Collections

The Law Library's collections support and enhance faculty and student research, scholarship, and the educational experience. Questions or requests for items to support individual research, scholarship or education should be directed to lawref@wlu.edu.

  • Lewis F. Powell Jr. Archives

The Powell Archives comprise three units of special collections: Manuscript Collections (personal papers), the Rare Book Collection and the Archives of the School of Law. The papers of the late Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Lewis F. Powell Jr., 1929, 1931L, is the centerpiece of almost two dozen manuscript collections. Included here are the papers of Nixon Impeachment Judiciary Committee member, Representative M. Caldwell Butler; three Virginia Federal District Judges; a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia; a prominent voting rights activist; and former W&L Law faculty members. The Rare Book Collections includes extensive general holdings of rare legal publications, as well as the library of prominent Virginia collector, Judge Charles E. Burks, the bound cases and points of noted Supreme Court Advocate John W. Davis, 1897L, and the Supreme Court Chambers Library of Lewis F. Powell Jr.  The Archives of the School of Law includes retired administrative records; law school publications; student organization records; photos and artifacts; and physical copies of publications by our faculty. The Archives is located at the far end of level 1. For more information, contact the Archivist and Special Collections Law Librarian at powell@wlu.edu.

  • Bar Success Collection

Consists of a variety of materials written to assist students in studying and planning for the bar exam. It includes study guides, sample questions, flashcards, outlines, practice exams, and instructional texts from various bar preparation programs. These materials are located on level 3A in the Main Reading Room.

  • Career Strategy Collection

Contains a wide array of resources to support law students in career exploration, professional development, and job search preparation. This collection includes materials focused on effective resume and cover letter writing, interviewing strategies, time management, personal organization, professionalism, and legal careers. These materials are located on level 3A in the Main Reading Room.

  • Law School Success Collection

Includes a range of titles to help students excel throughout their legal education, both academically and personally. This collection includes study aids, exam strategies, resources on legal writing, outlining, and time management. It also provides a selection of materials focused on mental health, mindfulness, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. These materials are located on level 3A in the Main Reading Room.

  • New Titles & New Faculty Publications

Features the latest additions to the library, including newly acquired books. It also highlights recent publications authored by Washington and Lee Law faculty, showcasing their research and scholarship. These materials are located on level 3.

  • Recreation

Offers a selection of materials designed to provide relaxation and entertainment, including novels, popular nonfiction, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, and tabletop, card, and outdoor games. These materials are located on level 3 in the Reserve Room.

  • Reserve Room

The Reserve Room includes materials related to legal topics and subjects that complement instructional, clinical, and scholarly programs. The collection consists of a selection of study aids, including hornbooks, treatises, nutshells, and commercial outlines, and reference materials such as dictionaries, thesauri, directories, finding aids, and atlases. These materials are located on level 3 in the Reserve Room.

  • U.S. Government Documents

The Law Library has been a U.S. Government Publications Depository since 1978. The Federal Documents collection consists of administrative decisions, agency reports, congressional publications, U.S. Supreme Court records and briefs, state statutes, congressional and regulatory sources, and U.N. documents. These materials are located in print on level 1A and in microform in the History Room on level 2.

Library Purchase Requests

Law faculty and students may submit library purchase requests or recommendations to lawacqs@wlu.edu.

Donations to the Law Library

The Washington and Lee University School of Law Library considers offers of gifts and materials. We welcome books and other information resources which strengthen the collection and support the Law School's instructional, clinical, and scholarly programs. More information can be found in the Law Library's donation policy.

Collection Development Policy

The W&L Law Library Collection Development Policy was revised most recently in 2024. The goal of the Collection Development Policy is to document the current collection philosophies, policies, and practices for the Law Library.