In fact, the term hornbook law , frequently used by a judge to describe simple and well-settled points of law, comes from West Company's Hornbook Series of student treatises. Student hornbooks, however, are useful as case finders because their references are usually selective and limited to landmark cases. The titles in West's Nutshell Series , another group of student texts, are, as the name implies, nonsophisticated books that provide an overview of a topic without detailed analysis or extensive case references. In recent years, continuing education for lawyers has become increasingly important. The American Law Institute and American Bar Association Joint Committee on Continuing Legal Education, the Practising Law Institute, and state bar associations hold seminars and symposia on many current subjects that are directed toward practicing lawyers and intended to keep them up to date on new developments in the law.
Many states have their own continuing legal education institutes.
It is quite common for such institutes to publish handbooks and texts in conjunction with their programs. Very frequently, these publications deal with such subjects as business transactions, personal injuries, commercial and corporate practice, probate practice, trial practice, and other subjects of primary interest to practicing attorneys. West Publishing Company, for example, has a Practitioner Treatise Series. The fundamental characteristics of treatises are essentially the same. The table of contents shows the topical division of the treatise, which is usually arranged by chapters and subdivisions thereof.