Thursday, December 30, 2010
Child Custody & Parenting Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new online research guide on Child Custody & Parenting. This guide is part of a special series of legal research guides designed for the public as part of the Colorado Law Project, so you will notice that it looks a little different than our other guides.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Pro se, say what?
With the economy on shaky ground and the recent rash of foreclosures and credit issues, pro se litigants are on the rise. According to Noeleen G. Walder of the New York Law Journal as many as 95% of litigants in foreclosure cases are unrepresented and as many as 99% are unrepresented in consumer credit cases. Those are high numbers and for attorneys that means a host of programs are springing up to help provide legal advice and pro bono counsel to underserved populations.
The Denver Bar Association website lists 16 different county wide pro bono programs serving the state and Metro Volunteer Lawyers makes a goal out of recruiting attorneys who can provide services to pro se litigants. Law students at DU must complete up to 50 hours of uncompensated public interest work during their law school career as a prerequisite to graduation and DU offers a variety of ways to do that other than the organizations listed above. If you are interested in getting some experience and helping those in need, contact Lindsey Webb, Esq., Director of Public Interest, (303) 871.6585, lwebb@law.du.edu , for a detailed listing of programs that assist pro se litigants.
References:
American Bar Association
Law.com
Written by Kimberley Dickey, Law Librarian Fellow
The Denver Bar Association website lists 16 different county wide pro bono programs serving the state and Metro Volunteer Lawyers makes a goal out of recruiting attorneys who can provide services to pro se litigants. Law students at DU must complete up to 50 hours of uncompensated public interest work during their law school career as a prerequisite to graduation and DU offers a variety of ways to do that other than the organizations listed above. If you are interested in getting some experience and helping those in need, contact Lindsey Webb, Esq., Director of Public Interest, (303) 871.6585, lwebb@law.du.edu , for a detailed listing of programs that assist pro se litigants.
References:
American Bar Association
Law.com
Written by Kimberley Dickey, Law Librarian Fellow
Monday, December 13, 2010
Legal Citation
Yay, Uniform Systems of Legal Citation!!
Let’s be honest, it’s pretty difficult to make legal citations sound exciting. After toiling at this blog post for far longer than I’d like to admit, I had almost given up on trying to make this topic anything more than merely informative . . . but then it hit me: where would we be without uniform citation systems? It would be a world of chaos and disorder! (Chaos and disorder is exciting!)
I mean without uniform rules for legal citation we would be running around like crazy people -- wasting a lot of time trying to locate the most basic of legal resources. I can just picture the tantrums and meltdowns now, and, boy, it is NOT a pretty thing to behold!
So, lets spend a moment basking in the glory of The Bluebook and The ALWD Citation Manual!
Now keep in mind, even though new editions of these manuals come out somewhat regularly, they also publish rule changes and clarifications online as well:
The Bluebook
The ALWD Citation Manual
Some people will also want to opt for the online version of the Bluebook. It’s a wild and crazy (and searchable) thing!
If you would like help getting familiar with using Bluebook or ALWD click here for a LexisNexis interactive tutorial, or here for a list of CALI Lessons.
Now don’t forget, each jurisdiction can have it’s own preferred system of citation. Click here for a website with a table outlining the different state-specific practices. When you get to the main website, select “Cross Reference Tables” and then select “Table: State Specific Practices”.
If you need information on how to cite international law or foreign law documents, click here for a link to some useful resources.
If you have any other citation questions please, feel free to come by the Westminster Law Library Reference Desk on the 3rd floor of the library and we would be more than happy to help.
Written by Jennifer Chang, Law Librarian Fellow
Let’s be honest, it’s pretty difficult to make legal citations sound exciting. After toiling at this blog post for far longer than I’d like to admit, I had almost given up on trying to make this topic anything more than merely informative . . . but then it hit me: where would we be without uniform citation systems? It would be a world of chaos and disorder! (Chaos and disorder is exciting!)
I mean without uniform rules for legal citation we would be running around like crazy people -- wasting a lot of time trying to locate the most basic of legal resources. I can just picture the tantrums and meltdowns now, and, boy, it is NOT a pretty thing to behold!
So, lets spend a moment basking in the glory of The Bluebook and The ALWD Citation Manual!
Now keep in mind, even though new editions of these manuals come out somewhat regularly, they also publish rule changes and clarifications online as well:
The Bluebook
The ALWD Citation Manual
Some people will also want to opt for the online version of the Bluebook. It’s a wild and crazy (and searchable) thing!
If you would like help getting familiar with using Bluebook or ALWD click here for a LexisNexis interactive tutorial, or here for a list of CALI Lessons.
Now don’t forget, each jurisdiction can have it’s own preferred system of citation. Click here for a website with a table outlining the different state-specific practices. When you get to the main website, select “Cross Reference Tables” and then select “Table: State Specific Practices”.
If you need information on how to cite international law or foreign law documents, click here for a link to some useful resources.
If you have any other citation questions please, feel free to come by the Westminster Law Library Reference Desk on the 3rd floor of the library and we would be more than happy to help.
Written by Jennifer Chang, Law Librarian Fellow
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
New Titles in Library
The Westminster Law Library added some new titles to our collection in November. You can see a list of all items or search by subject. Fill out our online form to have the list of new titles emailed to you on a regular basis.
Monday, December 6, 2010
National Indian Law Library
The National Indian Law Library (NILL) is a public law library devoted to federal Indian and tribal law. It serves both the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the public.
Written by Jennifer Hayden, Law Librarian Fellow
“NILL serves the public by developing and making accessible a unique and valuable collection of Indian law resources and assisting people with their Indian law-related information needs. The library proudly serves all members of the general public including individuals and organizations working on behalf of Native Americans” .
The goal of the National Indian Law Library is to achieve “Justice Through Knowledge”. David Selden, NILL Law Librarian, and his small staff divide their time trying to achieve this goal by providing research support to the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), support to the public, and answering questions from outside Colorado via their website. NILL is utilized by other organizations and people throughout the United States, as NILL is the only library with an extensive Indian Law collection to be found in the United States. Access to librarians can be gained through the website along with information pertaining to Indian Law. Check out this wonderful site.
For additional resources, including a comprehensive guide on researching Native American Law, please see the Web Research Links > Topical > Indian Law section of the Law Library's homepage. Written by Jennifer Hayden, Law Librarian Fellow
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Victim's Rights
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new online research guide on Victim's Rights. This guide is part of a special series of legal research guides designed for the public as part of the Colorado Law Project, so you will notice that it looks a little different than our other guides.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Starting a Business Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new online research guide on Starting a Business. This guide is part of a special series of legal research guides designed for the public as part of the Colorado Law Project, so you will notice that it looks a little different than our other guides.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Exam Taking Tips for Law Students
Before the exam:
1. Deal with your stress. While it may seem like a good idea to put workouts on hold, consider instead making time for (a few) activities that help you release stress. This will help you keep your wits about you in the exam room.
2. Review past exams. Often law professors will make past exams available to students; consider checking them out if they would help calm your nerves or make you feel more prepared. If an answer key isn’t provided, consider asking a few colleagues to issue spot the exam and compare results.
3. Consider a study group. Would one help or hurt your studying? Your answer may be different for different courses or different semesters.
4. Create a schedule of what to study when during the month leading up to exams. Try to stick to your schedule to ensure adequate preparation time for each course.
During the exam:
1. Plan! When you first receive an exam, it is usually helpful to outline your response. IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is often a good way to approach an essay, as it will help you organize your thoughts and ensure concise responses.
2. Manage your time. If there are three essays, be sure you don’t burn ¾ of your time on the first question. If you are taking a multiple choice exam, recall the LSAT and give yourself a predetermined amount of time for each question. If you finish early, go back to any answers you are unsure of.
3. Read the prompt at least twice. Because issue spotting is key to being able to write a good essay, read the prompt twice before planning to ensure you have spotted everything you can.
4. Keep your answers to yourself after the exam. While it may be tempting to leave the exam and compare your answers with your 5 closest friends, doing so may leave you feeling as if you have answered questions incorrectly when you have not. This feeling may distract you as you deal with your remaining exams.
Written by Kathryn Michaels, Law Librarian Fellow
1. Deal with your stress. While it may seem like a good idea to put workouts on hold, consider instead making time for (a few) activities that help you release stress. This will help you keep your wits about you in the exam room.
2. Review past exams. Often law professors will make past exams available to students; consider checking them out if they would help calm your nerves or make you feel more prepared. If an answer key isn’t provided, consider asking a few colleagues to issue spot the exam and compare results.
3. Consider a study group. Would one help or hurt your studying? Your answer may be different for different courses or different semesters.
4. Create a schedule of what to study when during the month leading up to exams. Try to stick to your schedule to ensure adequate preparation time for each course.
During the exam:
1. Plan! When you first receive an exam, it is usually helpful to outline your response. IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is often a good way to approach an essay, as it will help you organize your thoughts and ensure concise responses.
2. Manage your time. If there are three essays, be sure you don’t burn ¾ of your time on the first question. If you are taking a multiple choice exam, recall the LSAT and give yourself a predetermined amount of time for each question. If you finish early, go back to any answers you are unsure of.
3. Read the prompt at least twice. Because issue spotting is key to being able to write a good essay, read the prompt twice before planning to ensure you have spotted everything you can.
4. Keep your answers to yourself after the exam. While it may be tempting to leave the exam and compare your answers with your 5 closest friends, doing so may leave you feeling as if you have answered questions incorrectly when you have not. This feeling may distract you as you deal with your remaining exams.
Written by Kathryn Michaels, Law Librarian Fellow
Monday, November 15, 2010
Research Guide on Common Law Marriage
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new online research guide on Common Law Marriage. This guide is part of a special series of legal research guides designed for the public as part of the Colorado Law Project, so you will notice that it looks a little different than our other guides.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
America Recycles Day - Nov. 15, 2010
Everyday Americans recycle their trash because they know it’s an important activity that can have a positive impact on the environment.
But once a year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets aside November 15 to remind everyone that recycling plays a dramatic role in reducing pollution. It’s a great day to recommit to recycling, and to consider adding some additional recycling activities to our daily routines.
The average American discards about 4.5 pounds of trash, also known as solid waste, every day. This trash goes mostly to landfills, where it is compacted and buried. Thirty-three percent of solid waste, or 83 million tons, is recovered and recycled or composted; and 54 percent, or 135 million tons, is disposed of in landfills.
But within your trash are many valuable resources which can be recycled and reused, such as glass bottles and jars, plastic detergent jugs, aluminum cans, paper containers and packaging, yard clippings and even food scraps. As the population grows and the amount of trash continues to grow, so will pressure on our landfills, our resources and our environment.
There is nothing new under the sun, according to the National Recycling Coalition. “Before the 1920s, 70 percent of U.S. cities ran programs to recycle certain materials. During World War II, industry recycled and reused about 25 percent of the waste stream.”
America Recycles Day helps to raise awareness of the importance of recycling today. The nation's composting and recycling rate rose from 7.7 percent of the waste stream in 1960 to 17 percent in 1990 and is currently hovering around 33 percent.
Your contribution matters. In 2008 -- the latest recycling statistics available -- recycling and composting 83 million tons of waste saved the equivalent of more than 10.2 billion gallons of gasoline.
To bring the idea of what can be saved closer to home, think about this: By tossing one aluminum soda can into the recycling bin, you’ve just saved enough energy to run your TV for two hours.
It all comes back to our individual efforts. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
For more information on recycling or for more information on America Recycles Day check out these links and the EPA website.
Reprinted from an EPA News Release dated 11/9/10.
But once a year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets aside November 15 to remind everyone that recycling plays a dramatic role in reducing pollution. It’s a great day to recommit to recycling, and to consider adding some additional recycling activities to our daily routines.
The average American discards about 4.5 pounds of trash, also known as solid waste, every day. This trash goes mostly to landfills, where it is compacted and buried. Thirty-three percent of solid waste, or 83 million tons, is recovered and recycled or composted; and 54 percent, or 135 million tons, is disposed of in landfills.
But within your trash are many valuable resources which can be recycled and reused, such as glass bottles and jars, plastic detergent jugs, aluminum cans, paper containers and packaging, yard clippings and even food scraps. As the population grows and the amount of trash continues to grow, so will pressure on our landfills, our resources and our environment.
There is nothing new under the sun, according to the National Recycling Coalition. “Before the 1920s, 70 percent of U.S. cities ran programs to recycle certain materials. During World War II, industry recycled and reused about 25 percent of the waste stream.”
America Recycles Day helps to raise awareness of the importance of recycling today. The nation's composting and recycling rate rose from 7.7 percent of the waste stream in 1960 to 17 percent in 1990 and is currently hovering around 33 percent.
Your contribution matters. In 2008 -- the latest recycling statistics available -- recycling and composting 83 million tons of waste saved the equivalent of more than 10.2 billion gallons of gasoline.
To bring the idea of what can be saved closer to home, think about this: By tossing one aluminum soda can into the recycling bin, you’ve just saved enough energy to run your TV for two hours.
It all comes back to our individual efforts. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
For more information on recycling or for more information on America Recycles Day check out these links and the EPA website.
Reprinted from an EPA News Release dated 11/9/10.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, published by the Central Intelligence Agency, provides a wealth of information about every country in the world including information on geography, people, military, government, communication, transnational issues, and statistics for transportation. Each one of these headings includes subheadings providing the most in-depth information on every country in the world. The Factbook is published once a year and updated online every two weeks. The CIA uses three types of finished intelligence including basic, current, and estimative. Basic is purely fact based information like statistics, current is the information based on new developments, and estimative is concluding a potential outcome. The development of the Factbook is a result of the CIA’s need for basic intelligence about other countries.
The information provided in the Factbook is mostly statistical information covering various topics including the number of cell phones in use, language, death rate, infant mortality, and the percentage of manpower available for military service, to name a few. The World Factbook also contains maps and flags of the world describing each country’s flag and what it represents. Multiple appendices are available providing information on abbreviations, international organizations, international environmental agreements, and weights and measures. Topics like country data codes, hydrographic data, and geographic names are also cross-referenced in the appendix.
Use this link below to begin your research or to just poke around.
The information provided in the Factbook is mostly statistical information covering various topics including the number of cell phones in use, language, death rate, infant mortality, and the percentage of manpower available for military service, to name a few. The World Factbook also contains maps and flags of the world describing each country’s flag and what it represents. Multiple appendices are available providing information on abbreviations, international organizations, international environmental agreements, and weights and measures. Topics like country data codes, hydrographic data, and geographic names are also cross-referenced in the appendix.
Use this link below to begin your research or to just poke around.
Written by Brooke Jennings, Law Librarian Fellow
Monday, November 8, 2010
Shorten URL Links
Threely 3.ly: The 3-Letter URL Shortener (The Shortest in the World!)
Just type a URL in “Enter Web Address (URL)” template and click GO! Use Threely 3.ly http://3.ly/ to shorten URLs in a conversation, instant messaging, e-mail, document or post to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and StumbleUpon
Written by Sheila Green, Reference Librarian
Friday, November 5, 2010
Landlord / Tenant Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new online research guide on Landlord / Tenant law. This guide is part of a special series of legal research guides designed for the public as part of the Colorado Law Project, so you will notice that it looks a little different than our other guides.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Spring Legal Research Classes
Need to enhance your legal research skills before clerking this summer or graduating? Consider taking one of the following legal research classes offered at SCOL during Spring semester.
Federal Legal Research (2 credits) - Taught by Stacey Bowers
Wednesdays, 5:40pm-7:20pm
This course is will focus on advanced legal research methodologies and skills within the context and framework of federal law. The course will explore federal case law, statutes, legislation and legislative history, regulations and regulatory history, agency decisions and websites, treatises, loose leaf services, secondary and practice materials. Students will learn strategies for engaging in research at the federal level and for ensuring that their research is thorough. The course will integrate the use of both print and online resources. Students will complete a series of research assignments and projects throughout the semester.
Foreign & International Law Legal Research - Taught by Joan Policastri
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am-11:45am
This course will introduce students to concepts and skills used in international and foreign law research. Students will learn to construct successful research strategies involving questions of foreign law, public international law and private international law using print and online resources. Both primary and secondary authority will be covered in various formats. Students will understand how different legal systems and cultures influence the use and assessment of legal resources. The course will also equip students to critically evaluate current and future research tools. No foreign language skills are required and while a previous course in comparative or international law may be helpful, it is not required.
Advanced Legal Research (3 credits) - Taught by Debra Austin
Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:50am - 1:05pm
This course will provide students with the opportunity to master a major tool of law practice. Students completing this course will come away with an enhanced ability to do research in state and federal legislative and administrative materials. Students will gain knowledge and experience in the use of non-legal research resources as well as the many practice materials that attorneys frequently rely on. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate a variety of research tools, their ease of use, and relative cost with respect to creating or enhancing a law practice library. Finally, students will sharpen their presentation and public speaking skills and be exposed to innovative teaching technologies. 3 semester hours.
Federal Legal Research (2 credits) - Taught by Stacey Bowers
Wednesdays, 5:40pm-7:20pm
This course is will focus on advanced legal research methodologies and skills within the context and framework of federal law. The course will explore federal case law, statutes, legislation and legislative history, regulations and regulatory history, agency decisions and websites, treatises, loose leaf services, secondary and practice materials. Students will learn strategies for engaging in research at the federal level and for ensuring that their research is thorough. The course will integrate the use of both print and online resources. Students will complete a series of research assignments and projects throughout the semester.
Foreign & International Law Legal Research - Taught by Joan Policastri
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am-11:45am
This course will introduce students to concepts and skills used in international and foreign law research. Students will learn to construct successful research strategies involving questions of foreign law, public international law and private international law using print and online resources. Both primary and secondary authority will be covered in various formats. Students will understand how different legal systems and cultures influence the use and assessment of legal resources. The course will also equip students to critically evaluate current and future research tools. No foreign language skills are required and while a previous course in comparative or international law may be helpful, it is not required.
Advanced Legal Research (3 credits) - Taught by Debra Austin
Mondays & Wednesdays, 11:50am - 1:05pm
This course will provide students with the opportunity to master a major tool of law practice. Students completing this course will come away with an enhanced ability to do research in state and federal legislative and administrative materials. Students will gain knowledge and experience in the use of non-legal research resources as well as the many practice materials that attorneys frequently rely on. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate a variety of research tools, their ease of use, and relative cost with respect to creating or enhancing a law practice library. Finally, students will sharpen their presentation and public speaking skills and be exposed to innovative teaching technologies. 3 semester hours.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Brownlie Ball & Sutton Colloquium 11/5-11/6
DJILP and ILS are sponsoring a new event called the Brownlie Ball on Friday, November 5th from 7-11pm in the Atrium. There will be a band, food from Appaloosa Grill, drinks and a silent auction in order to raise money for a non-profit called Volunteers in Support of Asylum Seekers (VISAS). Their mission is to help non-detainee asylum seekers. Tickets are $15 for students & $35 for others. To attend, buy your ticket on student street or register online.
The Ball helps kick off the 42nd Annual Sutton Colloquium which is being held at the SCOL on Saturday, 11/6th from 9am-5pm. The Colloquium will be on the topic: Drones and their Implication for International Law. There are 8 general & 7 ethics credits available for attorneys attending the Colloquium.
The Ball helps kick off the 42nd Annual Sutton Colloquium which is being held at the SCOL on Saturday, 11/6th from 9am-5pm. The Colloquium will be on the topic: Drones and their Implication for International Law. There are 8 general & 7 ethics credits available for attorneys attending the Colloquium.
Because of the band, the library may be noisy on Friday evening. Please take this into account when you are making your study plans for the evening.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Privacy Foundation Seminar
Interested in privacy issues? The Privacy Foundation at the DU Sturm College of Law, in conjunction with the International Technology Law Association, is having a seminar on Friday, November 5, 2010 from 10am-1pm (lunch included) on the Legal Implications of Internet Advertising. Panels will be in Room 165, Sturm College of Law.
Featured panelists are Chris Hoofnagel - UC Berkeley School of Law, M. Ryan Calo - Stanford Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, Robert Sprague - University of Wyoming College of Business and Corey Ciocchetti, DU Daniels College of Business.
This seminar is FREE to DU Faculty, Staff, Alumni & Students! RSVP to dbales@law.du.edu. Otherwise - the cost is 20$ for the seminar & lunch or 40$ for the seminar, lunch and 3 CLE credits.
•10:00 - 10:10am Introduction
•10:10-10:40am Legal Internet Implications of Behavior Advertising
•10:45-11:45am Future FTC, US & EU Court Responses to Behavior Advertising
•11:50 - 12:50pm Round Table: What Will the Legal Behavioral Advertising Environment be in 2015?
For more information on the Privacy Foundation, please see our earlier blog entry for details.
Featured panelists are Chris Hoofnagel - UC Berkeley School of Law, M. Ryan Calo - Stanford Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School, Robert Sprague - University of Wyoming College of Business and Corey Ciocchetti, DU Daniels College of Business.
This seminar is FREE to DU Faculty, Staff, Alumni & Students! RSVP to dbales@law.du.edu. Otherwise - the cost is 20$ for the seminar & lunch or 40$ for the seminar, lunch and 3 CLE credits.
•10:00 - 10:10am Introduction
•10:10-10:40am Legal Internet Implications of Behavior Advertising
•10:45-11:45am Future FTC, US & EU Court Responses to Behavior Advertising
•11:50 - 12:50pm Round Table: What Will the Legal Behavioral Advertising Environment be in 2015?
For more information on the Privacy Foundation, please see our earlier blog entry for details.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Treaty Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce a new guide on Treaty Research. The guide is divided into the following areas: general treaty resources, U.S. treaty research, specialized topics, treaties by region and a finding aids checklist.
For additional online, interactive research guides see our website . Other foreign and international research guides can be found at under Research Guides on our home page or in the print handout kiosks by the L3 Reference Desk or on L1 outside the FCIL Librarian's office.
For additional online, interactive research guides see our website . Other foreign and international research guides can be found at under Research Guides on our home page or in the print handout kiosks by the L3 Reference Desk or on L1 outside the FCIL Librarian's office.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law
Browse this online U.S. legal encyclopedia for historical background information, statutes, cases, regulations, and see how laws vary from state to state. This resource also features State and Federal Agency Contacts, Glossary, and General Index.
Topics include:
Americans with Disabilities Act
Attorneys
Automobiles
Banking
Business Law
Civil Rights
Consumer Issues
Courts and Procedures
Criminal Law
Dispute Resolution Alternatives
Education
Estate Planning
Family Law
First Amendment Law
Healthcare
Homeland Security
Immigration
Intellectual Property
Internet
Labor Law
Real Estate
Retirement and Aging
Taxes
Telecommunications
Tort and Personal Injury Actions
Travel
Topics include:
Americans with Disabilities Act
Attorneys
Automobiles
Banking
Business Law
Civil Rights
Consumer Issues
Courts and Procedures
Criminal Law
Dispute Resolution Alternatives
Education
Estate Planning
Family Law
First Amendment Law
Healthcare
Homeland Security
Immigration
Intellectual Property
Internet
Labor Law
Real Estate
Retirement and Aging
Taxes
Telecommunications
Tort and Personal Injury Actions
Travel
By Sheila Green, Reference Librarian
Saturday, October 16, 2010
CO Legal Ethics Resources
A new resource on professional responsibility has been published in the Colorado Lawyer. The article, "Colorado Legal Ethics: Guide to Resources" was published at 39 The Colorado Lawyer 109 (August 2010). It was written by Robert Linz, Associate Director and Head of Public Services at the University of Colorado William A. Wise Law Library.
The article is part of The Legal Research Corner column written by area law librarians. Articles cover a variety of topics of interest to Colorado attorneys and law students. Recent topics include using Google Scholar in Patent Research, legislative history, the Casemaker database and local government law.
The article is part of The Legal Research Corner column written by area law librarians. Articles cover a variety of topics of interest to Colorado attorneys and law students. Recent topics include using Google Scholar in Patent Research, legislative history, the Casemaker database and local government law.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
AG Candidates Debate - Oct 14th
The contest between Republican incumbent John Suthers and Democrat Stan Garnett for Colorado Attorney General is heating up. Join the Colorado Bar Association, Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, Colorado Women's Bar Association and the Sam Cary Bar Association on Thursday, Oct. 14, as they present the Attorney General Debate at the University of Denver, moderated by DU Sturm College of Law Dean Martin Katz.
Denver Post reporter Lynn Bartels blogged that this is the first real AG’s race since 1998, so don’t miss a chance to hear where they stand on the issues. Watch and listen to the candidates debate and decide for yourself. The event starts at 5:45 p.m., in Room 165 at the University of Denver. One general CLE credit has been applied for. For more information or to RSVP, contact 303-860-1115, ext. 727 or email.
Denver Post reporter Lynn Bartels blogged that this is the first real AG’s race since 1998, so don’t miss a chance to hear where they stand on the issues. Watch and listen to the candidates debate and decide for yourself. The event starts at 5:45 p.m., in Room 165 at the University of Denver. One general CLE credit has been applied for. For more information or to RSVP, contact 303-860-1115, ext. 727 or email.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Anderson on Colorado Civil Litigation Forms
Colorado attorneys and law students now have a new book that they can refer to for civil litigation forms. Professor Robert Anderson recently published "Anderson on Colorado Civil Litigation Forms", available in the Westminster Law Library at KFC2330 .A65 A53 (2010) or it can be purchased from CLE in Colorado. A complete Table of Contents is posted on their website.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Election Resources
There are many helpful resources to help in determining where you stand on the issues and candidates in the 2010 elections. Listed below are helpful websites with information, both on the issues of the 2010 elections and the candidates who are running for office.
Candidate Websites: The websites listed below are the official websites for the candidates. If there is no website listed, that candidate does not have an official website. Use these websites to learn more about the candidates for 2010 elections.
U.S. Senate
• Ken Buck
• Michael Bennet
• Bob Kinsey
• Maclyn Stringer
• Charley Miller
• J. Moromisato
• Jason Napolitano
• Bruce Lohmiller
• Michele Newman
• Robert Rank
U.S. House of Representatives
• Mike Fallon- District 1
• Diana DeGette-District 1
• Gary Swing- District 1
• Clint Jones- District 1
• Stephan Bailey- District 2
• Jared Polis- District 2
• Curtis Harris- District 2
• Jenna Goss-District 2
• Henry Railbourn-District 2
• John Salazar-District 3
• Scott Tipton-District 3
• Gregory Gilman- District 3
• Jake Segrest- District 3
• John Hargis Sr.- District 3
• James Fritz
• Betsy Markey- District 4
• Cory Gardner-District 4
• Doug Aden-District 4
• Ken "Wasko" Waszkiewicz-District 4
• Doug Lamborn- District 5
• Kevin Bradley-District 5
• Jerell Klaver-District 5
• Brian "Barron X" Scott- District 5
• John Flerlage-District 6
• Mike Coffman- District 6
• Rob McNealy-District 6
• Michael S. Kearns- District 6
• Ed Perlmutter- District 7
• Ryan Frazier-District 7
• Buck Bailey-District 7
Governor
• John Hickenlooper
• Dan Maes
• Jaimes Brown
• Tom Tancredo
• Jason R. Clark
• Paul Fiorino
• Willie Travis Chambers
• Michael R. Moore
• Peter Carr
• Holly Cremeens
Secretary of State
• Scott Gessler
• Bernie Buescher
• Amanda Campbell
State Attorney General
• Stan Garnett
• John Suthers
The following links have helpful information for Colorado’s 2010 elections:
• Colorado Ballot Proposal Information-Blue Book- The bluebook provides voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.
• Colorado Secretary of State- Elections Division-This link takes you to the Secretary of State, Election Division. This Division provides information on the candidates who are running for office as well as initiative information and information for registering and completing voting.
• Colorado 2010 Initiatives and Referred Measures on the General Election Ballot- This link takes you to the Secretary of State, Elections Division section on initiatives and Referred Measures for the 2010 election.
• Colorado Secretary of State- Election Resources- This link take you to the Secretary of State Elections Resource page which links out to helpful information about the upcoming elections.
• Denver Post-Election 2010 Resources- This link provides the Denver Post’s Election 2010 resources, including new stories, polls and information on the candidates and issues in the 2010 elections.
• Denver Public Library-Colorado General Election Resources- This link takes you to the Denver Public Library’s election resource information which provides important dates, as well as resources for voters and the upcoming election.
• Rasmussen Reports-Colorado- This link takes you to Rasmussen Reports which is a polling service and provides information on Colorado and the current election season.
Written by Brittany Cronin, Law Librarian Fellow
Candidate Websites: The websites listed below are the official websites for the candidates. If there is no website listed, that candidate does not have an official website. Use these websites to learn more about the candidates for 2010 elections.
U.S. Senate
• Ken Buck
• Michael Bennet
• Bob Kinsey
• Maclyn Stringer
• Charley Miller
• J. Moromisato
• Jason Napolitano
• Bruce Lohmiller
• Michele Newman
• Robert Rank
U.S. House of Representatives
• Mike Fallon- District 1
• Diana DeGette-District 1
• Gary Swing- District 1
• Clint Jones- District 1
• Stephan Bailey- District 2
• Jared Polis- District 2
• Curtis Harris- District 2
• Jenna Goss-District 2
• Henry Railbourn-District 2
• John Salazar-District 3
• Scott Tipton-District 3
• Gregory Gilman- District 3
• Jake Segrest- District 3
• John Hargis Sr.- District 3
• James Fritz
• Betsy Markey- District 4
• Cory Gardner-District 4
• Doug Aden-District 4
• Ken "Wasko" Waszkiewicz-District 4
• Doug Lamborn- District 5
• Kevin Bradley-District 5
• Jerell Klaver-District 5
• Brian "Barron X" Scott- District 5
• John Flerlage-District 6
• Mike Coffman- District 6
• Rob McNealy-District 6
• Michael S. Kearns- District 6
• Ed Perlmutter- District 7
• Ryan Frazier-District 7
• Buck Bailey-District 7
Governor
• John Hickenlooper
• Dan Maes
• Jaimes Brown
• Tom Tancredo
• Jason R. Clark
• Paul Fiorino
• Willie Travis Chambers
• Michael R. Moore
• Peter Carr
• Holly Cremeens
Secretary of State
• Scott Gessler
• Bernie Buescher
• Amanda Campbell
State Attorney General
• Stan Garnett
• John Suthers
The following links have helpful information for Colorado’s 2010 elections:
• Colorado Ballot Proposal Information-Blue Book- The bluebook provides voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.
• Colorado Secretary of State- Elections Division-This link takes you to the Secretary of State, Election Division. This Division provides information on the candidates who are running for office as well as initiative information and information for registering and completing voting.
• Colorado 2010 Initiatives and Referred Measures on the General Election Ballot- This link takes you to the Secretary of State, Elections Division section on initiatives and Referred Measures for the 2010 election.
• Colorado Secretary of State- Election Resources- This link take you to the Secretary of State Elections Resource page which links out to helpful information about the upcoming elections.
• Denver Post-Election 2010 Resources- This link provides the Denver Post’s Election 2010 resources, including new stories, polls and information on the candidates and issues in the 2010 elections.
• Denver Public Library-Colorado General Election Resources- This link takes you to the Denver Public Library’s election resource information which provides important dates, as well as resources for voters and the upcoming election.
• Rasmussen Reports-Colorado- This link takes you to Rasmussen Reports which is a polling service and provides information on Colorado and the current election season.
Written by Brittany Cronin, Law Librarian Fellow
Thursday, October 7, 2010
July Bar Exam Results
Congratulations to the SCOL graduates who passed the July Colorado bar exam! The results are now in. This site provides an alphabetical list of people who passed the bar as well as some statistics related to the exam.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Expert Witnesses Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library announces the publication of a new online research guide on Expert Witnesses. The guide offers directories and blogs to use in locating expert witnesses, links to evidentiary rules and specific databases to search case law & law reviews on using expert witness testimony. If you would like to suggest a topic for a guide, please contact us.
Monday, October 4, 2010
New U.S. Supreme Court Term Today
The United States Supreme Court term begins today, as it does on the first Monday of October each year. The Court’s term typically lasts until June or July and alternates between “sittings,” when the Justices hear cases and deliver opinions, and “recesses,” when they write opinions and take care of other business. Cases have been selected or noted and some oral arguments scheduled throughout the term. Supreme Court decisions or opinions can be found in several places: the official SCOTUS website, Cornell’s Legal Information Institute or on Findlaw. Print copies of the opinions may be found in the following reporters: U.S. Reports – the official copy , United States Supreme Court Reports, Lawyer’s Edition, and West's Supreme Court Reporter.
The Court’s website includes the court rules, as well as details about visiting the court and the building. Historical information is provided by the Supreme Court Historical Society and from the Oyez project. Oyez also provides information on justices such as photos, financial disclosures, gravesites, etc. and recordings of oral arguments.
The mystique of the Supreme Court has been captured in a Broadway play, movies, television and numerous books. For further research tips on the Supreme Court, see LLRX's Web Guide to U.S. Supreme Court Research.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
International Human Rights Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new Research Guide on International Human Rights. The guide is broken down into several areas: reference materials, treaties & instruments, UN materials, cases, journals & newsletters, blogs & podcasts and country/regional resources.
Check out all of our new online guides. If you would like to suggest a topic for an upcoming guide, please contact us.
Check out all of our new online guides. If you would like to suggest a topic for an upcoming guide, please contact us.
Monday, September 27, 2010
New Prospector Interface
The Prospector catalog has a new look! The new interface uses Encore software from III and will provide users a new and improved search functionality. Prospector offers a way to search the combined catalogs of 25 Colorado & Wyoming public and academic libraries. This can be helpful when you are tracking down law review citations or writing a paper. Once items are located, SCOL students, faculty & staff can put in a request and the book will be delivered to you here where you work or study. Highlights of the new interface include :
•Colorful book jackets
•Cloud tags to narrow your search
•Facets to narrow a search by format, language, place, or publishing date
•Ability to email yourself a list of records
•Explore related searches-generate a new search on new term
•Colorful book jackets
•Cloud tags to narrow your search
•Facets to narrow a search by format, language, place, or publishing date
•Ability to email yourself a list of records
•Explore related searches-generate a new search on new term
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Family Law Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new Research Guide on Family Law. Topics covered include adoption, child custody, marriage, divorce, father's & grandparent's rights and domestic violence. There is one section specific to Colorado law. Check out all of our new online guides. If you would like to suggest a topic for an upcoming guide, please contact us.
Monday, September 20, 2010
BNA Rep Visits DU 9/23
Do you need a topic for a paper? BNA is here to the rescue! You need BNA’s Current Awareness publications. Legal News at your fingertips!
Come sign up for FREE email highlights to our daily publications.
When: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, Thursday, September 23rd
Where: The Forum – on the first floor of the law school building
Just for your efforts you will receive a free water bottle while supplies last!
Come sign up for FREE email highlights to our daily publications.
When: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm, Thursday, September 23rd
Where: The Forum – on the first floor of the law school building
Just for your efforts you will receive a free water bottle while supplies last!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tax Reporters Research Guides
The Westminster Law Library has released two new research guides on tax law: Tax Reporters and Tax Loose-leaf Services. Check it out along with our other online research guides ! If you have a topic that you think would make a good research guide, just email us.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
1L Westlaw & Lexis Training
The Basic Westlaw training classes for 1L students will be the week of September 13-17, 2010 and the Basic Lexis training classes will be the week of September 20-24, 2010. Sign up online at each vendor's website. You will need to bring your passwords and laptops to class. Each class is approximately 50 minutes long. Attendance will be taken and given to your LP professor.
These classes provide the foundation skills for Westlaw & Lexis research that you will build upon during the year and throughout your time in law school. Learning to use both systems well (and cost effectively) is a good marketing tool when you start applying for clerking jobs so take advantage of the opportunity to develop these skills.
If you miss these trainings, please stop by the vendor tables outside of the Library on the second floor to make an individual appointment with a student rep. After your training, the student rep will notify your LP professor of your attendance.
These classes provide the foundation skills for Westlaw & Lexis research that you will build upon during the year and throughout your time in law school. Learning to use both systems well (and cost effectively) is a good marketing tool when you start applying for clerking jobs so take advantage of the opportunity to develop these skills.
If you miss these trainings, please stop by the vendor tables outside of the Library on the second floor to make an individual appointment with a student rep. After your training, the student rep will notify your LP professor of your attendance.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
19th Edition of Bluebook
The 2010, 19th edition of the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is now available. The library has purchased 10 copies spread between the circulating stacks, reference, and reserve. Here are some details on changes in the new edition from the Harvard website.
We hear that the DU Bookstore no longer has copies in stock... if you prefer, you can purchase an online copy of the Bluebook (32$ for one year, 42$ for two years or 50$ for three years) at http://www.legalbluebook.com/Purchase/Products.aspx?op=Subscription.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Legal Research Overview for 1L Students
Open Sessions
***** Cookies and Brownies Provided*****
Wednesday, September 15 7:25 – 8:25pm Room 145
Monday, September 27 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 125
Wednesday, September 29 7:25 – 8:25pm Room 145
Friday, October 1 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 259 (new room)
Saturday, October 2 10:00 – 11:00am Room 259 (new room)
Tuesday, October 5 4:00 – 5:00pm Room 259
Friday, October 8 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 145
Each session will cover:
Navigating the law library’s homepage
Effective use of the law library’s catalog and online databases
Searching in the HeinOnline and LegalTrac databases
Utilizing the law library’s research guides
Exploring the law library’s Web research links
Learning how to locate journals online
Making the most of CALI
Questions & Answers
Wednesday, September 15 7:25 – 8:25pm Room 145
Monday, September 27 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 125
Wednesday, September 29 7:25 – 8:25pm Room 145
Friday, October 1 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 259 (new room)
Saturday, October 2 10:00 – 11:00am Room 259 (new room)
Tuesday, October 5 4:00 – 5:00pm Room 259
Friday, October 8 12:00 – 1:00pm Room 145
Each session will cover:
Navigating the law library’s homepage
Effective use of the law library’s catalog and online databases
Searching in the HeinOnline and LegalTrac databases
Utilizing the law library’s research guides
Exploring the law library’s Web research links
Learning how to locate journals online
Making the most of CALI
Questions & Answers
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Federal Legislative History Research Guide
The Westminster Law Library is pleased to announce the release of a new Federal Legislative History Research Guide. Check out our other online research guides for resources on additional topics.
We hope you enjoy the new format for our Research Guides! We will be transitioning our handouts to this new format in the upcoming year. In the meantime, please note that additional guides using the old format are available at the reference desk or online.
We hope you enjoy the new format for our Research Guides! We will be transitioning our handouts to this new format in the upcoming year. In the meantime, please note that additional guides using the old format are available at the reference desk or online.
Friday, September 3, 2010
AskColorado 24/7 Reference Service
AskColorado Celebrates Seven Years, Nears 300,000 Questions (and the Westminster Law Library is proud to have been a referral library for legal questions since the very beginning!)
Since Sept. 2, 2003, AskColorado has quietly and efficiently answered nearly 300,000 questions from students, parents, business owners, military personnel, and other residents of Colorado.
AskColorado is staffed by qualified information professionals, librarians from Colorado libraries! It is a free service for Colorado residents to ask questions from the comfort of their homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The librarians utilize sophisticated chat technology to communicate one-on-one and push links and other information to their clients. They use the same Live Help technology currently being used by large e-retailers such at REI and Godiva Chocolatier.
“We offer the human touch to an oftentimes impersonal Internet, and help put people in touch with information that they would otherwise be unable to locate themselves,” said Kris Johnson, AskColorado operations manager. “And judging by our numbers, people need us!”
Recent comments from customers highlight the need and usefulness of AskColorado:
• Love that I can access a librarian 24/7 as I often am in urgent need for help when the regular library is closed and I can't find what I need on the library website. Great friendly and quick service. Very impressed.
• I was so happy to find this service! I was lost navigating a variety of sites and the librarian helped me find the one I needed for my paper.
• The human touch was there. Doesn’t get any better than that!
Early on it was recognized that despite the plethora of easily-obtainable information via the Internet, people were having trouble finding the “right information” and credible information. To address this problem, Colorado libraries joined forces to create AskColorado in 2003. AskColorado was one of the first statewide, multi-library-type, virtual reference services to open in the U.S., and remains one of only fifteen or so states that continue with such a service today.
“While states such as Massachusetts and California have discontinued their services, ours continues today to offer high-level service, along with other states such as Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey,” added Johnson. “Our per-capita usage rivals that of those larger states.”
Residents from every county in Colorado have logged in, with nearly 25% of those questions coming from rural areas. Questions range the gamut, from homework help for kids, to how to start a small business for adults. Recent research questions include:
• I am trying to find research studies on effective classroom routines or how such routines help with classroom management.
• What is the amount of water the entire state of Colorado uses in one day?
• I am researching the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a job search tool. I have lots of short articles but no substantial research. Help!
• I am sending invitations to our state senators and representatives. How do I address them on the envelope?
AskColorado also receive its share of whimsical questions:
• Can you help me find an article that has a list of the top 500 fictional villains…the evilest!?
• What is the circumference of a moose?
Interesting questions received on the service are posted at the AskColorado Twitter account nearly daily. AskColorado also participates in popular social networking sites, including Facebook and Delicious .
Libraries throughout Colorado of every type -- public, academic, school and specialized libraries -- contribute money to pay for the software and 24/7 service. Local libraries also provide the staff time to work online with Colorado students and residents.
The AskColorado service works on a model similar to public radio: it is grant-funded and paid for by member libraries. Federal monies through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) are supplied via the Colorado State Library, a unit of the Colorado Department of Education. In addition, member libraries contribute financially and through staff support.
For more about AskColorado see www.askcolorado.org or contact the operations manager Kris Johnson.
Since Sept. 2, 2003, AskColorado has quietly and efficiently answered nearly 300,000 questions from students, parents, business owners, military personnel, and other residents of Colorado.
AskColorado is staffed by qualified information professionals, librarians from Colorado libraries! It is a free service for Colorado residents to ask questions from the comfort of their homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The librarians utilize sophisticated chat technology to communicate one-on-one and push links and other information to their clients. They use the same Live Help technology currently being used by large e-retailers such at REI and Godiva Chocolatier.
“We offer the human touch to an oftentimes impersonal Internet, and help put people in touch with information that they would otherwise be unable to locate themselves,” said Kris Johnson, AskColorado operations manager. “And judging by our numbers, people need us!”
Recent comments from customers highlight the need and usefulness of AskColorado:
• Love that I can access a librarian 24/7 as I often am in urgent need for help when the regular library is closed and I can't find what I need on the library website. Great friendly and quick service. Very impressed.
• I was so happy to find this service! I was lost navigating a variety of sites and the librarian helped me find the one I needed for my paper.
• The human touch was there. Doesn’t get any better than that!
Early on it was recognized that despite the plethora of easily-obtainable information via the Internet, people were having trouble finding the “right information” and credible information. To address this problem, Colorado libraries joined forces to create AskColorado in 2003. AskColorado was one of the first statewide, multi-library-type, virtual reference services to open in the U.S., and remains one of only fifteen or so states that continue with such a service today.
“While states such as Massachusetts and California have discontinued their services, ours continues today to offer high-level service, along with other states such as Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey,” added Johnson. “Our per-capita usage rivals that of those larger states.”
Residents from every county in Colorado have logged in, with nearly 25% of those questions coming from rural areas. Questions range the gamut, from homework help for kids, to how to start a small business for adults. Recent research questions include:
• I am trying to find research studies on effective classroom routines or how such routines help with classroom management.
• What is the amount of water the entire state of Colorado uses in one day?
• I am researching the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a job search tool. I have lots of short articles but no substantial research. Help!
• I am sending invitations to our state senators and representatives. How do I address them on the envelope?
AskColorado also receive its share of whimsical questions:
• Can you help me find an article that has a list of the top 500 fictional villains…the evilest!?
• What is the circumference of a moose?
Interesting questions received on the service are posted at the AskColorado Twitter account nearly daily. AskColorado also participates in popular social networking sites, including Facebook and Delicious .
Libraries throughout Colorado of every type -- public, academic, school and specialized libraries -- contribute money to pay for the software and 24/7 service. Local libraries also provide the staff time to work online with Colorado students and residents.
The AskColorado service works on a model similar to public radio: it is grant-funded and paid for by member libraries. Federal monies through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) are supplied via the Colorado State Library, a unit of the Colorado Department of Education. In addition, member libraries contribute financially and through staff support.
For more about AskColorado see www.askcolorado.org or contact the operations manager Kris Johnson.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
AAP / Bar Success Program
AAP/Bar Success Resource Center in Rm. 314 is now open with study aids and materials available for checkout to all law school students! The Center is staffed by AAP student leaders and faculty who are available to answer questions on a drop-in basis.
The Resource Center is typically open over the lunch hour and late afternoon/early evening hours, as well as an hour on Saturdays. Check out the posted schedule on our door for more specifics.
We are having a FALL 2010 GRAND OPENING on Tuesday, August 31st from 11-6PM. Come visit us for homemade cookies and a chance to enter your name in a drawing for a gift certificate from the DU Bookstore!
For more information about AAP and what we can do for you, please visit our website.
The Resource Center is typically open over the lunch hour and late afternoon/early evening hours, as well as an hour on Saturdays. Check out the posted schedule on our door for more specifics.
We are having a FALL 2010 GRAND OPENING on Tuesday, August 31st from 11-6PM. Come visit us for homemade cookies and a chance to enter your name in a drawing for a gift certificate from the DU Bookstore!
For more information about AAP and what we can do for you, please visit our website.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Lexis Student Rep Office Hours
The Lexis Student Reps hold regular office hours at the Lexis table outside the Westminster Law Library on level 2 of the SCOL. Stop by for search assistance, password problems, freebies, etc. If your question arises outside of their office hours, you can call the 24 Hour Lexis Customer Service line at 1-800-45-LEXIS (53947) or chat online with a customer service representative.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Legal Research Boot Camp
On May 24, 2010, the Westminster Law Library in conjunction with the Legal Externship Program and the Career Development Center held a boot camp titled, Make Your Summer Experience a Success. This was the first time for the boot camp.
The event was for all law students and provided research skills for students working in any capacity during the summer. Legal research presentations included: Colorado Practice Materials, Legal Forms & Documents, Secondary Sources, and Alternatives to Westlaw and Lexis. Ann Vessels kicked off the event with her Getting it Right: Communicating with your Supervisor talk and the Career Development Center team discussed career advice with their, Backpack to Briefcase panel.
The Law Library plans to make this an annual event. So, be on the lookout for the next Make Your Summer Experience a Success in May or June 2011.
If you have any thoughts or ideas regarding the event, please contact Stacey Bowers . We value your input and hope to have a big turn out next spring.
You can access the materials in PowerPoint or PDF from the 2010 event here. Print copies will also be available at the Reference Desk while supplies last.
The event was for all law students and provided research skills for students working in any capacity during the summer. Legal research presentations included: Colorado Practice Materials, Legal Forms & Documents, Secondary Sources, and Alternatives to Westlaw and Lexis. Ann Vessels kicked off the event with her Getting it Right: Communicating with your Supervisor talk and the Career Development Center team discussed career advice with their, Backpack to Briefcase panel.
The Law Library plans to make this an annual event. So, be on the lookout for the next Make Your Summer Experience a Success in May or June 2011.
If you have any thoughts or ideas regarding the event, please contact Stacey Bowers . We value your input and hope to have a big turn out next spring.
You can access the materials in PowerPoint or PDF from the 2010 event here. Print copies will also be available at the Reference Desk while supplies last.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Need BNA Search Assistance?
The BNA Legal Solutions Consultant, Heidi Reese, will be staffing a table on Level 1 (by the couches) from 1-3pm on Friday, August 27, 2010. She will have handouts & tips on searching the various BNA databases that the library has under subscription. Heidi can also give you some tips on using BNA resources to find research or paper topics in your specialized classes.
If you missed the BNA information table, stop by the Reference Desk for search handouts and free keychains with flashlights, while supplies last.
If you missed the BNA information table, stop by the Reference Desk for search handouts and free keychains with flashlights, while supplies last.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Plug-ins & Extensions
Make your legal research and writing easier with extensions and plug-ins for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Word.
Extensions and plug-ins from third-party developers allow users to extend browser functionality far beyond that offered in the basic application. Below are some extensions/plug-ins that may be helpful with legal research and writing.
Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari browsers both support third-party extensions, however, as this ability is fairly new in both browsers, there are fewer extensions available for them than are available for Mozilla's Firefox.
LexisNexis Toolbar:
Works with Firefox and Internet Explorer; Created by LexisNexis
Free – For Windows XP, Vista, or 2000 – Adds toolbar to browser allowing you to preform searches, find citations, and Shepardize.
LexisNexis Citation Search:
Works with Firefox; Created by AttorneyTech
Free – performs the 'Get by Citation' function.
Lexis for Microsoft Office:
Works with Word; Created by LexisNexis
Written to work with Word 2010, it is backwards compatible with Word 2007. Requires Windows operating system. Links Word and Outlook to Lexis. Allows searches, document management, and makes citations into hyperlinks direct to the case in Lexis.
Westlaw Citation Search:
Works with Firefox; Created by AttorneyTech
Free – performs 'Find Citation' function.
Jureeka! :
Works with Firefox and Chrome; Created by Michael Poulshock
Free – Transforms legal citations in web pages into hyperlinks that point to online source material.
CiteGenie:
Works with Firefox; Created by CiteGenie
Beta is currently free –Copies and pastes text from Westlaw and Lexis with pinpoint citations, with proper Bluebook formatting.
CiteAdvisor:
Works with Word; Created by Westlaw
Windows operating system and Word or WordPerfect - Automates formatting citations, tagging cites, and building tables of authority in your word-processing documents.
Google Scholar Legal Content Star Paginator:
Works with Chrome; Created by Randy Becker
Makes Lexis and Westlaw users feel more at-home while using Google Scholar's legal content. It places page numbers inline with the text, rather than in the margin.
CiteStack:
Works with Chrome; Created by CiteStack
Organizes your Google Scholar legal research into a hierarchical stack of quotations, notes, and brief-ready citations.
And, if you are citing webpages that may update frequently, the following extensions let you capture either the entire page, or the portion you are quoting so you don't have to waste time repeatedly visiting the same pages, try Mendeley.
Evernote Web Clipper:
Works with Firefox, Safari, & mobile devices; Created by Evernote
Free software provides a toolbar button and context menus to easily add a selection or an entire page to Evernote.
Iterasi:
Works with Firefox; Created by Iterasi
Allows you to capture the exact state of a page in your browser and save it forever. Whereas bookmarks allow you to save the location of a Web page, Iterasi saves the exact contents of a Webpage to your own secure account on the Iterasi Website.
Bibliographic Management & Citation Software
Additionally, the volume of articles, cases, and other documents used in writing a paper or brief can quickly overwhelm. The following are some software systems that can help manage those documents and citations, and assist with creating bibliographies.
RefWorks
DU students have access to RefWorks (instructions). RefWorks is a powerful bibliography manager that helps you manage book and journal article citations, and create bibliographies in APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.
Zotero
Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, cite, and share your research sources. It lives right where you do your work—in the web browser itself.
Mendeley
Mendeley is a research management tool for desktop & web. You can explore research trends and connect to other academics in your discipline. With either web-based or desktop software, and a Word plug-in, Mendeley makes bibliographic creation and citation easy.
Extensions and plug-ins from third-party developers allow users to extend browser functionality far beyond that offered in the basic application. Below are some extensions/plug-ins that may be helpful with legal research and writing.
Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari browsers both support third-party extensions, however, as this ability is fairly new in both browsers, there are fewer extensions available for them than are available for Mozilla's Firefox.
LexisNexis Toolbar:
Works with Firefox and Internet Explorer; Created by LexisNexis
Free – For Windows XP, Vista, or 2000 – Adds toolbar to browser allowing you to preform searches, find citations, and Shepardize.
LexisNexis Citation Search:
Works with Firefox; Created by AttorneyTech
Free – performs the 'Get by Citation' function.
Lexis for Microsoft Office:
Works with Word; Created by LexisNexis
Written to work with Word 2010, it is backwards compatible with Word 2007. Requires Windows operating system. Links Word and Outlook to Lexis. Allows searches, document management, and makes citations into hyperlinks direct to the case in Lexis.
Westlaw Citation Search:
Works with Firefox; Created by AttorneyTech
Free – performs 'Find Citation' function.
Jureeka! :
Works with Firefox and Chrome; Created by Michael Poulshock
Free – Transforms legal citations in web pages into hyperlinks that point to online source material.
CiteGenie:
Works with Firefox; Created by CiteGenie
Beta is currently free –Copies and pastes text from Westlaw and Lexis with pinpoint citations, with proper Bluebook formatting.
CiteAdvisor:
Works with Word; Created by Westlaw
Windows operating system and Word or WordPerfect - Automates formatting citations, tagging cites, and building tables of authority in your word-processing documents.
Google Scholar Legal Content Star Paginator:
Works with Chrome; Created by Randy Becker
Makes Lexis and Westlaw users feel more at-home while using Google Scholar's legal content. It places page numbers inline with the text, rather than in the margin.
CiteStack:
Works with Chrome; Created by CiteStack
Organizes your Google Scholar legal research into a hierarchical stack of quotations, notes, and brief-ready citations.
And, if you are citing webpages that may update frequently, the following extensions let you capture either the entire page, or the portion you are quoting so you don't have to waste time repeatedly visiting the same pages, try Mendeley.
Evernote Web Clipper:
Works with Firefox, Safari, & mobile devices; Created by Evernote
Free software provides a toolbar button and context menus to easily add a selection or an entire page to Evernote.
Iterasi:
Works with Firefox; Created by Iterasi
Allows you to capture the exact state of a page in your browser and save it forever. Whereas bookmarks allow you to save the location of a Web page, Iterasi saves the exact contents of a Webpage to your own secure account on the Iterasi Website.
Bibliographic Management & Citation Software
Additionally, the volume of articles, cases, and other documents used in writing a paper or brief can quickly overwhelm. The following are some software systems that can help manage those documents and citations, and assist with creating bibliographies.
RefWorks
DU students have access to RefWorks (instructions). RefWorks is a powerful bibliography manager that helps you manage book and journal article citations, and create bibliographies in APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.
Zotero
Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use Firefox extension to help you collect, manage, cite, and share your research sources. It lives right where you do your work—in the web browser itself.
Mendeley
Mendeley is a research management tool for desktop & web. You can explore research trends and connect to other academics in your discipline. With either web-based or desktop software, and a Word plug-in, Mendeley makes bibliographic creation and citation easy.
Written By Andrew J. Tig Wartluft, Law Librarian Fellow
Monday, August 16, 2010
Interlibrary Loan Options
Can’t find what you’re looking for in the Westminster catalog? Broaden your search into other catalogs by using Prospector! Prospector is a unified catalog of twenty three academic, public and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Through Prospector you have access to over 25 million books, journals, DVDs, CDs, videos and other materials held in these libraries. With a single search you can identify and borrow materials from the collections and have them delivered to your local library by using the Prospector tab at the top of the results page displaying a gentleman holding a pickaxe. It is also possible to connect directly to Prospector at http://prospector.coalliance.org although users are encouraged to begin in their local system. If the item is not located in one of the twenty three libraries nearby, you can expand your search even wider and search globally for your items by using WorldCat.
WorldCat is the world's largest network of library content and services. WorldCat libraries are dedicated to providing access to their resources on the Web. You can search for popular books, music CDs and videos—all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries. You can also discover many new kinds of digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks. You may also find article citations with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. Because WorldCat libraries serve diverse communities in dozens of countries, resources are available in many languages. Access to WorldCat is also available through the Penrose Library.
Keep searching! Ask a librarian for assistance, if needed.
Written by Jennifer Hayden, Law Librarian Fellow
WorldCat is the world's largest network of library content and services. WorldCat libraries are dedicated to providing access to their resources on the Web. You can search for popular books, music CDs and videos—all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries. You can also discover many new kinds of digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks. You may also find article citations with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. Because WorldCat libraries serve diverse communities in dozens of countries, resources are available in many languages. Access to WorldCat is also available through the Penrose Library.
Keep searching! Ask a librarian for assistance, if needed.
Written by Jennifer Hayden, Law Librarian Fellow
Friday, August 13, 2010
New Titles in July
The Westminster Law Library added some new titles to our collection in July. You can see a list of all items or search by subject. Fill out our online form to have the list of new titles emailed to you on a regular basis.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Proposition 8 Decision
Some pretty big news was made by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently. On August 4, 2010, the decision was reached in Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al.. In it, Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs and held that Proposition 8 – which added Sec. 7.5 to the California Constitution (“Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California”)
– violated both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The full decision and supporting documentation has been made available by the Court on its website.
ONE – In the Due Process analysis, the Court was faced with the preliminary question of whether the Plaintiffs were seeking to protect a fundamental right (the right to marry) or create a new right (the right to gay marriage). It felt it was the former, and defined the issue as whether “marriage” was a fundamental right, not whether “gay marriage” was one. In this instance, that made all the difference in the outcome, because the argument that “gay marriage” is fundamental is almost certainly a losing one. On the other hand, “[t]he freedom to marry is recognized as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause” (Decision at p. 110). Because the Plaintiffs sought to exercise the fundamental right to marriage, the legislation impinging on that right was subject to strict scrutiny. Interestingly, the Court largely glossed over the strict scrutiny analysis, referring to the rational basis analysis it conducted later on and saying that “As explained in detail in the equal protection analysis, Proposition 8 cannot withstand rational basis review. Still less can Proposition 8 survive the strict scrutiny required by plaintiffs’ due process claim” (Decision at p. 117). While it is certainly true that no law that fails rational basis review could ever survive strict scrutiny, it was surprising to me that the Court did not give a detailed analysis using strict scrutiny as well, if only to make the opinion that much more “bullet-proof” on appeal.
THREE – Realizing that the rational basis analysis is where the battle is likely to be fought on appeal, the Court took particular care to address each of the possible rationales behind Prop. 8 individually and in turn. It specifically listed each the six rationales offered - (1) reserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman and excluding any other relationship from marriage; (2) proceeding with caution when implementing social changes; (3) promoting opposite sex parenting over same-sex parenting; (4) protecting the freedom of those who oppose marriage for same-sex couples; (5) treating same-sex couples differently from opposite-sex couples; and (6) any other conceivable interest (Decision at pp. 123-24). It then addressed the purported interests, each under a separate sub-heading and each with extensive reference to the findings of fact. This is seemingly done in order to make it more difficult for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, or ultimately the Supreme Court, to overturn the decision. This is because appellate courts are generally loathe to contradict findings of fact from the trial court, and it is those findings of fact that served as the foundation for these conclusions of law.
– violated both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The full decision and supporting documentation has been made available by the Court on its website.
From a legal perspective, with respect to the conclusions of law drawn in the opinion, there are at least three particularly interesting aspects worthy of discussion.
ONE – In the Due Process analysis, the Court was faced with the preliminary question of whether the Plaintiffs were seeking to protect a fundamental right (the right to marry) or create a new right (the right to gay marriage). It felt it was the former, and defined the issue as whether “marriage” was a fundamental right, not whether “gay marriage” was one. In this instance, that made all the difference in the outcome, because the argument that “gay marriage” is fundamental is almost certainly a losing one. On the other hand, “[t]he freedom to marry is recognized as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause” (Decision at p. 110). Because the Plaintiffs sought to exercise the fundamental right to marriage, the legislation impinging on that right was subject to strict scrutiny. Interestingly, the Court largely glossed over the strict scrutiny analysis, referring to the rational basis analysis it conducted later on and saying that “As explained in detail in the equal protection analysis, Proposition 8 cannot withstand rational basis review. Still less can Proposition 8 survive the strict scrutiny required by plaintiffs’ due process claim” (Decision at p. 117). While it is certainly true that no law that fails rational basis review could ever survive strict scrutiny, it was surprising to me that the Court did not give a detailed analysis using strict scrutiny as well, if only to make the opinion that much more “bullet-proof” on appeal.
TWO – Though the Court did ultimately conduct a standard rational basis review of the legislation for purposes of Equal Protection, there is considerable dicta in the opinion suggesting that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation might be subject to a more stringent standard of review. Ultimately, it even goes so far as to say that “the court determines that plaintiffs’ equal protection claim is based on sexual orientation, but this claim is equivalent to a claim of discrimination based on sex” (Decision at p. 121) and “strict scrutiny is the appropriate standard of review to apply to legislative classifications based on sexual orientation” (Decision at p. 122). Despite this dicta, the Court conducted the Equal Protection analysis using the rational basis review. Nevertheless, the language provided in favor of a higher standard of review for sexual orientation discrimination is likely to be quoted and cited in future court cases.
THREE – Realizing that the rational basis analysis is where the battle is likely to be fought on appeal, the Court took particular care to address each of the possible rationales behind Prop. 8 individually and in turn. It specifically listed each the six rationales offered - (1) reserving marriage as a union between a man and a woman and excluding any other relationship from marriage; (2) proceeding with caution when implementing social changes; (3) promoting opposite sex parenting over same-sex parenting; (4) protecting the freedom of those who oppose marriage for same-sex couples; (5) treating same-sex couples differently from opposite-sex couples; and (6) any other conceivable interest (Decision at pp. 123-24). It then addressed the purported interests, each under a separate sub-heading and each with extensive reference to the findings of fact. This is seemingly done in order to make it more difficult for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, or ultimately the Supreme Court, to overturn the decision. This is because appellate courts are generally loathe to contradict findings of fact from the trial court, and it is those findings of fact that served as the foundation for these conclusions of law.
For more information on the litigation associated with California Proposition 8, check out some the following resources:
Websites
Prop 8 Trial Tracker
Proposition 8 News, Updates and More
Prop8case.com
News Releases
ACLU Hails Historic Decision And Urges Efforts In Other States To Ensure Success On Appeal
FoxNews.com – Lawyer Battling Prop 8 Says Ruling Not 'Activism,' Forecasts Supreme Court Fight
New York Magazine – Judge Hands Victory to Proposition 8 Opponents, Gay-Marriage Ban Overturned
SFGate: Home of the San Francisco Chronicle – Prop. 8 trial frames debate on marital rights
The Washington Post – Topic A: Impact of same-sex marriage ruling weighed
Blogs
AC360° Blog
Prop 8 on Trial (A project of Berkeley Law at the University of California, Berkeley)
The California Report and KQED
Wall Street Journal Law Blog
Assorted Blogs on WordPress.com about Proposition 8
Sunday, August 8, 2010
CQ Press Electronic Library
The Westminster Law Library now has access to a new database called CQ Press Electronic Library. Published by Congressioanl Quarterly, the database provides contemporary and historical reference information about the Congressional, Executive, and U.S. Supreme Court and their roles in American domestic and foreign policy.
Titles covered include:
CQ Weekly
CQ Almanac
Congress and the Nation
The Contemporary Middle East
Encyclopedia of the First Amendment
Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion
Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History
Encyclopedia of United States Indian Policy and Law
Guide to Congress
Guide to Political Campaigns in America
Guide to the Presidency
Guide to U.S. Elections
Guide to the U.S. Supreme Court
Historic Documents Series
International Military Alliances, 1648-2008
Political Handbook of the World
Political History of America's Wars
CQ's Politics in America
The Supreme Court Compendium
Supreme Court Yearbook
Washington Information Directory
Monday, August 2, 2010
PACER is your friend!
Public Access to Court Records (PACER) is an online service used by U.S. district and appellate courts for electronic filing, retrieval, and access to court filings. PACER is maintained by the administrative office of the U.S. Courts and its fees are decided by Congressional mandate. At .08 cents a page, it can remain affordable so long as you only view/print what you really need. Their redesigned website offers many helpful guides and FAQs. To access records, you’ll first need to visit the PACER site and apply for a password. After receiving your password from you will find a link called “Court Links” and after clicking you can find the link to the court in which your case is held and log on with your system password as each court maintains its case information locally.
The Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system falls under the umbrella of PACER, but CM/ECF is for filing of documents only and requires a separate password for the same site. PACER is for viewing and retrieving those documents filed by the court and interested parties to a case in CM/ECF. In short, PACER is for finding, CM/ECF is for filing.
It’ true PACER can be tricky and unyielding especially when one is try to file a document that doesn’t not fit within a prescribed category. But in my experience, I’ve found the clerk within the court you’re attempting to file with is always willing to answer questions and help you get on the right track. After working with PACER for over 6 months, it’s turned from enemy to friend. It will soon be your friend too!
Note: If you need to use PACER for a law school assignment, please stop by the Reference Desk for assistance since the Westminster Law Library does maintain a PACER subscription for law school faculty, students & staff.
Written By Kimberley Dickey, Law Librarian Fellow
The Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system falls under the umbrella of PACER, but CM/ECF is for filing of documents only and requires a separate password for the same site. PACER is for viewing and retrieving those documents filed by the court and interested parties to a case in CM/ECF. In short, PACER is for finding, CM/ECF is for filing.
It’ true PACER can be tricky and unyielding especially when one is try to file a document that doesn’t not fit within a prescribed category. But in my experience, I’ve found the clerk within the court you’re attempting to file with is always willing to answer questions and help you get on the right track. After working with PACER for over 6 months, it’s turned from enemy to friend. It will soon be your friend too!
Note: If you need to use PACER for a law school assignment, please stop by the Reference Desk for assistance since the Westminster Law Library does maintain a PACER subscription for law school faculty, students & staff.
Written By Kimberley Dickey, Law Librarian Fellow
Monday, July 26, 2010
Legal Scholarship Blog
The Legal Scholarship Blog helps the academic legal community keep up with conferences, calls for papers, and in-house workshops. Resource pages provide links to articles and other resources about teaching, grants, and empirical legal studies.
Who can the Legal Scholarship Blog help?
LIBRARIANS who want to alert their faculty to upcoming conferences and calls for papers in their specialties.
FACULTY MEMBERS who want to watch for conferences and calls for papers on their own.
FACULTY MEMBERS and CENTER DIRECTORS who want to promote conferences that they are organizing.
JOURNAL EDITORS who want to publicize calls for papers and symposiums.
LL.M. STUDENTS, PH.D. CANDIDATES, and OTHERS who want to become active in the scholarly community by presenting papers, getting published, or simply attending meetings.
JOURNAL EDITORS and OTHER CONFERENCE PLANNERS who want to see whether someone has already announced a symposium on the topic and to check for possible date conflicts.
FACULTY MEMBERS who want to see the papers their colleagues around the country are work shopping.
The Legal Scholarship Blog is a service provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the University of Washington School of Law Gallagher Law Library.
Who can the Legal Scholarship Blog help?
LIBRARIANS who want to alert their faculty to upcoming conferences and calls for papers in their specialties.
FACULTY MEMBERS who want to watch for conferences and calls for papers on their own.
FACULTY MEMBERS and CENTER DIRECTORS who want to promote conferences that they are organizing.
JOURNAL EDITORS who want to publicize calls for papers and symposiums.
LL.M. STUDENTS, PH.D. CANDIDATES, and OTHERS who want to become active in the scholarly community by presenting papers, getting published, or simply attending meetings.
JOURNAL EDITORS and OTHER CONFERENCE PLANNERS who want to see whether someone has already announced a symposium on the topic and to check for possible date conflicts.
FACULTY MEMBERS who want to see the papers their colleagues around the country are work shopping.
The Legal Scholarship Blog is a service provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the University of Washington School of Law Gallagher Law Library.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 2010 Bar Exam
The Colorado Bar Exam is scheduled for July 27-28, 2010 in the Merchandise Mart. The schedule and instructions and location information is posted on the Board of Law Examiner's section of the Colorado Supreme Court website.
Good luck to all of the DU graduates taking the July 2010 bar exam!
Good luck to all of the DU graduates taking the July 2010 bar exam!
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Titles in June
The Westminster Law Library added some new titles to our collection in June. You can see a list of all items or search by subject. Fill out our online form to have the list of new titles emailed to you on a regular basis.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Comparing Prospector & WorldCat
Prospector is an online public access catalog (OPAC) combining the collections of twenty-three libraries across Colorado and Wyoming. The Colorado Library Courier (CLC) provides the delivery of the materials to participating libraries. Users of this catalog can search for and order materials that are not found in their library system. Delivery of materials is free to the user and usually arrives in a week. This is a great resource for students interested in saving money on textbooks. It is important to know that if you decide to order your textbook through Prospector the maximum checkout time (for books) is six weeks so plan accordingly.
WorldCat is a large database that provides access to materials in libraries all over the world. It is the product of an organization called Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). OCLC is a library cooperative consisting of libraries in 171 countries. Library users are able to find and request materials from libraries all over the Country and in most cases it is free. Sometimes there is a small fee involved if the item is located outside of the United States to cover shipping costs. You will receive a notification of the fee before the request is processed. Some library systems including the Denver Public Library limit the amount of requests a patron can make through WorldCat so use it only as a last resort.
If you are interested in more information here are some helpful links:
• Access from Westminster Law Library website
• Access from Penrose Library website
• CliC
• OCLC
Written by Brooke Jennings, Law Librarian Fellow
WorldCat is a large database that provides access to materials in libraries all over the world. It is the product of an organization called Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). OCLC is a library cooperative consisting of libraries in 171 countries. Library users are able to find and request materials from libraries all over the Country and in most cases it is free. Sometimes there is a small fee involved if the item is located outside of the United States to cover shipping costs. You will receive a notification of the fee before the request is processed. Some library systems including the Denver Public Library limit the amount of requests a patron can make through WorldCat so use it only as a last resort.
If you are interested in more information here are some helpful links:
• Access from Westminster Law Library website
• Access from Penrose Library website
• CliC
• OCLC
Written by Brooke Jennings, Law Librarian Fellow
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