New Law Student Survey

Spring Semester classes start for most law students in just a few days, so this might be a good time to take a look at the annual survey that reflects law student satisfaction and engagement with the law school experience. The 2010 Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE), "Student Engagement in Law School: In Class and Beyond," was recently released. This year, it represents the survey responses of almost 25,000 law students from 77 law schools. What motivates some law students more than others? Are law students engaged with faculty as career mentors? How many are satisfied with career planning support and with preparation for working with clients? Finally, do the survey results reflect your perceptions, level of satisfaction, and experiences as a law student? Read the report and find out.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Law and Superman?

So, are Superman's powers protected under the Second Amendment? What happens to the estate of superheroes who die and come back to life? How would the Rule Against Perpetuities work? Or, is evidence obtained by mind-reading admissible? How does federalism work in Star Trek's Federation? For these and other critical questions regarding Law and Superheroes, check out Law and the Multiverse blog.

Credit to Blog Gives Superheroes Their Day in Court from the New York Times.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Spain’s Criminal Code Worries General Counsel

Spain’s new criminal code, which for the first time imposes potential criminal liability upon entities that do business there, is raising concerns for companies’ general counsel. To learn more, click here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Until 2011

Phew, after a long tough slog through exams, I needed a couple of days to snooze and recover.

I am waking up only briefly from my well-deserved nap to wish everyone a wonderful, relaxing and also well-deserved break.

I still need a great deal more napping (I am a cat, after all) if I am to be ready for the ardors of the New Year. So, a quick reminder, after 5pm tonight (Wed., 12/22), the Library will be closed. I mean really CLOSED - that is no 24/7 access. We will reopen on Monday, January3 at 9am.

So, to paraphrase a famous line . . .

"Happy Christmas [holidays and New Year] to all, and to all a good-night!"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Congress Repeals Ban Against Gays in the Military

Congress on Saturday, December 18, 2010, by a vote of 65 to 31 struck down the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military. The current "don't ask, don't tell" policy had been passed under the Clinton Administration, which allowed gay men and women to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexual orientation a secret. Political leaders have been trying to ban this policy arguing that it creates discrimination and has caused more than 13,000 men and women to be expelled from the military based on sexual orientation. The new law will be signed next week by President Obama. Read the full news article here.





Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lady Justice: Story of an Icon

Two Yale Law School professors have just published a long-awaited book tracing Lady Justice (with and without blindfold) as both art and symbol throughout the ages and as a presence in courtrooms worldwide. In Representing Justice: Invention, Controversy, and Rights in City-States and Democratic Courtrooms, reviewed earlier this week in a New York Times feature article by Randy Kennedy, professors Judith Resnik and Dennis E. Curtis use of history of the familiar symbol to explain its role in the relationship between democracy and the courts. Explore some of the wonderful images from the book at the Yale Law School Library Document Collection Center site. In February, Hofstra Law Professor Bennett Capers, who has also written on Lady Justice, will speak at a special Yale Law School symposium.




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

“Steep Learning Curve” For New U.S. Supreme Court Justice

The latest U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan, speaks about her new job. Read excerpts from her C-Span interview (her first interview since joining the Court) here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Cats on Westlaw

This video, made by an Arizona Law student, makes for a good study break.


It is a cautionary tale about avoiding extra charges on Westlaw and Lexis. No word from PETA yet.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

THOMAS Enhancements

The Library of Congress started enhancing the THOMAS site in January. Well, THOMAS has undergone its fourth major enhancement of 2010. Click here to read about the enhancements.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Geminid meteor shower this evening

The Geminid meteor shower peaks this evening and tomorrow morning. Jupiter and the moon are also putting on a show this evening. Take a short break from your studies and sky watch.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat