SECURED TRANSACTIONS LAW
Starting Points
We’ve highlighted some secured transactions law resources the Library has in its collection.
You can find Article 9 of the UCC—in addition to most of the secondary resources for secured
transactions law—on the first floor of the Library. Items marked “Reserve” can be obtained at
the Circulation Desk.

Uniform Commercial Code by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State
Law 6th edition. (KF890 .W456) –A uniform act with the intent of creating universal state
laws in areas such as secured transactions. First published by the Commission in 1952, the
UCC has been adopted by all 50 states and has since gone through numerous revisions.
Article 9 of the UCC governs secured transactions law. All 2Ls are required to take secured
transactions at ASL, and secured transactions law is tested on the bar exam in most states.
The latest incarnation of Article 9 is commonly referred to as “Revised Article 9.”

Mastering Secured Transactions: UCC Article 9 by Richard H. Nowka (KF1050 .Z9 N69) –
Reserve. An excellent supplement for a law school course or the bar exam. All sections of
Revised Article 9 are discussed in this volume. Many examples are included to give
substance to the concepts. In particular, the most important aspects of Revised Article 9 are
covered, including attachment/perfection of a security interest, priority of security interests,
assignment of a security interest, foreclosure, enforcement, and choice-of-law rules. A
convenient feature of this volume (or so think some readers) is that the chapters follow the
chronological organization of the Article 9 process—as compared to the chapters being
organized by subject matter, which is the normal practice.

The Law of Secured Transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code by Barkley Clark
(KF1050 .C6) – In print now for more than a quarter of a century, Clark’s volume
consistently has been hailed as one of the most authoritative treatises in the field of secured
lending. Included is an analysis of recent trends and developments. Citing references to UCC
sections and federal cases are both in-text and footnoted. Excellent table of contents, index.

Virginia Secured Transactions under Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code :
Forms and Practice Manual by Margaret Schwartz (KFV2575 .N43) –Written by an expert
in-state practitioner, the Virginia Secured Transactions Manual is a must-have for any new
practitioner in the state. The volume is comprehensive with an in-depth table of contents and
index. Perhaps the best feature is the CD supplement which contains a large number of
common secured transactions practice forms for Virginia (which also can be found, in print,
inside the volume itself).

Forms under Article 9 of the UCC by the Uniform Commercial Code Committee (ALI)
(KF1048.5 .F672 2009) –Reserve. Updated edition of Forms under Article 9 of the UCC.
Excellent for the practitioner particularly, but also for any student wishing to focus on
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practical skills. The most important secured transactions forms are included, such as security
agreement contracts and enforcement documents. Also includes “how-to guides” on the
simplification of transactional documentation (i.e., shearing down formalistic prose to plain
English). In-text analyses and comparisons to prior versions of Article 9. For a non-statespecific form book, look at Forms Under Article 9 of the UCC by the Uniform Commercial
Code Committee (ALI) (KF1048.5 .F672).

Practice under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code by Stephen L. Sepinuck, editor
(KF1050.Z9 P732) –Reserve. Another great resource for the practitioner or student interested
in practical legal skills. A comprehensive volume which summarizes the complete Revised
Article 9. Numerous charts are included to help the reader better understand the nature of
secured transaction processes such as attachment, perfection, and obtaining federal statutory
liens. In-text analyses and footnoted citing references.

Clarks' Commercial Law Digest: Secured Transactions & Payment Systems by Barkley Clark
and Barbara Clark (KF1050.Z9 C53) – Examines the 2010 amendments—and thus the postfinancial crisis amendments—to Revised Article 9. State legislatures have begun
incorporating these amendments (now ranging in the hundreds) into their legislative codes,
and so this volume is a must-read for any practitioner. Also, a plethora of advice and
commentary on many of the most common (yet crucial) issues that arise in secured
transactions law; for instance, the strategies covered include shoring up assets and enforcing
security interests in areas such as automobiles, equipment, asset-based lending, etc.

The Law and Practice of Secured Transactions: Working with Article 9 by Richard F.
Duncan and William H. Lyons (KF1050 .D86) –Yet another good treatise for the secured
transactions practitioner. The authors do a fine job of deciphering the UCC and
demonstrating to the reader how to apply the various provisions of Article 9 in real-life
situations. Hypotheticals and pointers are often given, and the topics discussed include the
usual, such as attachment, perfection, multi-state transactions, priority rules, default;
foreclosure, and enforcement.

Secured Transactions : Examples and Explanations by James Brook (KF1053 .B765 2011) –
Reserve. A dream for any law student who prefers concrete examples over dry theory.
Studies have shown that different people learn in different kinds of ways—so if you haven’t
explored the E&E, or Questions & Answers series yet, now would be the time. This study
guide contains information on attachment, perfection, priority rules, default, choice-of-law,
and so on.

Secured Transactions in a Nutshell by Richard B. Hagedorn (KF1050.Z9 H345) –Reserve. A
very concise review of the general principles, policies, and methods of secured transactions
law. A favorite for law students under a time crunch.

Understanding Secured Transactions by William H. Lawrence and William H. Henning
(KF1050 .L394) –Reserve. Produced by Lexis, this treatise aims to present the underlying
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rationales of both Revised Article 9 and the Bankruptcy Code as it relates to Article 9. Like
the other mid-sized treaties, Understanding Secured Transactions covers attachment,
perfection, priorities, and enforcement.

The ABCs of the UCC. Article 9, Secured Transactions by Russell A. Hakes and Amelia H.
Boss, editors (KF1050.Z9 H35 1996) –Reserve. Perfect for students looking for a concise yet
thorough summary of Revised Article 9. Includes citing references and a comprehensive
bibliography for starting points to further study.

The Default Provisions of Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code by Timothy
R. Zinnecker (ABA Section of Business Law) (KF1050 .Z56 1999) -- A concise treatise on
Revised Article 9, which contains the full text as well as the official comments on the
revisions. This volume boasts a plain English overview of Revised Article 9, a comparative
analysis vis-à-vis the previous sections, and an in-depth checklist of new issues to consider
for the practitioner. Multitudinous footnotes to UCC code provisions and federal case law.
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