They will also serve as a helpful visual measure of the geographical breadth of Lincoln's practice. In addition to maps, other illustrations will be included, such as photographs of Lincoln during his lawyer years, 1836-1861, and contemporary sketches or photographs of courthouses in which Lincoln practiced. Essays on 19 th century legal pleading and practice, the court structure, and a general overview of Lincoln's law career will give essential background information to a researcher. Cases could be won or lost on how well the lawyer fit the facts of the case into the rules that governed the practice of law in the various divisions of court. The Pleading and Practice essay gives essential facts on how cases had to be tried in common law, chancery, criminal, probate, and bankruptcy divisions, and on appeal.
Schematics explain the required flow of documents.
Glossary terms appear in pop-up boxes for easy reference. The structure of the courts changed many times during Lincoln's law career. The essay on Court Structure traces the development of the courts in Illinois and on the federal level. It explains each court's jurisdiction, how the court was administered, and how often it met. Schematics show the system for appeals.