It's Wednesday

I know it is only 8:30 p.m. but hang in there sleepyheads. Only 5 more weeks until finals!

Rogue Lawyer

Image courtesy amazon.com

If you're itching for a fictional law read, John Grisham's latest novel, Rogue Lawyer, just hit shelves. Its mixed reviews may leave you feeling mixed about reading it but, from a "glass half-full" perspective, the chances of enjoying it are at least 50%. And  you'll never have to wonder, "I wonder if that book is any good?"

P.S. We only have one J. Grisham novel - The Street Lawyer - in the whole entire Law Library, so you won't find it here. But, it does not mean it isn't available through our library. Stop by circulation and we can see about borrowing it from another library, or even purchasing a copy for our own library!

P.P.S. If you're not interested in this book, but would like to read a different title, the same still applies: stop by and talk to your librarians about the books you want to read.

A "Back to the Future Day" Miracle

It's probably not news to any nerds, ahem, I mean pop-culture aficionados, that today is "Back to the Future Day." But! Did you know that the lawsuit between the DeLorean Estate and the DeLorean Motor Company reached a settlement just in time for the festivities?

In 2014 Sally DeLorean sued DeLorean Motor Company for illegally using the DeLorean name to sell products. But finally, on "Back to the Future Day" eve, parties reached an agreement. Truly, this is more than sheer serendipity. . . even if they claim it's just coincidence.

Read more here.

Lavender Lecture and LGBT History Month

On Monday, October 19, at 5:30 p.m., the USD Law OUTlaws and the USD Law Veterans Legal Education Group (VLEG) are co-sponsoring this year's Lavender Lecture.  The Lavender Lecture will feature Attorney Bridget Wilson, who will discuss the implementation of the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT), subsequent events affecting LGBT service members and the anticipated demise of the prohibitions on trans service.

The Law Library has prepared a LibGuide to accompany the lecture, which includes Bridget Wilson's publications, links to legislative materials, and suggestions for further reading on the lecture topic.  The LibGuide is available here.

In light of October as LGBT History Month, the Law Library is also featuring a display on the main floor of the Law Library, which offers many resources on Sexual Orientation and the Law.

Today is Native Americans' Day

The Law Library is featuring a display for Native Americans' Day on the main floor of the Law Library.  In case you missed it, the items will remain on display on the shelves of our Native American and Indigenous Peoples Collection through the end of October. 

Law Library Hours: Oct. 10 - Oct. 12 (Native Americans' Day)

The McKusick Law Library will be closed to the public on Monday, October 12 for Native Americans' Day.  There will not be any Circulation/Reference service hours to USD law students on Sunday, October 11 or Monday, October 12.  Law students will continue to have 24/7 access to the Law Library throughout the weekend using their University ID cards.

The Law Library will reopen to the public on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:45 a.m.

Feral Poultry Law

Farm Street Chicken Sanctuary via 365bastrop.com

Beloved roosters and chickens, descendants from long abandoned farms, have found a literal sanctuary in Bastrop, Texas. However, if you are a pigeon, English sparrow, European starling, grackle, ravens, red-winged blackbird, blackbird, cowbird, feral rock dove, or crow, you're fair game. (See City Ordinance Sec. 2.01.007)

For a slew of bad chicken jokes and puns, read the article here.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Law Library is currently featuring a special display on our main level for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in coordination with the USD Law Domestic Violence Legal Project (DVLP).

DVLP is hosting a fundraising event near the display from October 1st through October 14th. There are four donation boxes, one each for Professor Thatcher, Professor Pommersheim, Professor Kammer, and Professor McKey.  Whichever professor receives the most donations will either: A) wear a pair of high heels during their class or B) complete a walking “tour” around the law school with high heels on. The money raised will be going toward the purchasing of food for the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, put on by Safe Options Services, on October 14 at Prentis Park.  If funds are raised in excess of the cost of food, they will go directly to the Safe Options Services Shelter.

As part of the fundraiser/display, DVLP is also offering information about Safe Options Services, as well as featuring two of the Silent Witness silhouettes, which represent women who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

The Law Library is offering many of our resources relating to domestic violence, many of which are featured on our Domestic Violence LibGuide. 

October in the Law Library

South Dakota Supreme Court to Hold Session at Law School Oct. 5-7

The USD Law School welcomes the South Dakota Supreme Court, which will be holding session at the Law School, Monday October 5 through Wednesday October 7.

Briefs filed by the parties for each of the cases being heard are available via the UJS website on the Court’s Current Term Calendar at: http://ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/currentterm.aspx.

The Current Term Calendar also provides information on the specific dates and times the cases are being heard. The case schedule is also available at http://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/sc/CaseSummariesOctober_2015.pdf, along with case summaries, information about courtroom protocol, and information about the Supreme Court process.

One print copy of the filed briefs is available in the Law Library Reserve Room. We are also featuring a display on the main floor of the Law Library that includes the case schedule, case summaries, profiles of each of the justices, and other information relevant to the Supreme Court session.