September 4 marks the first day of Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. President Donald Trump nominated the D.C. Circuit Court judge to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Check out the SCOTUSblog for live blogging of the hearing. For articles, books, congressional materials, and web resources by and about the Supreme Court nominee, visit the Law Library of Congress’ Brett M. Kavanaugh page. To track the public statements made by United States senators about how they plan to vote, visit SCOTUS Watch.
Does your phone or laptop need a charge? Stop by the Library’s Circulation Desk and the juice is on us; no charge to charge – it’s free! Charging is limited to 30 minutes if another student needs the charger too. Otherwise, you can fill ‘er up.
Have you submitted your Legally Clueless Info Hunt entry? The drawing take place on Thursday August 23 at 5:45 pm, just outside the Library. We plan to award lots of prizes, including OneCards (with pre-loaded cash values), First Year course study aids, books, NYLS swag, and who knows what else!
The lime colored entry form is in the blue folder you received and worked on during your First Week Finding the Law class. If you need another copy, you can pick one up at the Reference Desk. Spend a few minutes learning more about research and the library’s resources. You don’t even need to get the right answers, and you should always feel free to ask one of the reference librarians for help.
Good luck to all!
On behalf of the Mendik Library, I want to extend my welcome to the Class of 2021-22. We are all looking forward to meeting you as you embark on this challenging and exciting journey.
We have worked hard to make your library a comfortable study and learning environment. The Mendik Library is a vibrant and dynamic information and research center. You can be assured that you are getting the benefit of an outstanding collection of information and technology resources, an extensive offering of services, and an excellent and dedicated library staff.
We describe our resources and services in great detail on our web pages and handouts. What you might not realize from these publications is the outstanding quality of the Mendik Library Staff and why that is important to you. Our staff includes ten professionals with master’s degrees, six of whom also have J.D. degrees from law schools around the country. They have been where you are going. Your librarians have many years of experience working in law libraries and teaching legal research. Many also have years of legal practice experience. They can help you with your library and research needs, of course, but their value to you goes far beyond that. Do not hesitate to ask us questions about the law school, particular courses, or any of the extracurricular activities available. We can help you, or we will direct you to the best person to give you the help you need.
Law school is a new experience for each of you, and we are committed to making that experience a rewarding one. We welcome the opportunity to work with you throughout your law school career and thereafter as alumni.
Welcome! We hope the library will quickly become your second home.
Sincerely,
Professor Camille Broussard
Library Director & Associate Dean
On Monday, July 9, 2018, President Donald Trump nominated Brett M. Kavanaugh of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy on the United States Supreme Court. This nomination has given President Trump his second nomination in his first two years in office. Many legal observers opine that this might be one of the most crucial nominations to the Court and could portend a fundamental shift in the court. The resources below will help you learn more about Judge Kavanaugh and the Senate confirmation process.
Law Library of Congress: Resources: Brett M. Kavanaugh
Summary: Articles, books, congressional materials, and web resources by and about the Supreme Court nominee.
SCOTUSblog: Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh
Summary: SCOTUSblog provides comprehensive Supreme Court coverage and commentary.
SCOTUS Watch
Excerpt: SCOTUS Watch tracks the public statements made by United States senators about how they plan to vote on the Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, and tallies them into a likely vote count.
The Challenge is On!
Join us next Wednesday June 6 (and on any or all of the following Wednesdays through June 27), for the Mendik Library’s 2018 Summer Research Challenge! Hone your research skills with real issues you’ll encounter in practice and have some fun at the same time. Get all the details here and follow this link to register.
Remember to take a look at the Library’s Exam Preparation Resources guide. It will link you to sample and practice exams available on the NYLS portal, advice from professors and law students (including videos), and many other useful resources. Give it a try!
If you are graduating this year and you owe any library fines, here’s a chance to save some money and do some good. For every can or unopened package of food (no glass!) you donate at the Circulation Desk, the Library will reduce the amount you owe by $2.00. So, for example, if you owe $10 in fines, bringing five cans of food would reduce your fine balance to zero! You can’t beat a deal like that.
Donations must be made prior to May 30, 2018. Note: this offer does not apply to fines for lost or damaged materials. We donate all food collected to the Salvation Army.
Each year on May 1st, the United States celebrates Law Day. First designated in 1958 by President Eisenhower, Law Day celebrates the rule of law and its contributions to Americans’ many freedoms. This year’s theme is Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom.
The Law Library of Congress has a Law Day Research Guide, with links to legislative and executive documents as well as books, journal articles and speech transcripts. Additional information on Law Day and materials relating to this year’s theme are on the ABA’s Law Day web page.
#LawDay
The theme for this year’s observance is Framework for Freedom. Additional information on Law Day and many downloadable resources relating to Miranda can be found on the ABA’s Law Day web page.
Among the most important skills all lawyers rely upon ins the ability to do legal research– to find what’s needed to interpret and analyze legal issues. It’s an integral part of the “competencies” that NYLS and the ABA require of law students. Effective research skills are vital to students engaged in any type of legal writing, to those who are clerking or participating in externships, and to those entering legal practice.
To help prepare you for the realities of law practice, we offer a number of courses that will make you a more efficient, confident and successful researcher.
Legal Research: Practical Skills (1 credit)
Builds on fundamental research skills through refining students’ techniques, introducing shortcuts and new approaches, and developing effective strategies. The course focuses on finding legislation, administrative materials, and related cases; using the secondary sources relied on by practitioners; attaining greater proficiency and comfort with Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg BNA, and other online research tools, including reliable free and low-cost sources. We also offer this class with a focus on a particular substantive practice area, including Corporate & Business Law; Criminal Law; Family Law; Foreign and International Law; Intellectual Property Law; Labor and Employment Law; and Real Estate Law.
Legal Research: Skills for the Digital World (3 credits)
Continues to build on the fundamentals described in Legal Research: Practical Skills. Students concentrate on more advanced techniques and strategies and learn to evaluate online and print materials in order to choose the best and most cost effective source for projects. Some assignments are geared to students’ individual subject interests. Take-home assignments test and enhance students’ ability to perform various research tasks and strengthen their understanding of important research process and strategy consideration.
Want more information? Contact Associate Dean and Professor Camille Broussard or Professor Michael Roffer.
