rights and adoption : a practical handbook for judges, lawyers, and human services providers
KFW 2504.5 .G544
New Books - Noelle Brasch
New Edition! Drone Law by Zaida Angulo McGhee and Tyler Hazen
Call number: KF 2406 .A15 D76 2025-1
Drone Law's 2025 edition tracks the laws and regulations governing the changing industry around unmanned aircraft. This resource focuses on tort law, constitutional principles, as well as state and local regulations. Drone Law will help in navigating the emerging legal issues related to the commercial, recreational, and educational use of drones.
Topics include:
- Airspace issues
- Privacy, trespass, and nuisance concerns
- Constitutional issues
- Criminal liability
New Edition! Fiancé & Marriage Visas: A couple's guide to U.S. Immigration by Ilona Bray
Call number: KF 4819.6 .B73 2025
This new edition is a helpful guide to navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration and marriage laws. With a checklist and sample forms, Fiancé & Marriage Visas walks the reader through processes like the two-year testing period, vaccine requirements, and newer regulations. If your fiancé or spouse is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, then consider this book for a quick yet thoughtful application strategy that avoids common mistakes.
Topics include:
- Visa and green card eligibility
- Paperwork and documentation
- Meeting income requirements
- Interviews (with sample questions)
- Dealing with delays and denials
- Legal help beyond this book
See our latest New Titles list for a list of new books and other resources.
For assistance in accessing these or other resources, please contact our Reference Desk.
Tech Tip - Heidi Yelk
Online translation tools - fast, easy, convenient - but there's a catch
The simplest way to quickly translate text into a different language is by using an online tool, such as Google Translate or DeepL. Both are very popular and work well for everyday use. However, online translation has developed with the use of machine learning (AI) which means users should be aware of the limitations.
First and foremost, language is cultural and nuanced. Human translators are better at understanding the context or cultural differences that can affect the meaning of a word or phrase.
Many words in one language have the same spelling but different meanings in context. Finding the correct equivalent in the targeted language could pose difficulties for a machine.
Online translators excel at commonly spoken languages but are less accurate with uncommon languages. When using machine translation, be aware if working with less common languages.
As a tool developed with AI, online translators may also be prone to bias. One example: changing a pronoun from the feminine to masculine when translating information about a male-dominated field.
Language translation tools can help to bridge language barriers, but don't expect perfection.
References and further reading - contact the library for these articles and more
- The Use of Language in International Business Law, Barbara Macon, Business Law International (Jan. 2025)
- "The perils of dabbling": AI and the Practice of Law, Tony Petruzzi and Helena Guye, Practitioner Insights Commentaries (2023)
- Machine Translator Testimony & the Confrontation Clause: Has the Time Come for the Hearsay Rules to Escape from the Stone Age? Nicole E. Crossey 12 Drexel L. Rev. 561 (2020)
- From the Myth of Babel to Google Translate: Confronting Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence - Copyright and Algorithmic Biases in Online Translation Systems, Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid, Cynthia Martens, 43 Seattle U. L. Rev. 99 (2019)
- Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Google Translate and Other AI Tools are Transforming Trademark Law, Alexandra Johnson, 35 ACC Docket 74 (2017)
Library News - Carol Hassler
Welcome new staff!
Our libraries welcome two new staff in this month's newsletter. At the Lavinia Goodell State Law Library, Sarah Furger joins the library as the new Cataloging and Metadata Librarian. With several years of cataloging experience at public libraries and a Wisconsin native, Sarah is happy to be back in Wisconsin. Jennifer Flynn joins the Milwaukee County Law Library staff as library associate. Jennifer brings her experience as a retired criminal law attorney. Welcome Sarah and Jennifer!
Resources to help with public records requests
Law librarian Carol Hassler shares quick tips and sources to help researchers find more information about the laws behind, and how to file a public records request. Legal research 101: public records requests, is part of an ongoing series of legal research articles coordinated by the Law Librarians Association of Wisconsin.
Become a legislative research expert
Sign up for our fall webinars! Classes are free, and qualify for CLE credit. Please reach out to Michael Keane with questions about the class and Heidi Yelk with questions about registering.
Introduction to Legislative History in Wisconsin
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, noon-1:00 p.m.
Live Webinar - Register for Introduction to Legislative History in Wisconsin
I need the legislative history of a Wisconsin statute. Where do I start? What do I do? Participants will look at the primary resources used to research Wisconsin legislative history, learn about the online Wisconsin legislative drafting files, and learn some helpful tips and tricks along the way. This introductory class covers basic research strategies and sources.
Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, noon-1:00 p.m.
Live Webinar - Register for Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Discussion and instruction of the history and function of the administrative code, with tips and examples to show how to research the history of a rule.
October Snapshot
Holy Hill (October 2024)
Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year. October is very popular for visits and hikes, as the location provides amazing views of the countryside with fall colors. The tower view is so popular that the website provides a Scenic Tower Cam where anyone can watch the leaves turns. Hikers can traverse several segments of the Ice Age Trail: the Slinger segment, Cedar Lakes segment, Pike Lake segment and Holy Hill segment. As you head out to view specular fall colors, check out Travel Wisconsin's Fall Color Report to know when and where to find peak color.
We are accepting snapshots! Do you have a photo highlighting libraries, attractions or points of historical interest? Send your photo the editor at carol.hassler@wicourts.gov to be included in a future issue.
