The Human Capital Report

This month saw the release of the Human Capital Report, ranking the major nations of the world on how well they are leveraging their human capital to achieve competitive, productive economies.  Produced by the World Economic Forum, an independent, nonpartisan international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business and other world leaders, the Human Capital Report is free to explore and download here.  It ranks 122 major countries based on 51 indicators spread over four "pillars" of a productive economy:  health and wellness; education; workforce and employment; and the "enabling environment", including such factors as infrastructure and the legal framework. The United States is ranked 16th overall, getting high marks for the capability of our workforce but ranking a disappointing 43rd in the "health and wellness" category, brought down in part by our propensity to stress, obesity, and related illnesses.  Check out the individual country profiles and other useful data for research projects, personal interest, or business planning.    

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Past Exam Archive

Questions/problems with accessing the Past Exam Archive?  Those of you here last year may still be trying to use the old web address.  So, here is the quick primer/reminder:

1.  Bookmark this link - Past Exams
2. When you go to the site, you will be asked for a password.  If you do not know or remember it, ask your favorite Reference librarian.  (Access to the archive is limited to the Hofstra Law community.)

As always, add a comment, or contact your favorite Reference librarian if you have any questions.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lavabit E-Mail Privacy Case

Should the federal government be able to force Internet service providers to turn over encryption keys in the name of national security? Is such a demand a violation of the Fourth Amendment? The Fourth Circuit will soon decide that very issue. Read more here.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

7 Legal Apps for a Law School Student

While prowling around the web, I came across Danielle Minke’s  recent post on Law Tech a blog of Pepperdine University School of Law’s Information Services. 

blog of Pepperdine University School of Law’s Information Services - See more at: http://lawmedia.pepperdine.edu/library/#sthash.rO4E5euf.dpuf

7 Legal Apps for a Law School Student

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Danielle Minke

1. FastCase: This free app available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android allows you to search for cases that have occurred in all 50 states. See the FastCase Web site for more information. 
2. Want to know more about your Supreme Court Justices? The app called PocketJustice gives you all the information you need in the palm of your hand. This app is $0.99 and available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android. 
3. iJuror is a fast and easy way to keep track of your jury. This app costs $4.99 and is available for the iPhone and iPad. 
4. TrialPad allows lawyers to update court files during the actual hearing. Lawyers can hook up any monitor or projector to their iPad to play videos or display images on the screen. This app is $89.99 and available for the iPhone and iPad. 
5. Constitution allows anyone to review the Constitution for free. 
6. Black Law’s Dictionary is a well-known law dictionary. Costing $54.99, it is available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Thanks, Danielle!
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Droid Lawyer

Are you more of a Droid than an Apple?  Although there are a great many iPad/Mac lawyers, the Droids are out there!

For tips and tricks when practicing law with your Android device, check out The Droid Lawyer, Jeffrey Taylor's blog.  He has reviews of Android apps and blog posts on the latest news is in the legal Droid world.

These are the Droids you're looking for!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Want to keep tabs on Congress: there is an App for that

Pocket Congress is a simple menu of current legislative activity and bios of current members of the 113th Congress.

TrakBill is a subscription based service but monitors legislation in real time.

Congressional Record made mobile by the Library of Congress allows you to enjoy - or not - Congressional proceedings and debates on a daily basis.

For more information on these Apps and others check out LTN App Bar:  Keeping Tabs on Congress. 

Most Apps run only on iOS but Android versions are in the works.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New on HeinOnline: Early American Case Law

HeinOnline has just announced the addition of the Early American Case Law collection.  This collection provides the entire Federal Cases 30 book series (1894-1897) which contains more than 20,000 cases.  It also contains the Trinity Series, which includes American Decisions, American Reports, and American State Reports. To access the  Early American Case Law collection on HeinOnline, select "Early American Case Law" from the HeinOnline Subscribed Libraries page.  Click here to learn more about the collection.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat