Ferguson Report

The FERGUSON report : Department of Justice investigation of the FERGUSON Police Department is now available in the Library collection (HV8148.F47 F47 2015) and online.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Watching Cute Cat Videos May Be Beneficial—Really!

Granted, I am not a disinterested witness, so let me offer some scientific evidence that it is not only OK to watch cute cat videos online during a Bar exam study break, but it may even be psychologically beneficial.

Read more about the recent Indiana University study here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lincoln: Master of Words

Did you miss Lincoln Speaks: Words That Transformed a Nation, an exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan that closed on June 7?  Well, you can still experience it.  A complete online version of the exhibit, along with supplemental materials, is available at the website of the Lincoln Institute.  The focus of this exhibit is Lincoln's skill with language--the many ways that the successful litigator and President used the power of his written and spoken words to persuade, lead, and inspire diverse audiences, including his constituents, his army, his friends, his country, and the world.  Relax and enjoy any of the exhibit items during short study breaks, or browse particular areas of interest more extensively.  This exhibit has a lot to offer.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: ERISA Litigation Tracker (BNA)

If you are interested in a source that provides significant ERISA cases as they are being litigated then check the BNA ERISA Litigation Tracker.  This source also provides alerts and full text of court filings such as complaints, briefs, motions, settlements, and decisions. The ERISA Litigation Tracker also provides litigation news as well as a feed of the latest firm mergers and attorney moves in ERISA litigation.

To access the ERISA Litigation Tracker (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "BNA" link, click on the tab "Alphabetical List of Products"
• Scroll down to "ERISA Litigation Tracker  (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer Research tip - Treatises

Really this applies all year round, but for those diving into legal research for a Summer job, remember to see if there is a treatise in your subject area.  Let someone else do the work for you!

You can investigate treatises on Bloomberg Law, Lexis or Westlaw (if you have access to these expensive systems - beware of high costs for resources outside of your plan).  Or, you can check out our Recommended Legal Treatises guide.  For NY specific research, this New York Treatises guide provides a detailed and extensive list.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer: Even Non-Humans Like To Swim

Like to swim during your Summer break? You aren’t the only one, and that preference transcends the human genus. Have a look here to see which animals share your enjoyment of natation, including pigs, moose, and yes, even certain felidae.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

U.S. Copyright Office: Fair Use Index

The U. S. Copyright Office launched a new tool for copyright researchers: the Fair Use Index.  "The Fair Use Index tracks a variety of judicial decisions to help both lawyers and non-lawyers better understand the types of uses courts have previously determined to be fair—or not fair. The decisions span multiple federal jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court, circuit courts of appeal, and district courts. Please note that while the Index incorporates a broad selection of cases, it does not include all judicial opinions on fair use. The Copyright Office will update and expand the Index periodically."

(Hat tip to Anne Guha)

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Driving, Mobile Devices, and State Laws

It's summer again, when we drive to new jobs, vacations, and other unfamiliar places both in and outside of New York. Current laws on the use of hand-held phones, texting, and other uses of mobile devices while driving, including penalties, can vary significantly from state to state and are subject to constant revision by legislators.  Justia, the free legal information site, has the current text of New York's laws on the use of mobile phones and other devices while driving.  Section 1225-c of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, relating to the "Use of Mobile Telephones," is available here.  Section 1225-d of the Law, covering the "Use of Portable Electronic Devices," (including their use for text messaging, games, and searching the Internet) is here.  For a quick look at other states' laws on these topics, check out the chart and state law maps provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Bloomberg/LexisAdvance/WestlawNext Alerts - keeping track and updating your online research

So you have a long-term project and you have crafted a really good search query for the project.  Bloomberg/LexisAdvance/WestlawNext all have an "Alert" feature that permits you to save your query, set to run on a specified schedule, and send you an email when there are new search results or even if there are no results.

Alerts are an excellent way to track and update case law, pending legislation, news, dockets, or just about anything you can think to track.  Bloomberg/LexisAdvance/WestlawNext all make it easy to set and manage alerts.  In fact remembering to delete an alert when the need for it is finished may be the hardest part.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Lexis Advance Tips: Accessing Law360.com and Signing up for Daily Newsletters

Law360 provides coverage of industry news and trends in forty different practice areas, state sections with litigation, legislation and regulation, corporate deals, and more.  Faculty and students can access Law360 website and the newsletter service through the law school’s LexisNexis subscription. Follow the instructions below to access Law360.com as well as daily newsletters on topics of your choice.

Access the Law360 website
• Log into your school’s network
• Go to www.law360.com.
• Read the latest legal developments or view recent articles by
practice area
Note: Law360.com articles are also available as part of the
Legal News content on Lexis Advance.

Sign up for daily newsletters:
• Log into your school’s network and go to www.law360.com
• Select your school’s name on the top right
• In the drop down menu, select Newsletter Sign-up 1
• Enter your email 2 and select Practice Areas, Industries,
and Regions of interest.
Your email newsletter will arrive hours before the start of
business each day providing you with updates on the latest
legal developments in your areas of interest.

(Hat tip: Antoinette Stafilas, Esq., Lexis Law school Executive)

To access Lexis Advance, click here. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat