Membership

Firm size Solo Other 2-25 26-60 61-100 100+
Cost $125 varies $125/attorney $2,500 $5,000 $7,000
Lexis (onsite) Y Y Y Y Y Y
Westlaw (onsite) Y Y Y Y Y Y
HeinOnline (remote) Y Y Y Y N N
FastCase (remote) Y Y Y Y N N
LegalTrac (remote) Y Y Y Y Y Y
Gale Legal Forms (remote) Y Y Y Y Y Y
LLMC Digital (remote) Y Y Y Y Y Y
eCode 360 (remote) Y Y Y Y Y Y
Making of Modern Law Y Y Y Y Y Y
Document Delivery Free Free Free Free Free Free
Free CLEs Y Y Y Y Y Y
Free use of consultation room Y Y Y Y Y Y
Borrow library materials Y Y Y Y Y Y
Consult materials in-library Y Y Y Y Y Y
Research assistance Y Y Y Y Y Y

Allegheny County Law Library Membership 2024-2025

Our paid membership program for 2024-2025 will continue to offer you uninterrupted access to a wide range of resources and benefits. The membership period will run from January 1st, 2024-January 31st, 2025. Membership renewals will be updated automatically in our system. Renewing members needing a replacement library card or changes to their contact information should contact us directly. New members will receive their library card via postal mail to the address provided for their membership.

Borrowing Materials

Library members may borrow books and other materials from the Allegheny County Law Library. Members may borrow and pick up books requested from public libraries throughout Allegheny County with a public library card. 

Databases

All ACLL users have access to Westlaw and Lexis in person at the library. In addition, Members have in-person or remote access to:

  • Fastcase* with selected Wolters Kluwer treatises

  • HeinOnline*

  • LegalTrac

  • LLMC Digital

  • eCode360

  • Making of Modern Law

*Remote access available to law firm memberships with 60 or fewer attorneys

Continuing Legal Education Credits

The ACLL provides Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses throughout the year for both substantive and ethics credits. Library members receive free access to CLEs. Please see the events calendar for upcoming CLEs or the prerecored CLEs page for information on remote CLEs with flexible enrollment options.

Membership Fees

Individual patrons may pay the annual membership fee to access the many benefits of ACLL membership.

Free memberships will be automatically renewed.

For law firms, the fee structure is based on the total number of attorneys in the firm’s Allegheny County offices. All local attorneys in a firm must be a member. Fees depend on the size/nature of the law firm or applicant:

  • 1 (Solo Practitioner) $125

  • Small Firm (2-24) $125/attorney

  • Medium Firm (25-60) $2,500

  • Large Firm (61-100) $5,000

  • Very Large Firm (101+) $7,000

  • Retired Attorney   $100

  • Emeritus Attorney  $0

  • Nonprofit Organization $0

  • Judiciary/Government Employee $0

  • Nonresidents of Allegheny County $200/person

  • Recent Law School Graduate $0 (Click here for details)

Policies & Instructions

The ACLL’s membership fee structure is based on the premise that research performed by one attorney in a firm benefits the entire organization.  Therefore, law firms and corporate legal departments are required to join at the 100% level.  Participation at the 100% level means that the borrowers’ dues are paid for every attorney in the local office of the firm.  In addition, vendor contracts require us to report the total number of local attorneys at the membership firm. The membership fee structure at ACLL is consistent with other comparable public law libraries in the country (e.g. Minneapolis, Seattle, and San Diego).

Membership fees run on a calendar year.  All individuals will receive a library card.  Memberships expire on January 31st.

Report lost or stolen cards immediately; a $5 fee will be charged for a replacement. 

Secure payment can be made with a credit/debit card above. Payment can also be made in person at the ACLL in cash, credit card, or check made out to “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh”.

Recent Graduates

Law school graduates working in Allegheny County receive a complimentary ACLL membership, unless they are employed by a non-member firm. Complimentary memberships last for one year from the date of graduation. Proof of graduation is required.

Please join online under the membership levels section or contact acll@carnegielibrary.org or 412-350-5353 to renew or join.