Words, words, words

Words - they are the tools of the trade as attorneys.  What a word means - a.k.a. its definition - can be crucial whether you are drafting an agreement or litigating a dispute.

For those who want the latest technology, Black's Law Dictionary now has an iphone and iPad app.  (It costs $55). You can also access Black's on Westlaw (no charge).

On Lexis, you can access Ballantine's Law Dictionary (no charge).

On Bloomberg Law you can access Barron's Law Dictionary (no charge).

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Drone Law: An Emerging Field?

Technology advances, and the law must keep current with it. See, for instance, this article about recent legislation in California regarding trespass laws and their applicability to drones.


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Research Resources

The Law Library provides helpful online research guides, all created specifically for Hofstra Law students by our librarians. 

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CALI.org -- Interactive Tutorials for Law Students

Now that classes are underway, and you've been introduced to new subjects and concepts, it's a good time to think about study aids. The interactive tutorials known as CALI Lessons are some of the best.  Over 950 of these tutorials, written by law professors for law students, are free to all Hofstra Law students who register at the CALI.org site. CALI Lessons cover both 1L and more advanced courses.  They focus on specific concepts and topics within legal subject areas, and some are written to correspond to particular casebooks.

And there's more. The CALI.org site offers free legal e-books on many subjects.  Among these is "Law School Materials for Success," a brief guide to the transition process we know as the law school experience, written by law school dean Barbara Glesner Fines with accompanying podcasts on key skills for studying and taking exams.

Registering on the CALI site is easy, but a special code is required. Just stop by the Law Library reference desk and ask for the Hofstra school code.    

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1L Law Library Survival Guide: Types of Legal Materials

1L Law Library Survival Guide:  Types of Legal Materials
 
This research guide explains the resources, both print and electronic, in a law library for a new law student. There are brief explanations of the types of legal resources that a law student is likely to encounter for research and exam preparation.

While this is written with the 1L student in mind, upper level students may find it useful as a quick refresher.  
 
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ABA Journal-How to conquer anxiety and break the ice during professional events (podcast with transcript)

Networking as law students and attorneys is a crucial part of keeping oneself in the job market.  It is not only important in finding new job opportunities but also getting your brand out in the market as well.  But does it give you social anxiety thinking about networking at big events? ABA Journal recently published a podcast (with transcript) by business development coach Larry Kohn.  The podcast provides tips for overcoming anxiety when networking at events.  Click here to access the complete podcast and transcript.

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Use/learn them while they are free

Welcome back to returning students!  Good luck to first years!

New students as well as experienced ones should take advantage of Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw while they are free (in Law School).  Once you graduate these services cost mega $$$.

First years, make sure to register for all three services before your training session on 8/27 or 9/1.  Second and third years, take advantage of training offered throughout the year.

All students - if you have any questions about registering or using these services ask your favorite reference librarian.

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"Learned What?" Unusual Personal Names in the Law

Incoming first-years will have a lot of new material to learn, and part of that process will include encountering some unusual personal names of legal luminaries, such as Learned Hand, William Cranch, and Tapping Reeve. By the way, in addition to being an eminent state supreme court judge, Tapping Reeve was also a pioneer in the founding of American law schools.


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Study Room Reservations

Make your study room reservations online!  Just click, book and confirm!  Click here for more information about LibCal.

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Get to Know the Law Library: More Tours This Week

For those 1Ls who haven't taken a Library Tour yet, there will be more brief tours by our Reference Librarians each day for the remainder of the week:

Wednesday, 8/19            9am; 9:15am; 9:30am; 9:45am

Thursday, 8/20               3:45pm

Friday, 8/21                    12:10pm

So there's still time to join us at Library Circulation Desk at one of these times and complete this item on your To-Do List.  Those interested in a more detailed self-guided tour can also download our Library Audio Tour from the Law Library website.

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