The United States Code is the official codification of general and permanent laws of the United States. The 2006 edition of the U.S. Code incorporates laws enacted through the One Hundred Ninth Congress, Second Session, and signed by the President on January 15, 2007.
When citing to the U.S. Code, use guidelines outlined in Rule 12.2.1(a) of Bluebook, Eighteenth Edition.
Find the prior editions of the U.S. Code from 1934 - 2000 on Level 3 of the Law Library in the northeast Superseded shelves.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
New Titles
The Westminster Law Library added some new titles to our collection recently. You can see a list of all items or search by subject. Fill out our online form to be emailed a list of new titles on a regular basis. If you are interested in suggesting an item for purchase, let us know!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
New Resource for Moot Court Teams
Supporting our Competition Teams … if you are the member of any of SCOL’s competitions, check out the new book, The 12 Secrets of Persuasive Argument. It’s a short, pithy book…easy reading. Pick it up when you think your presentation is ready and see if you can pick up a few additional tips…(K2251 .W35 2009)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
'NOT' Operator Added to HeinOnline's Field Search
News about a new feature from Hein Online, by Tim Hooge.
For those HeinOnline users who prefer to search using the Field Search, we've added a small but powerful option to this search page. The 'NOT' operator is now a selectable option in addition to the AND/OR operators you are used to using. The 'NOT' operator is used in a search the same way that you would use the AND/OR operators. Simply select the NOT option from the drop box. The NOT operator is different because it functions as an exclusionary tool. This can be quite useful in weeding out search results that are very similar to the topic you are looking for, but are actually irrelevant to your search and just diluting the results that you really want. A simple example of how this works is explained in the short video below.
Again, this is just a simple example of how the NOT operator can function. When used correctly, the NOT operator can be a highly effective tool in narrowing your research to the relevant results you need. The NOT operator has always been available for users searching with the Advanced Search. If you'd like to learn more about searching in HeinOnline, we recommend taking a look at some of the training guides in the HeinOnline Wiki.
For those HeinOnline users who prefer to search using the Field Search, we've added a small but powerful option to this search page. The 'NOT' operator is now a selectable option in addition to the AND/OR operators you are used to using. The 'NOT' operator is used in a search the same way that you would use the AND/OR operators. Simply select the NOT option from the drop box. The NOT operator is different because it functions as an exclusionary tool. This can be quite useful in weeding out search results that are very similar to the topic you are looking for, but are actually irrelevant to your search and just diluting the results that you really want. A simple example of how this works is explained in the short video below.
Again, this is just a simple example of how the NOT operator can function. When used correctly, the NOT operator can be a highly effective tool in narrowing your research to the relevant results you need. The NOT operator has always been available for users searching with the Advanced Search. If you'd like to learn more about searching in HeinOnline, we recommend taking a look at some of the training guides in the HeinOnline Wiki.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Legal Abbreviations
Having trouble deciphering a legal abbreviation in a cite & source assignment? Try Prince's Bieber Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations: A Reference Guide for Attorneys, Legal Secretaries, Paralegals, and Law Students, 6th Edition, Level 3 Reference Desk KF246.B46
Locate meanings for acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols found in reporters, treatises, law reviews, loose-leaf services, legal encyclopedias, law dictionaries, legal reference books, and other documents in forward and reverse order.
Prince's update includes new and/or expanded abbreviations for domestic, foreign, and international agencies, organizations, periodicals, reporters, popular acts, and legal terms and phrases cited in American legal literature.
Locate meanings for acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols found in reporters, treatises, law reviews, loose-leaf services, legal encyclopedias, law dictionaries, legal reference books, and other documents in forward and reverse order.
Prince's update includes new and/or expanded abbreviations for domestic, foreign, and international agencies, organizations, periodicals, reporters, popular acts, and legal terms and phrases cited in American legal literature.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Ask a Librarian
Working on a research paper or a pesky LP assignment? Trying to find that really strange citation for your law review cite & source assignment. Our Reference staff is available to help you with your legal research questions! Come see us at the Reference Desk on the 3rd floor (see hours), call 303-871-6206 or contact us via email.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Student "Lawyers"
As a rule, only lawyers licensed in Colorado may practice law in this state. To obtain a license, you must either waive in as an attorney licensed in a reciprocal state or graduate from an ABA accredited law school, pass the Colorado Bar Examination, and be determined to be of fit character by the Colorado State Board of Law Examiners.
A law student may practice law or give legal advice under the applicable Colorado court rules and statutes, however, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. C.R.S. 12-5-116 provides that students at a law school that maintains a legal-aid dispensary (student clinic) serving poor or legally under served persons may give legal advice and appear in court or before an arbitration panel. Some federal courts such as the United States Bankruptcy Court also provide for student representation.
The Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (C.R.C.P.) Rules 201 et seq. defines the "practice of law" in part as private practice or employment as a lawyer who furnishes legal counsel, drafts documents and pleadings, interprets and gives advice with respect to the law, and/or preparing, trying or presenting cases before courts, executive departments, administrative bureaus or agencies.
Rules regarding the unauthorized practice of law are in C.R.C.P. Rule 228 et seq. The Colorado Supreme Court has the authority to create rules of procedure for all Colorado attorneys and state courts. This is done through an appointed committee known as the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the Supreme Court. Investigations are handled by the Regulation Counsel appointed by the Supreme Court. See C.R.S. 12-5-112 to 12-5-116 as well as Colorado case law. Clearly, an unlicensed person who pretends to be an attorney or represents another person in court is guilty of contempt.
Other areas which may not be so clear include work done or information provided by paralegals, law clerks, students, or other lay persons. It is essential that a lawyer supervise all work done by an unlicensed person, being careful to review legal documents and communications with clients. The Appendix to Chapters 18-20 of the C.R.C.P. outlines the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
Students - Be careful about the legal information you give out before you are admitted to practice, because people will ask you for legal advice without even realizing it!
A law student may practice law or give legal advice under the applicable Colorado court rules and statutes, however, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. C.R.S. 12-5-116 provides that students at a law school that maintains a legal-aid dispensary (student clinic) serving poor or legally under served persons may give legal advice and appear in court or before an arbitration panel. Some federal courts such as the United States Bankruptcy Court also provide for student representation.
The Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (C.R.C.P.) Rules 201 et seq. defines the "practice of law" in part as private practice or employment as a lawyer who furnishes legal counsel, drafts documents and pleadings, interprets and gives advice with respect to the law, and/or preparing, trying or presenting cases before courts, executive departments, administrative bureaus or agencies.
Rules regarding the unauthorized practice of law are in C.R.C.P. Rule 228 et seq. The Colorado Supreme Court has the authority to create rules of procedure for all Colorado attorneys and state courts. This is done through an appointed committee known as the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the Supreme Court. Investigations are handled by the Regulation Counsel appointed by the Supreme Court. See C.R.S. 12-5-112 to 12-5-116 as well as Colorado case law. Clearly, an unlicensed person who pretends to be an attorney or represents another person in court is guilty of contempt.
Other areas which may not be so clear include work done or information provided by paralegals, law clerks, students, or other lay persons. It is essential that a lawyer supervise all work done by an unlicensed person, being careful to review legal documents and communications with clients. The Appendix to Chapters 18-20 of the C.R.C.P. outlines the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
Students - Be careful about the legal information you give out before you are admitted to practice, because people will ask you for legal advice without even realizing it!
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