Finding a Law Blog (Blawg) That's Right for You: Blawg Directories and a Directory of Legal Birds

Are you looking for a blog about law ("a blawg") in a subject that interests you? In my quest to find a quality blawg in my specialty area, I discovered numerous blawg directories. In addition, while putting together this post, I was directed to the December 2012 issue of the ABA Journal. This issue contains the ABA Journal's inaugural "Blawg 100 Hall of Fame," described as the 100 law blogs the authors "can't imagine not making our favorites list each year." Listed below are the links to the ABA Journal "Blawg 100" article and several of the "best" and "not so good" blawg directories.

1. For the ABA Journal "Blawg 100" article, click here. Many of the blawgs listed, such as "Above the Law" and "SCOTUSblog," are exemplary and valuable learning resources. It is exam time, however, so you may want to enjoy the odd legal humor of "Lowering the Bar" or Allison Leotta's analysis of the legal procedures in every episode of "Law and Order."

2.The ABA Journal has its own Blawg Directory. It is a well-maintained list organized by topic, author type, region and law school.

3. Another blawg directory, US Law Blogs, has some good features, but the ads on the site distract me. I like the ability to search for "Today's Posts" by category. After the first click on a post, however, click on the link directly to the blawg to read the post. If you click on the link to the individual post, you will be asked to log in to the blog feed reader. This directory also lets you know when a blawg was last updated and the average number of posts per day. One drawback: some of the blogs listed may be abandoned.

4. "A Taxonomy of Legal Blogs" is unique in its categorization of blawgs. You can search by law or legal event, jurisdictional scope, author/publisher type, number of contributors, topic, collection, or general legal blog. Although this directory may not be updated regularly, it is very useful.

5. Many of the blawgs listed in the directories discussed above are authored by practicing attorneys, often for marketing or networking purposes. For blawgs that focus more on legal scholarship, try the directory at Law Professor Blogs Network.

6. Last, but not least, is Justia's BlawgSearch. This site contains blawg lists by subject, state, country, and law school, as well as a list of other blawg directories. (Note that the alleged University of South Dakota School of Law blawg is written by a University of North Dakota School of Law professor.) And for those on Twitter, the site links to Justia's Legal Birds site for legal professionals who tweet.

(This entry was originally written and posted by Marsha Stacey)