Legal Research

Manage Your Library Transactions Using My Library Account

Posted on August 31, 2009
You just got home and remembered that you forgot to renew your library book. Don't worry. Renew it online from home with MY LIBRARY ACCOUNT. MY LIBRARY ACCOUNT provides access to your library patron record and allows you to see what materials you have checked out and renew them online...

BAR/BRI Class Action Update

Posted on August 30, 2009
We have been told that claim forms for those who paid for a BAR/BRI course between March 2001 and January 2008 to receive a share of the class action settlement against BAR/BRI must be postmarked no later than September 18.  And something tells me that for those who send their forms in, the check they get in the mail will feel like it's worth a little bit more than $30-40...

Cell Phone Driving Laws

Posted on August 29, 2009
Cell phone use and texting while driving are hot topics in the news and in state legislatures these days. The Governor's Highway Safety Association has compiled a useful summary and chart to keep everyone up-to-date on the state of legislation in all 50 states...

1L / Legal Writing Lexis and Westlaw training

Posted on August 28, 2009
As a virtual being, of course I think doing research online is great. But, learn how to do it effectively and efficiently. For all of you taking Legal Writing, sign up for Lexis and Westlaw training at the Library Circulation desk. Get there early to get your preferred days and times...

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Rhetoric For Beginners

Posted on August 27, 2009
Rhetoric is the ancient art of argumentation and discourse. Many of the techniques of argument used by modern lawyers have ancient roots, indeed. Explore these roots, and learn a thing or two about formal argumentation and expression, by visiting Professor L...

Opinions in Westlaw and Lexis

Posted on August 26, 2009
According to this Law.com article, a settlement provision in an Amtrak case called for the judge to "vacate eight of his published opinions and to "direct" Lexis and Westlaw to remove them from their databases." Can a judge really "direct" Lexis and Westlaw to remove published opinions from their databases? Take a look at the article to find out more...

Our Courts: 21st Century Civics

Posted on August 25, 2009
Our Courts - inspired by retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor - is a website designed to teach students civics and the role of the courts. It is designed for middle school students but is a fun way for law students to review the basics. Right now there are two interactive games: Do I have a right? and Supreme Decision that put the player in on the action in a law firm and the Supreme Court...

Go2Web20.net

Posted on August 24, 2009
If you are looking for a way to stay up to date with new web 2.0 services, try Go2Web20.net. The site provides a directory of new web 2.0 tools and applications.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Advice For New Associates

Posted on August 23, 2009
In a recent article in the National Law Journal, Steven Bennett outlines how new law firm associates can avoid some common pitfalls. His answer to problem number one, wasting time?"Ask lots of questions when receiving an assignment. Ask more later, if you are still not sure of the assignment...

JURIST

Posted on August 22, 2009
The start of a new school year is a great time to become acquainted, or reacquainted, with JURIST, the real-time legal news and research site that keeps you up to the minute with legal news from the United States and around the world. Written and maintained by faculty and students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, JURIST is self-described as "the world's only law school-based comprehensive legal news and research service...

Some Basics

Posted on August 21, 2009
WELCOME Back 2Ls and 3Ls and welcome again to the new 1Ls. Just wanted to remind everyone when you can find me prowling the stacks and when I'm off for my required catnaps. The Library is open :Sunday 10 a.m. - Midnight Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - Midnight Friday 8 a...

News from the Government Printing Office (GPO): FDsys

Posted on August 20, 2009
GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys) is an advanced digital system that will enable GPO to manage important government information from all three branches of the U.S. government. FDsys is available as a public beta during the migration of information from GPO Access...

Women's Rights Employment Blog

Posted on August 19, 2009
Anyone following Mad Men has seen stories of sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace. Of course, those stories took place in the 1960's --what about now? Take a look at the Women's Rights Employment Blog to learn about about sex discrimination in today's workplace...

Lexis and Westlaw

Posted on August 18, 2009
Attention 1L students. You should know by now that you must register your Westlaw password for access to TWEN and Westlaw; and your Lexis activation code for access to LexisNexis and Web Courses. You will be using both of these systems and should register as soon as possible...

Supreme Court Database

Posted on August 17, 2009
If you are looking for a resource about Supreme Court decisions, try Supremecourtdatabase.org. The database contains over two hundred pieces of information about each case decided by the Court between the 1953 and 2008 terms.If you are interested in a particular legal or political issue, the analysis tool allows you to select and summarize cases...

No Felonies for 3Ls

Posted on August 16, 2009
New York Lawyer reports that Ohio has become the 42nd state to allow third year law students to handle felony cases, but New York has no plans to join that group.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Starting Law School--A Little Help

Posted on August 15, 2009
For 1L's in the midst of orientation and first class assignments, LexisNexis has posted some straightforward background information on the American legal system with common terms and concepts used in studying cases. Take a look at Introduction to the American Legal System, which might be a useful brief guide as you begin your legal studies...

WELCOME!!

Posted on August 14, 2009
WELCOME new students to the Law School and Law Library. It is my job as Virtual Cat to give you the tips on everything you really need to know about the Law Library. And, my hope is to hear many a meow and comment back from you.So, first things first, get to know the non-virtual Library (o...

Civil Law Online

Posted on August 13, 2009
Explore a legal tradition that is completely different from the Anglo-American common law system. Sponsored by the Center of Civil Law Studies of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU, Civil Law Online offers a single gathering place of resources for the study of the Civil Law...

A Judge for Yosemite National Park

Posted on August 12, 2009
If you love the outdoors, you will be fascinated by this NY Times article about a judgeship for the United States District Court Court in Yosemite National Park. Apparently, the courthouse sits beneath Yosemite Falls and bears have been seen from the windows...

Ways To Get Your Lost Laptop or Cell Phone Back

Posted on August 10, 2009
Click here to listen to Kim Komando discuss ways to find your lost cell phone or lap top.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Fastcase

Posted on August 09, 2009
For those who are interested in a legal research database that is cheaper than Lexis or Westlaw but don't want to subscribe to a database before using it, Fastcase is offering free 24-hour trials.If you are a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association or the Florida Bar (or one of about a dozen other groups that aren't near New York), you already have free access to the database...

Divorce Lawyers in Video Spotlight

Posted on August 08, 2009
Leave it to lawyers, not to be left out. Over 17 million people have viewed JK Wedding Entrance Dance, a wonderful part of "Jill and and Kevin's Big Day," as posted on YouTube. Have you seen the JK Divorce Entrance Dance, a lighthearted parody posted in the past week featuring a cast of dancing divorce lawyers, law clerks, and court officers, not to be outdone by the judge? The video of the courtroom entrance on what is billed , all in fun, as "Jill and Kevin's Last Day," was created by New York City based Indigo Productions...

Other virtual library cats

Posted on August 07, 2009
Did you know that you can visit with other virtual library cats ? All you need is a public library card. You can then access that Library's databases and investigate a wide range of subjects including biographies, genealogy and newspapers. All for free!! Just go to your nearest public library and speak with a librarian...

The 25 Greatest Legal TV Shows

Posted on August 03, 2009
The latest issue of the ABA Journal has a piece on The 25 Greatest Legal TV Shows. Now that the bar is over, you can give yourself a break and relax with some legal TV. You can even vote for your favorite legal TV show on the ABA website.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Movie Review Intelligence

Posted on August 01, 2009
As I mentioned yesterday, now is the time to relax and have some fun. So how do you find the best movies to enjoy, and avoid the disappointing ones? Let Movie Review Intelligence sort it out. The self-described purpose of this site is to give moviegoers (of which about 81%, according to a recent survey, follow movie reviews) the most accurate and complete picture of movie reviews possible...

You Survived!!!

Posted on July 31, 2009
Congratulations to the 3rd years - you have survived the Bar Exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now that you take some time to rest and recover. Enjoy some movies, sleeping late, or my favorite relaxation locale - the Long Island beaches. As a Virtual Cat I don't get to feel the sand between my toes, but many of my feline counterparts do love to sit in the sun...

Where There's Smoke . . .

Posted on July 25, 2009
To those studying for the bar, remember, things could be even worse. As stressful as the bar exam may be, let's keep things civil in the Deane Library and not set it on fire.Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Cool tool - Drop Box

Posted on July 24, 2009
Do you ever wish you can access a file from your laptop when you are using another computer? There is a cool tool on the web called Drop Box . When you sign up for a free account, you can sync your files online and across computers. This way you have only one copy of a file that is automatically synced when you update it...

Wiki Sky?A Virtual Planetarium

Posted on July 23, 2009
The recent anniversary of the first Moon landing reminds us that Summer is an ideal time for outdoor star-gazing. Virtual star-gazing, however, can be interesting, too. See Wiki Sky, for instance. In this free virtual planetarium, you will discover all sorts of interesting information about, and images of, the night sky...

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