FindLaw.com: A One-Stop Legal Shop

Award-winning site has resources for legal pros and laypeople.

Roberta Furger, special to PC World

Don't take my word for it. The site recently won a bevy of awards from Legal Online, a publication of American Lawyer Media, including the title of Overall Best Legal Research Site.

Your first stop when you visit FindLaw should be the Consumer Law Center, an information-rich section that includes the full text of The Consumer's Resource Handbook. This two-part tome is published annually and is divided into two sections. "Buying Smart" includes advice and information on everything from choosing a credit card to complaining effectively. "The Consumer Directory" features contact information for consumer groups, state and federal agencies, trade associations, and--my personal favorite--an A-to-Z listing of where to write, call, fax, or e-mail complaints to more than 650 companies.

But wait, there's more: The site also provides a wealth of legal information, designed to advise and assist consumers in their search for justice. You'll find tips on hiring a lawyer (including what fees to expect for specific types of service), links to legal aid resources in all 50 states, and tips on how to represent yourself in court. There's even state-by-state information on how to file complaints against attorneys, just in case you didn't follow the hiring advice presented elsewhere on the site.

The Legal Topics section includes articles and links to information about everything from employment discrimination to landlord-tenant disputes. It's a great place to start when you're trying to educate yourself on a legal issue.

Another useful section is The Small Business Center, featuring information and Web sites of interest to the home office and small business crowd. There's also The Cyberspace Law Center; and a news link with updates on Supreme Court decisions, tobacco litigation, the Microsoft antitrust suit, and more.

The site also provides all the resources a connected lawyer could need. You'll find expert witness and consultant listings, professional development information, and legal practice resources (software, electronic forms, and the like for law firms). For the rest, there's a searchable database of state and federal laws, including the full text of Supreme Court decisions since 1893.

One final bonus: Navigation is a breeze, despite the site's many sections. Departments are clearly and logically designed and you're never more than one click away from the opening screen.