Google Evidence

No, it's not a new web application for court clerks. Joel Cohen and Katherine A. Helm have an interesting new article on Law.com about a recent 2nd Circuit opinion which states that judges can take judicial notice of information published on the internet. The authors make a good point--judges who do this should probably also reveal the websites they've used and how they found those websites. As all librarians know, it is possible for very smart people to use very bad Google search terms.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Underutilized tool

As you finish up your papers for the semester, we are getting some questions on finding some background on some interesting topics. Sometimes full text searching for law review articles just pulls up far too many irrelevant articles. If that is the case, or if you have a very current issue, remember to use a legal periodicals index. My particular favorite is Index to Legal Periodicals-Wilson, available under Article Finding off of the Library's Online Resources page.

Another index that is just as good is LegalTrac - also under Article Finding.

Happy hunting and good luck on exams!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Recession Leads Large Law Firms to Examine Regional Growth

This article, which examines factors that are driving law firms’ expansion in the current economy, might be of interest to those who are looking strategically at their future employment plans.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google search tricks

It seems almost all of us use Google on a regular basis, but do we know everything it can do for us? This New York Times article lists 10 simple Google search tricks that can help you save time.


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Immigration

Immigration reform and unauthorized immigrants are in the news these days. It is a complex issue and it helps to have information on the scope of the problem. Fortunately, the Department of Homeland Security gathers and compiles statistics on who enters the United States. A recent report estimates that the number of unauthorized immigrants decreased between 2008 and 2009. This report and more can be found at DHS | Immigration Statistics. Investigate for yourself!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC)

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) is an agency of the United Nations established to assist Member States with issues concerning illicit drugs and international crime. UNODC’s online legislation legal library provides full text of drug control laws and regulations adopted by countries in support of international drug control treaties. It includes legislation adopted since 1948.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Don't Write Like This

Lowering the Bar has posted a 538-word order by the U.S. Court of International Trade which was ALL ONE SENTENCE. Law students, do not do this on your upcoming exams.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Magna Carta Visit Extended

Thanks to the Icelandic volcano, a rare 1217 manuscript of the Magna Carta will remain on display at the Morgan Library & Museum in Midtown Manhattan through May 30. As explained by Dave Itzkoff at the New York Times ArtsBeat Blog earlier this week, the document from the Bodleian Library at Oxford University--one of only seventeen surviving manuscripts from the 13th century bearing the royal seal--was scheduled for a much shorter stay. However, airlines were not eager to carry it during the unpredictable flight situation caused by the volcanic ash. As a result, law students will still have an opportunity to see this inspirational document after exams and before it heads home to England.




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Politicians and Money

With the discussion of financial reform, these days politics and money are in the news. One interesting web site to further explore that intersection goes by the odd name LittleSis .

Funded by the Sunlight Foundation, LittleSis is a free database detailing the connections between powerful people and organizations. You can search famous people or organizations to track their connections and donations. They answer questions such as:

• Who do the wealthiest Americans donate their money to?
• Where did White House officials work before they were appointed?
• Which lobbyists are married to politicians, and who do they lobby for?

All of this information is public, but scattered. Their data derives from government filings, news articles, and other reputable sources. And they provide citations.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Think The Law Library’s Signs And Policies Are Mean?

Have a look at this assortment of policy signs from various libraries, just for fun. Some are witty, and some are even literary.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat