The Prairie Law Blog recently posted about our display for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. We are pleased to offer a new addition to the display, which is a new LibGuide on Privacy and Technology Law in the Workplace. The LibGuide, available here, was prepared by Sara Schroeder, who is currently a third-year law student at the University of South Dakota School of Law. Sara completed the LibGuide as her final project for the Advanced Legal Research (ALR) course taught last spring by Professor Darla Jackson, Director of the Law Library.
Sara, along with teammates Becky Fey (3L), and Austin Hoffman (2L) recently won the award for the best respondent's brief and advanced to the semifinal round of the 2014 John Marshall Law School International Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law, held October 23-25 in Chicago, Illinois.
Perhaps Sara's previous research experience with related topics in the ALR course provided some support for the team's preparation of the winning brief.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Happy Halloween! More Trick or Treatise Fun in the Law Library!
The Law School is celebrating Halloween a day early and the Law Library is no exception! We are currently offering "Trick or Treatising" for candy surprises in the Law Library. If you locate one of the following books in the Law Library's collection using our online catalog, there will be a candy treat hidden behind the book!
1. Moore's Federal Practice, 3rd edition, Volume 2
2. Williston on Contracts, 4th edition, Volume 4
3. Law of Wetlands Regulation
Happy hunting! We will continue this event through the day on Friday, October 31 as well!
1. Moore's Federal Practice, 3rd edition, Volume 2
2. Williston on Contracts, 4th edition, Volume 4
3. Law of Wetlands Regulation
Happy hunting! We will continue this event through the day on Friday, October 31 as well!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Trick or Treatise! Halloween Is On Its Way...
Halloween is a week away, and while many are busy planning their costumes, the Law Library invites you to take a moment to visit our display on the lower level, which has been "dressed up" with a Halloween theme!
The display offers search tips and "Tricks" using Google, as well as traditional legal research platforms, including WestlawNext, Lexis Advance, and Bloomberg Law. Especially highlighted are ways to utilize BOO-Lean operators (we couldn't resist) as well as wildcard and truncation symbols. The tips and tricks for Google can also be found at their support site here. Boolean and search operators for the legal research databases (as well as almost any other library database) can usually be located under the Help features.
Also featured on the display are several of the Law Library's print "Treatises" along with information on locating treatises in the legal research databases as well as in the Law Library's collection. Especially highlighted is the Law Library's LibGuide on Legal Treatises and Other Legal Reference Materials by Topic.
Also featured on the display are several of the Law Library's print "Treatises" along with information on locating treatises in the legal research databases as well as in the Law Library's collection. Especially highlighted is the Law Library's LibGuide on Legal Treatises and Other Legal Reference Materials by Topic.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
FEATURE POST: Law Professor Tom Simmons Reviews New Title, Modern Chinese Real Estate Law: Property Development in an Evolving Legal System
Professor Tom Simmons is contributing to the collection development effort of the USD Law Library. Under a recently adopted program, professors make recommendations for titles to be added to the Law Library collection. Consistent with the Collection Development Policy of the Law Library, titles recommended for acquisition by the faculty are given priority consideration. If the recommended title is acquired, the faculty member provides a brief review of the title for publication on the Law Library Blog.
Below Professor Simmons provides the third review for a title acquired under the new program. Thank you Professor Simmons!
Gregory M. Stein, Modern Chinese Real Estate Law: Property Development in an Evolving Legal System (Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 2012)
Professor Gregory M. Stein, the author of Modern Chinese Real Estate Law: Property Development in an Evolving Legal System (Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 2012), is an Associate Dean at the Tennessee College of Law where he teaches courses in advanced property, commercial real estate and land use law. In 2003, he was a visiting Fulbright Professor of Law at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He returned four more times. Those experiences led to this book.
Unlike the existing books on Chinese property law, Professor Stein’s text is lively, cogent, and up-to-date. He attempts to offer a “detailed account of how the Chinese real estate market actually operates in practice.” (6) The actual printed law of property in China is skeletal. Professor Stein describes how the system manages with so few written laws and sets out to explain “how the actors in the world’s most explosive real estate market actually function.” (11)
In Modern Chinese Real Estate Law, the author succeeds in imparting a sense of wonder at the explosion of commercial transactions on so flimsy a legal framework which seems to run counter to the accepted Western thinking that sees an established rule of law as a necessary precondition to economic vitality. At the same time, Professor Stein introduces the basic components of Chinese real estate law, from land use rights, real estate development entities, development issues and banking/financing.
Unfortunately, Professor Stein spends little time on takings, residential leaseholds or title registration, yet his book is an important one and deserving of a wide readership given the importance and unique history that China represents.
Below Professor Simmons provides the third review for a title acquired under the new program. Thank you Professor Simmons!
Gregory M. Stein, Modern Chinese Real Estate Law: Property Development in an Evolving Legal System (Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 2012)
Professor Gregory M. Stein, the author of Modern Chinese Real Estate Law: Property Development in an Evolving Legal System (Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. 2012), is an Associate Dean at the Tennessee College of Law where he teaches courses in advanced property, commercial real estate and land use law. In 2003, he was a visiting Fulbright Professor of Law at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He returned four more times. Those experiences led to this book.
Unlike the existing books on Chinese property law, Professor Stein’s text is lively, cogent, and up-to-date. He attempts to offer a “detailed account of how the Chinese real estate market actually operates in practice.” (6) The actual printed law of property in China is skeletal. Professor Stein describes how the system manages with so few written laws and sets out to explain “how the actors in the world’s most explosive real estate market actually function.” (11)
In Modern Chinese Real Estate Law, the author succeeds in imparting a sense of wonder at the explosion of commercial transactions on so flimsy a legal framework which seems to run counter to the accepted Western thinking that sees an established rule of law as a necessary precondition to economic vitality. At the same time, Professor Stein introduces the basic components of Chinese real estate law, from land use rights, real estate development entities, development issues and banking/financing.
Unfortunately, Professor Stein spends little time on takings, residential leaseholds or title registration, yet his book is an important one and deserving of a wide readership given the importance and unique history that China represents.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
October 19-25 is National Pro Bono Week
Each year, the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service sponsors the celebration of National Pro Bono Week. The celebration is "a coordinated national effort to meet the ever-growing needs of this country's most vulnerable citizens by encouraging and supporting local efforts to expand the delivery of pro bono legal services, and by showcasing the great difference that pro bono lawyers make to the nation, its system of justice, its communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve."
In support of the celebration the Law Library has prepared a display of select materials on the topic of pro bono services available via the Law Library. Included in the display are:
Building your practice with pro bono for lawyers / Nelson P. Miller; and
A copy of Rule 6.1 of the State Bar of South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct regarding voluntary pro bono services. Rule 6.1 provides:
Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service.
A lawyer should render public interest legal service.
A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by:
(a) providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; or
(b) by service without compensation in public interest activities that improve the law, the legal system or the legal profession; or
(c) by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
Monday, October 20, 2014
A Reminder About Security
Law students may want to be aware that earlier this month, another U.S. Law School experienced a large-scale theft of textbooks from student carrels. This occurred at a law school located in a small city, similar in size to Vermillion.
Students should be aware that any time personal belongings are left unattended, there is some risk of theft. Please be aware of this risk when leaving personal items unattended in carrels.
Students should be aware that any time personal belongings are left unattended, there is some risk of theft. Please be aware of this risk when leaving personal items unattended in carrels.
Friday, October 17, 2014
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. In light of the recent hacking incidents at J.P. Morgan Chase, Dairy Queen, and Home Depot, you may not need a reminder that cybersecurity is a growing concern. However, awareness of the steps you should reasonably take to protect your own data as well as the confidential information of clients is already an expectation outlined by the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
To encourage you to develop your cybersecurity awareness, the Law Library has prepared a display of law library resources on the topic, including the Presidential Proclamation concerning National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and an Oklahoma Bar Journal article authored by Law Library Director Darla Jackson discussing technology and confidentiality awareness. Several print books are also featured in the display:
The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law firms, and Business professionals / Jill D. Rhodes and Vincent I. Polley.
Legal Guide to Cybersecurity Research / Jody R. Westby.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. October 2014 marks the 11th Annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
We encourage you to review the materials on display and to visit the websites of the sponsors of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to learn more.
To encourage you to develop your cybersecurity awareness, the Law Library has prepared a display of law library resources on the topic, including the Presidential Proclamation concerning National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and an Oklahoma Bar Journal article authored by Law Library Director Darla Jackson discussing technology and confidentiality awareness. Several print books are also featured in the display:
The ABA Cybersecurity Handbook: A Resource for Attorneys, Law firms, and Business professionals / Jill D. Rhodes and Vincent I. Polley.
Legal Guide to Cybersecurity Research / Jody R. Westby.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident. October 2014 marks the 11th Annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
We encourage you to review the materials on display and to visit the websites of the sponsors of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month to learn more.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Thanks to All Who Participated in Our September Library Card Sign-Up Month Contest!
The Law Library would like to thank all the students who stopped by the Law Library during the month of September to link their Coyote Cards with their borrowing accounts. All students who did so were eligible to enter a contest for a jar of Starburst candies. The winner of the contest was Chad Dotson. Congratulations Chad!
If you didn't have a chance to stop by during September, it's not too late to come by the Circulation/Reference Desk and have us link your card. Don't forget that we can also always check out items to you even if you don't have your card with you. Just provide the desk staff with your name and some other form of identification.
If you didn't have a chance to stop by during September, it's not too late to come by the Circulation/Reference Desk and have us link your card. Don't forget that we can also always check out items to you even if you don't have your card with you. Just provide the desk staff with your name and some other form of identification.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
October is Co-op Month - Law Library Display
October is National Co-op Month and the Law Library is now featuring a display which highlights many of the Law Library's resources regarding cooperative associations. Featured in the display is a recent print issue of the USDA's Rural Cooperatives magazine from the Law Library's Periodicals collection (the publication is also available electronically from the USDA here).
The display also offers information about the Uniform Limited Cooperative Associations Act (ULCAA) as well as scholarly articles authored by Law School Dean Thomas Geu about the ULCAA. Dean Geu's articles can be accessed via the Law School's Selected Works site here.
Several print titles from the Law Library's collection are also featured in the display, including:
Agricultural Co-operation / Malcolm Sargent
The Rise of American Cooperative Enterprise:1620-1920 / Joseph G. Knapp
The Law of Cooperatives / Charles T. Autry and Roland F. Hall
The Farmer’s Benevolent Trust: Law and Agricultural Cooperation in Industrial America, 1865-1945 / Victoria Saker Woeste
The display also offers information about the Uniform Limited Cooperative Associations Act (ULCAA) as well as scholarly articles authored by Law School Dean Thomas Geu about the ULCAA. Dean Geu's articles can be accessed via the Law School's Selected Works site here. Several print titles from the Law Library's collection are also featured in the display, including:
Agricultural Co-operation / Malcolm Sargent
The Rise of American Cooperative Enterprise:1620-1920 / Joseph G. Knapp
The Law of Cooperatives / Charles T. Autry and Roland F. Hall
The Farmer’s Benevolent Trust: Law and Agricultural Cooperation in Industrial America, 1865-1945 / Victoria Saker Woeste
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Display and LibGuide
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was first recognized by Congress in 1989 to encourage awareness of the tragedy of domestic violence, to encourage the support of those who are working to end domestic violence, and to promote other efforts toward this important cause. Legislation designating the commemorative month has passed each year since.
This year, the President's Proclamation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) calls on "all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need." It also highlights the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the recent reauthorization of VAWA which "expanded housing assistance; added critical protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans; and empowered tribal governments to protect Native American women from domestic violence in Indian Country."
In recognition of DVAM, the Law Library has coordinated with the USD School of Law Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking Project (DVSVSP) to create a display offering both Law Library resources on Domestic Violence Law as well as community resources available to victims of domestic violence. Information on Domestic Violence Safe Options Services (a Vermillion-based member program of the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence) is available, as well as one of the silhouettes and materials from the Coalition's Silent Witness program. The silhouettes represent South Dakota women and children who were killed by acts of domestic violence.
Throughout the month of October, DVSVSP is welcoming donations on behalf of Domestic Violence Safe Options Services. Donations can be placed in the bin under the display table in the Law Library. Suggested donations include any paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues, as well as household cleaning products. Domestic Violence Safe Options Services can be contacted at (605)624-5311.
The Law Library has also created a LibGuide that offers information and resources to those researching in the area of Domestic Violence Law.
This year, the President's Proclamation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) calls on "all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they need." It also highlights the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the recent reauthorization of VAWA which "expanded housing assistance; added critical protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans; and empowered tribal governments to protect Native American women from domestic violence in Indian Country."
In recognition of DVAM, the Law Library has coordinated with the USD School of Law Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking Project (DVSVSP) to create a display offering both Law Library resources on Domestic Violence Law as well as community resources available to victims of domestic violence. Information on Domestic Violence Safe Options Services (a Vermillion-based member program of the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic and Sexual Violence) is available, as well as one of the silhouettes and materials from the Coalition's Silent Witness program. The silhouettes represent South Dakota women and children who were killed by acts of domestic violence.Throughout the month of October, DVSVSP is welcoming donations on behalf of Domestic Violence Safe Options Services. Donations can be placed in the bin under the display table in the Law Library. Suggested donations include any paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues, as well as household cleaning products. Domestic Violence Safe Options Services can be contacted at (605)624-5311.
The Law Library has also created a LibGuide that offers information and resources to those researching in the area of Domestic Violence Law.
Reminder About Noise Levels in the Law Library
October is here and the fall semester is roaring right along. However, the Law Library would like to again gently remind our students that "roaring" noise levels are not appropriate for the Law Library.
As we mentioned in our previous post at the beginning of the semester:
1. Noise on the main floor should be kept at a conversational level. Out of courtesy to other library users, cell phone calls should be moved outside the double doors of the Law Library and into the lobby area.
2. Communications on the lower level should also be kept at a conversational level.
3. The upper level of the library generally receives less traffic and provides a place for quiet study. Please keep communications on the upper level to a minimum.
If you desire a quieter place to study in the Law Library, study rooms on both the lower level and upper level are available on a first come, first serve basis or may be reserved in the Dean's Suite.
The Law Library staff and your fellow students thank you for your cooperation!
As we mentioned in our previous post at the beginning of the semester:
1. Noise on the main floor should be kept at a conversational level. Out of courtesy to other library users, cell phone calls should be moved outside the double doors of the Law Library and into the lobby area.
2. Communications on the lower level should also be kept at a conversational level.
3. The upper level of the library generally receives less traffic and provides a place for quiet study. Please keep communications on the upper level to a minimum.
If you desire a quieter place to study in the Law Library, study rooms on both the lower level and upper level are available on a first come, first serve basis or may be reserved in the Dean's Suite.
The Law Library staff and your fellow students thank you for your cooperation!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Monday, October 13 is Native Americans' Day - Library Hours and Display
Monday, October 13 is Native Americans' Day, a legal holiday in the State of South Dakota. In South Dakota, Native Americans' Day is "dedicated to the remembrance of the great Native American leaders who contributed so much to
the history of our state" (SDCL 1-5-1.2).
The McKusick Law Library will be closed to the public on Monday, October 13, and circulation and reference services will not be available. We will resume our normal public hours of 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14. Law students can continue to access the Law Library 24/7 throughout the weekend and on Monday, October 13 using their University ID cards.
In honor of Native Americans' Day the Law Library is currently featuring a display with resources from the Law Library's Native American Law collection. The Law Library also offers a LibGuide with information on additional resources for researching Native American Law.
The McKusick Law Library will be closed to the public on Monday, October 13, and circulation and reference services will not be available. We will resume our normal public hours of 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14. Law students can continue to access the Law Library 24/7 throughout the weekend and on Monday, October 13 using their University ID cards.
In honor of Native Americans' Day the Law Library is currently featuring a display with resources from the Law Library's Native American Law collection. The Law Library also offers a LibGuide with information on additional resources for researching Native American Law.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Susskind Talk Focuses on Multidisciplinary Approach to Future of Legal Profession
The ABA Journal recently reported on a presentation given by Richard Susskind at the Clio Cloud Conference 2014 held last Monday in Chicago. Susskind, who is the author of The End of Lawyers? and other books regarding the legal profession, encouraged lawyers to view the profession's challenges as more than simply legal ones, and to enlist the collaboration of professionals in other disciplines, especially information technology. In his keynote address at the conference Susskind suggested, "there is game-changing technology that could be adopted tomorrow" at the small firm level to ensure small firms' future success.
For those interested in reading books written by Richard Susskind, the following titles are available in the Law Library's collection:
Tomorrow’s Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future / Richard Susskind
The End of Lawyers?: Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services / Richard Susskind
Transforming the Law: Essays on Technology, Justice, and the Legal Marketplace / Richard Susskind
The Future of Law: Facing the Challenges of Information Technology/ Richard Susskind
Expert Systems in Law / Richard E. Susskind
For those interested in reading books written by Richard Susskind, the following titles are available in the Law Library's collection:
Tomorrow’s Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future / Richard Susskind
The End of Lawyers?: Rethinking the Nature of Legal Services / Richard Susskind
Transforming the Law: Essays on Technology, Justice, and the Legal Marketplace / Richard Susskind
The Future of Law: Facing the Challenges of Information Technology/ Richard Susskind
Expert Systems in Law / Richard E. Susskind
Update on Access to PACER Records
The Prairie Law Blog previously posted about compatibility issues with a PACER platform upgrade that led to the unavailability of certain court records from a number of jurisdictions. The removal of the records led to strong reaction from the legal community and ultimately concern from members of Congress.
In response to bipartisan letters from both members of the House and the Senate, as well as a letter from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AO) has announced that they will be taking efforts to restore the removed court documents. According to an article available here from the Washington Post's The Switch blog, the AO hopes to restore access to the documents removed from the four appellate courts (2nd Circuit, 7th Circuit, 11th Circuit, and Federal Circuit) by the end of October.
As mentioned in our previous post, the Law Library does not maintain an account to PACER, but access to federal court dockets and documents is also available via Bloomberg Law, WestlawNext, and Lexis Advance. If you have any questions on how to access a particular case or case documents, please do not hesitate to ask one of the law librarians.
In response to bipartisan letters from both members of the House and the Senate, as well as a letter from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AO) has announced that they will be taking efforts to restore the removed court documents. According to an article available here from the Washington Post's The Switch blog, the AO hopes to restore access to the documents removed from the four appellate courts (2nd Circuit, 7th Circuit, 11th Circuit, and Federal Circuit) by the end of October.
As mentioned in our previous post, the Law Library does not maintain an account to PACER, but access to federal court dockets and documents is also available via Bloomberg Law, WestlawNext, and Lexis Advance. If you have any questions on how to access a particular case or case documents, please do not hesitate to ask one of the law librarians.
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