U.S. Supreme Court's Upcoming Decision On Health Law

As we mentioned in Monday’s post, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2011-12 term began this week.

One of the court’s most highly anticipated decisions concerns President Obama’s health law. For a worthwhile aggregation of various news stories on that subject, and its implications for the 2012 presidential election, click here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Thomson Reuters News & Insight

Thomson Reuters, the company that brings you Westlaw and WestlawNext as well as Reuters worldwide news services, has a new web site combining Reuters legal and business news with commentary and related source documents from Westlaw. Thomson Reuters News & Insight includes national legal coverage, with specific coverage of New York, California, bankruptcy and securities law developments. The news and some Insight articles on the site are free. Law students and anyone with a Westlaw OnePass account may access the Westlaw documents featured on the site by using their Westlaw password. This is a good source to keep in mind for news and analysis on fast-changing legal issues for class and for legal practice.
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Online Resources: Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO)

Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) is a comprehensive source for theory and research in international affairs. It publishes a wide range of scholarship from 1991 onward that includes working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals and policy briefs.

To access CIAO:

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Foreign/Comparative Law" link
• Click on "Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO"
  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

First Monday in October

The first Monday in October is the start of a new term for the United States Supreme Court. The Court's website was improved over the summer and now has a calendar of court activities on the front page. By clicking an the argument days, one can view what cases are scheduled for argument on that day.

SCOTUSblog is a good site for news and analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's activities. The blog also posts briefs, opinions and transcripts as soon as they become available. The blog is a comprehensive free site for information on the court.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs, 1832-1978

The Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs 1832-1978 offers a comprehensive collection of records and briefs for over 150,000 cases brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. The database is designed to serve as a primary source tool on aspects of American history as well as the U.S. judicial system. Documents include applications for review, motions, oral transcripts, briefs, petitions, supplements and more.

To access Making of Modern Law: U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs:

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "History/Legal History" link
• Scroll down to "Making of Modern Law-USSC Records & Briefs "

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

States Opting Out Of “No Child Left Behind” Education Law?

According to a recent news story, the Obama administration “is allowing states to be exempt from basic elements of the No Child Left Behind law if they meet certain conditions. States can now apply for waivers so that they won't face federal sanctions under the sweeping Bush-era legislation”. Read more here.

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New SCOTUSblog Launched

SCOTUSblog, a respected independent source for online coverage of the Supreme Court since 2002, introduced this week its new, expanded version that will take advantage of an exclusive sponsorship by Bloomberg Law. Tom Goldstein, the attorney founder of SCOTUSblog, will remain as publisher with editorial control of the content, which will remain free to all. Coverage of individual cases and analysis will continue, along with new features. Stephen Wermiel, a former Wall Street Journal Supreme Court reporter, has posted his first bimonthly column on the Court targeted at law students. In their joint press release, Goldstein and Bloomberg Law discussed plans to collaborate on other new features designed to help law students learn about the Court. Beyond the expert coverage, SCOTUSblog will be rolling out a new "community" section soon that will offer moderated discussion and debate of a specific Court-related topic each business day. Take a look at the new SCOTUSblog.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

NLRB Releases Report on Social Media Cases

The National Labor Relations Board issued a preliminary report covering investigations where an employee’s use of social media clashed with an employer’s social media policy. Click here to read the report.

Hat tip to the Law Librarian Blog
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American Community Survey 2010 is released

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released the American Community Survey 2010. The release covers more than 40 topics, such as educational attainment, income, health insurance coverage, occupation, language spoken at home, nativity, ancestry and selected monthly homeowner costs.

The American Community Survey found at American FactFinder is a powerful tool to discover population and social information about specific counties. It is recommended to read the "Using FactFinder" to obtain the best results. You can construct your own tables and download as an Excel spreadsheet to make charts and display the information as wanted.


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25 Greatest Legal Movies Every Lawyer Should Watch

A few weeks ago, the ABA Journal had published an article highlighting 30 books that every lawyer should read during their career. They now have compiled a list of the 25 greatest legal movies. The journal compiled the list by asking 12 prominent lawyers who teach film or are con­nected to the business to choose which movies represent the world of lawyers and the law. Titles include 12 Angry Men, Philadelphia, Chicago and more. See the complete gallery of recommended movies here and many of the titles from the list are available at Hofstra Law Library on the Feature Films cart by the Circulation Desk.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat