Lawyers and Social Networking

A recent post on the KM Space blog lists some Facebook groups of big law firms (particularly groups made for summer associates), and a post on the Lexblog points out that, despite what some may say, online social networking may be around for awhile, including for lawyers. Adjust your profiles accordingly.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

PollingReport

What do Americans really think about the key social, political and policy issues of the moment? Find the latest poll and survey results from PollingReport, chosen one of time.com's "50 Best Websites 2007". This independent, nonpartisan site posts American survey data from a wide group of reputable and authoritative polling sources, including Pew, Harris, Gallup and a range of major news organizations. The polling results for national surveys are free, with additional state and other data available to subscribers. There is quick access to the latest polls from the main page, along with a selection of opinion survey topics, from health care policy to views of the Supreme Court. Trends are easy to assess, whether from questions asked repeatedly over time or from graphical representations of election tracking polls. For legal research background and data, or just for personal interest, PollingReport is a winner.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

AltLaw—Update

AltLaw, about which we previously blogged last October 4, has expanded its freely available federal case law offerings. AltLaw now offers most federal circuit court cases dating from the past forty or fifty years, as well as U.S. Supreme Court opinions dating from approximately the past thirty years.

West Reporter citations are also now available, but not for the most recent cases, (e.g., for the past one to two years).

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Center for Worklife Law

Family Responsibility Discrimination (also called "caregiver discrimination") is "discrimination against workers who have family caregiving responsibilities" and it can affect both women and men, parents of children and children of the elderly. The Center for Worklife Law at UC Hastings College of the Law is a great resource for learning about this type of discrimination. It offers information about recent cases, model policies, state and local statutes, reports, summaries and much more.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google Timeline

Are you interested in knowing when something was a “hot” topic? Google's new timeline operator will help. Simply add “view:timeline” to any search and a navigable timeline appears across the top of your query results.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Bluebook: Have Your Say

The editors of The Bluebook are asking for advice to help them create the 19th edition. They have an online survey here and are also taking suggestions via email. The survey must be submitted by June 30.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Finding Quotes with Google News

Want to find the actual quote behind all the media comment and spin about what a politician, actor or sports figure has been saying recently? Last week Google announced a new Google News feature that lets you find the original quote fast, and then link directly to the news article where the quote appeared. Just search for a person's name on Google News. For example, a search for New York City Mayor "Michael Bloomberg" will produce a recent Bloomberg quotation above the search results. Clicking on Bloomberg's name under the quote box will bring up more quotations by him, each with a link to the story where the quote appeared in context. To limit results to quotations on a particular topic, just enter a term in the "Search these quotes" box on the left side of the page. It's easy to keep track of the actual words of your favorite candidate or other news makers with quotations on Google News.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Congressional Research: Video Tutorials

The University of California at Berkeley has created several video tutorials that demonstrate how to do Congressional research in the following areas, each of which is highly useful for law students:

Finding bills and Congressional debates from 1989 forward on Thomas

Finding a Congressional report on LexisNexis Congressional

Finding debates from 1873 to the present in print in the Congressional Record.

Note that the video tutorials last from two to five minutes apiece, and that they require Macromedia’s Flash player to be installed on your computer.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Compassion Index from the Animal Welfare Institute

Naturally, I am always interested in legislation affecting me and my friends. Thus, I was happy to find the Compassion Index from the Animal Welfare Institute. The Compassion Index rates U.S. Senators and Representatives based on their positions on animal protective measures. Tracked bills and issues are chosen based on their potential impact on animals. The Compassion Index is updated daily
In order to find out how you own representatives fare, simply enter your state or zip code or enter the name of the representative here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Earth Day

Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation of the Earth's environment. Originally a grassroots demonstration, this day - April 22nd - is now celebrated worldwide. For ideas on what you can do to protect the environment check out the Earth Day page at the EPA. We can all do our part and most is just becoming aware of the little steps that prevent waste.

In the meantime we have a beautiful day for the celebration. Take time to wander around the Hofstra campus and enjoy the surroundings.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat