Federal Judicial Center

Here's a great site for all types of key information on the federal court system and its judges. The Federal Judicial Center--the education and research agency for the federal courts--produces biographical, historical, photographic, and educational material on the U.S. courts for its user-friendly web site. The Biographical Directory of Federal Judges provides short, authoritative biographies, judicial salaries, impeachments and other data on federal judges since 1789. It can also be used to create lists of judges in specific categories, such as ethnicity or nominating president. Whether you need overviews of specific federal courts in the system or in individual states, photos and information on historic and current federal courthouses, or a quick tutorial review on how the federal court system works for reference or teaching purposes, it's all here at the Federal Judicial Center.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AS A NEW ATTORNEY

Hear it from THE REAL WORLD perspective in . . .

** "Cost Efficient Research and other Law Practice Survival Tips"**

Wednesday, March 12, 11:10-1pm in Room 205

Presented by
- Kathy Greco, Librarian/CLE Coordinator, Rivkin Radler LLP
- Jim Murphy, Reference and Continuing Education Librarian, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP

Part 6 of the Library's Top 10 Research Skills workshops

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Gigablast Search Engine

The revised version of the Gigablast search engine, currently in beta, is worth a look. Some of its more unusual features, in comparison to other search engines, are as follows.

First, there is its “human-built” directory search, which is based upon the Open Directory Project. Second, there is Gigablast’s “freshness dating”. The latter allows the user to limit Web searches to pages that have been either newly added or significantly revised during the past day, month, or year.

These unusual features help Gigablast to stand out a bit from what is, as you well know, a very crowded field.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Concurring Opinions

Concurring Opinions is a group authored blog covering a broad range of legal topics. From patent litigation to employment discrimination to Facebook, the authors (most of them law professors) offer a varied assortment of insightful and informative posts. Additionally, the blog features guest bloggers and interviews.

Fans of BattleStar Galactica (the newer one) will especially appreciate the interview with television show creators Ron Moore and David Eick. In this four part series, Moore, Eick and Professor Daniel Solove discuss the legal systems, politics, economics and religions found in Battlestar Galactica.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Top 10 Research Skills: Strategic Searching

You've just been handed your first firm research assignment and are a little uncertain as to how you should proceed. The workshop Strategic Searching gives you some pointers on legal research as a process.

1st Strategic Searching workshop is Wednesday, March 5, 1:10-2 pm in Room 243.

2nd Strategic Searching workshop is Tuesday, March 11, 4:10-5 pm in Room 238.

No sign up is necessary and all law students are welcome.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Political Speeches

If you are interested in political speeches, take a look at Allan Louden's Web site. This Wake Forest University site provides access to collections of political speeches, audio sites, individual presidential sites, and political debates.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Top 10 Research Skills: Smart Searching

You are looking for something--one or more cases, articles, or documents that you know exist, or that you hope exist. Why can't you find what you are looking for? Why is it taking so long?

Learn how to save yourself a little time by using a couple of basic tricks, and by using the internet and databases like Westlaw and Lexis to complement each other.

Thursday, March 6, 3:10-4pm in Room 243

Monday, March 10, 5:10-6pm in Room 242 (repeat session)

Like the other workshops, it is open to all Hofstra law students and there is no need to sign up in advance.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat