Schools Gaming the Reporting of US News Employment Data?

On his Agoraphilia blog (3/26/2007), Tom W.
Bell (Chapman) suggests that some law schools
are "gaming" their reporting of employment
data for the U.S. News & World Report
rankings. According to Bell, law schools benefit
in the rankings from classifying gradates as "un-
employed and not seeking work" instead of
"unemployed and studying for the Bar full-time."
Using data in the 2007 ABA-LSAC Official Guide
to ABA-Approved Law Schools, Bell goes on
to identify law schools that demonstrate possible
discrepancies in reporting (although he draws no
conclusions).

This Week on Lawyer2Lawyer: Lawyer2Lawyer: Misconceptions about E-Discovery

On this week's Lawyer2Lawyer podcast, Robert
Ambrogi "will consider some of the more striking
misconceptions lawyers have come to believe about
e-discovery." Joining Ambrogi for the program are
Stephen D. Whetstone, a former litigation attorney
and now VP of client development & strategy for the
e-discovery company Stratify, and Craig Ball,
an attorney and internationally known e-discovery
and computer forensics consultant.

New on SSRN: Social and Environmental Impact Network (SEIN)

Announcement from Michael C. Jensen at SSRN:

The Social Science Research Network has announced
the creation of the Social and Environmental Impact
Network (SEIN). SEIN is sponsored by the Aspen
Institute Business and Society Program's CasePlace.org,
http://www.CasePlace.org, a practical on-line tool for
business students, educators and practitioners. SEIN
will provide an online community for research and teaching
materials (class notes, sample exams, handouts), across
all academic disciplines, related to managing the social
and environmental impacts of business. SEIN will also
be a central location to learn about conferences, events,
and job opportunities in related areas.

For more information on becoming a content partner,
or to offer any feedback, please contact sein@aspeninstitute.org.

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Database

The U.S. Supreme Court Justices Database at
Northwestern University School of Law, (funded
by the National Science Foundation, Law and Social
Science Program) is a "multi-user, public database
containing a wealth of information on individuals
nominated (whether confirmed or not) to the U.S.
Supreme Court (John Jay-Samuel A. Alito, Jr).
Specifically, the database houses 263 variables,
falling roughly into five categories: identifiers,
background characteristics and personal attributes,
nomination and confirmation, service on the Court,
and departures from the bench."

Hat tip to the Law Librarian Blog (3/29/2007).

"Cool Tools" Web Site

Kevin Kelley's Cool Tools web site describes books,
gadgets, software, videos, maps, hardware, materials,
and web sites that the author thinks are "extraordinary,
better than similar products, little-known, and reliably
useful for an individual or small group."

This nifty site is organized by broad subject categories, such
as "computers," "learning," and "media tools." Examples
of some truly cool tools are: a folding Bluetooth wireless mouse
that you store in a free PC slot; Polysheet instant whiteboards
to use in class or for presentations; and, Gorilla Tape (extra
sticky duct tape).

Kevin includes pricing information and links to suppliers.

Litilaw: Free Legal Articles for Litigators

Litilaw, a web resource for lawyers operated by Lexbe.com,
provides access to hundreds of articles written by lawyers for
CLE programs or for publication in legal periodicals.

The site emphasizes articles of interest to litigators. Articles
are organized under more than 30 substantive and procedural
categories. Researchers can search the full text of articles or
browse by category or latest additions. Full articles are available
from the original provider in PDF format; Litilaw gives a
summary of each article.

Hat tip to LawSites.

International Association of Penal Law Blog

The International Association of Penal Law
Blog "serves as a discussion site for all things
law, with a focus upon criminal law, comparative
criminal justice, international criminal law, inter-
national humanitarian law, war crimes, international
criminal tribunals, human rights and counter-
terrorism law & policy." Syracuse University College
of Law Professor of Practice David Crane is among
the blog's contributing scholars.

Recent posts include:

The Poor Coverage of Military Commissions
Interesting Political Ripple Effects of ICJ Genocide Ruling…
ICC Prosecutor Says Bush, Blair Could Face War Crimes Investigation

Above the Law: A Legal Tabloid

Above the Law: A Legal Tabloid is a new kind of legal
blog that examines the humorous and sometimes seamy
side of the legal profession. From Eminem's and
Noami Campbell's legal troubles to Justice Breyer's
quiz show woes, Above the Law will keep you coming
back for more.

"Executive Privilege: A Primer"

In view of recent conflicts between the President and
Congress, Cass Sunstein has posted a succinct outline
on existing law of executive privilege on the University
of Chicago Law School Faculty Blog (3/26/2007).

"PCs and CALR: Changing the Way Lawyers Think"

How have computers and legal databases affected
the way law students analyze and perform legal
research?

Elizabeth M. McKenzie (Professor of Law and
Director of Suffolk Law Library) and Susan Vaughn
(Suffolk Law Library Reference Librarian) tackle
this issue in a thought-provoking SSRN article,
PCs and CALR: Changing the Way Lawyers Think.

The authors measured differences in analogical reasoning
in briefs and decisions written before computers were
used in law, and now. They argue that the changes found
mandate changes in legal education and that students
need more emphasis on careful reading and analysis.

British and Irish Legal Information Institute Launches New Web Site

The beSpacific blog (3/21/2007) reports that
the British and Irish Legal Information Institute
has launched a new web site. The new site
includes the following features:

Case Law Search Form
Legislation Search Form
Other Materials Search Form (law commission reports)
A-Z title browse lists
Leading Cases Lists (search results can be sorted by date,
title, jurisdiction or relevance)

50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome - EUROPA Web Site

The official European Union web site has created
a page to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
Treaty of Rome. The 1957 treaty established the
European Economic Community (EEC), now the
European Union (EU).

The site features background information and statistics,
a calendar of global events marking the anniversary, and
a collection of publications, videos, posters/postcards,
and images commemorating the year.

Faculty who address European Union law in their courses
will want to browse this site.

Hat tip to the Librarians' Internet Index (3/22/2007).

New Research Guides from GlobaLex

New international, comparative and foreign legal
research guides on GlobaLex , the electronic legal
publication from the Hauser Global Law School
Program at NYU School of Law:

Global Warming: A Comparative Guide to the E.U.
and the U.S. and Their Approaches to the U.N.
Framework Convention on Climate Change and
the Kyoto Protocol (Deborah Paulus-Paulus-Jagrič)

International Human Rights Research Guide (Grace M. Mills)

Guide to Legal Research in Nicaragua (Magda Violeta Blandino)

A Brief Guide to Select Databases for Spanish-Speaking
Jurisdictions (Dennis Kim-Prieto)

Poverty Law Blog - New on Law Profs Blog Network

The Poverty Law Blog is a new addition to the
Law Professors Blog Network. The blog is
hosted by Ezra Rosser, Assistant Professor
of Law at Washington College of Law- American
University and Lowell Kent Hull, Adjunct Associate
Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School.

Recent submissions include:

N.Y. Times Housing Comparison & Overcrowded Housing Images
Poverty Law Journals Online
Poverty Law Readings and Textbooks

Documents - Firing of U.S. Attorneys

The beSpacific blog (3/19/2007) provides
links to documents from the U.S. Department of
Justice and the House Judiciary Committee
relating to the committee's investigation of
the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

National Center for Children Exposed to Violence

The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence
was established in 1999 at the Yale Child Study Center
by the U.S. Department of Justice. It's mission "is to
increase the capacity of individuals and communities
to reduce the incidence and impact of violence on children
and families; to train and support the professionals who
provide intervention and treatment to children and
families affected by violence; and to increase professional
and public awareness of the effects of violence on children,
families, communities, and society."

Source: March 19 issue of Cornell Law Library's InSite
current awareness newsletter.

Stateline.org Tracks State Politics and Legislation

Stateline.org is a daily news publication funded
by The Pew Charitable Trusts that focuses on
current developments in state politics and
legislation. Stories cover state campaigns,
elections, and legislation as well as national issues
affecting state governments.

In addition to access directly through the
Stateline.org web site, LexisNexis subscribers
now have searchable access to Stateline.org news
stories dating from January, 1999. To access,
search "Stateline.org" under the LexisNexis
"Find A Source" tab or use the following
breadcrumb trail in the online directory:
News & Business > Market & Industry > By
Industry & Topic > Government & Politics >
Legislative News> Stateline.org.

Hearing on Exposure of Covert CIA Operative Valerie Plame - Documents and Related Resources

The beSpacific blog (3/16/2007) has links
to relevant documents and related resources
on the House Oversight Committee's hearing
to determine if White House officials followed
appropriate procedures for safeguarding the
identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson.

Practical Tips for Tracking Changes in MS Word

In Law Practice Today (March 2007), Tom Mighell
and Dennis Kennedy assist MS Word users in making
the most of the "Track Changes" feature. According
to their article, Staying on Track with Track Changes,
the authors "take a look at Internet resources that
may help get you up to speed on this now-standard
legal tool, so you can better protect your documents
and manage today's collaborative document preparation
process."

Transcripts in Combatant Status Review Tribunals Released

The Law Librarian Blog (3/15/2007) links to
transcripts in last week's Combatant Status
Review Tribunal hearings for Khalid Sheikh
Mohammed, Abu Faraj al-Libi and Ramzi Bin
al-Shibh.

FBI Releases 2006 "Financial Crimes Report to the Public"

On March 7, 2007, the FBI announced the release
of its 2006 Financial Crimes Report to the Public.
The report, prepared annually by the FBI's Criminal
Investigative Division, details the most prevalent
types of schemes investigators tackled over a 12-
month period ending September 30, 2006. It explains
dozens of fraud schemes, tallies FBI accomplishments
combating the crimes, and offers tips the public can use
to protect itself. Topics addressed include corporate
fraud, securities fraud, health care fraud, mortgage
fraud, and insurance fraud.

Grants Program for China Rule-of-Law Projects

The Law Librarian blog (3/9/2007) reports that
the U.S.-China Legal Cooperation Fund is inviting
proposals seeking grants to fund projects promoting
rule of law in China conducted jointly by American and
Chinese institutional participants.

This Fund is a program of the China Business Forum, the
education and research arm of the US-China Business
Council. The Spring 2007 period for submission of
proposals closes March 30, 2007.

Detailed grant information may be found at the U.S.-China
Legal Cooperation Fund web site.

Lawyer2Lawyer Podcast: "Here Come the Judges"

This week on Lawyer2Lawyer, co-hosts Robert
Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams welcome three
judges who discuss, among other things, how life
has changed since law practice and their views on
the lawyers who appear before them.

Appearing this week are Justice William W. Bedsworth,
associate justice for the California Fourth District Court
of Appeal, William F. Dressel, president of the National
Judicial College in Reno, Nev., and former judge in
Colorado's 8th Judicial District, and Judge Steven Leben,
president of the American Judges Association and a
District Court judge in Johnson County, Kansas.

National War Powers Commission

The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of
Virginia has formed the National War Powers Commission,
a private bipartisan panel led by former Secretaries of State
James A. Baker, III and Warren Christopher. The Commission
will examine how the Constitution allocates the powers of
beginning, conducting, and ending war.

The Center web site states that the "Commission's
work and deliberations will entail an analysis of various
legal issues, as well as historical and practical considerations.
The Commission intends to rely on existing scholarship, the
wide experience among its members, and the counsel of other
experts. Commission members hope their report will make a
positive contribution to the public debate on the proper exercise
of war powers; educate the public about these crucially important
issues; and promote greater agreement and more productive
working relationships among the branches of government."

Hat tip to the Law Librarian Blog.

New Research Guides & Features on LLRX

New research guides and features on
LLRX this month include:

Guide to State and Federal Legislative Research
(Sabrina I. Pacifici)

Seven Legal Technology Trends for 2007
(Dennis Kennedy)

FOIA Facts: Making Effective FOIA Requests - Part II
(Scott A. Hodes)

Researching Native American Legal Issues
(Jan Bissett and Margi Heinen)

For a complete list, see the Law Librarian Blog
(March 7, 2007).

2006 State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

In a press release yesterday, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice announced the publication of
the 2006 Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices. The reports are submitted annually
to Congress by the Department of State in compliance
with Sections 116(d) and 502B(b) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (FAA), as amended.

Reports are organized on the web site by region,
then country. There is also an archive of past
country reports for the years 1999 - 2005.

Hat tip to JURIST.

"Open Congress" Tracks Legislative Information

From Robert Ambrogi's LawSites (3/6/2007):

Open Congress, a joint project of the Sunlight Foundation
and the Participatory Politics Foundation, allows you to
track legislative information as well as news reports,
blog posts, campaign contribution information, and other
sources. You can use the site to track a bill, a member of
Congress, a specific issue or to follow the latest develop-
ments on Capitol Hill.

The following sources are tracked by Open Congress:

Thomas (Library of Congress).
News articles about Congress from Google News.
Blog posts about Congress from Technorati and Google Blog Search.
Campaign contribution information from OpenSecrets.org.

National Women's History Month Resources

March is National Women's History Month.

The Library of Congress has developed a collection of
resources for National Women's History Month, with
a 2007 theme of "Generations of Women Moving
History Forward." The site features items from the
library's online collections (organized by topic), images,
audio and video files, biographical sketches of
prominent women, and links to related resources.

The National Women's History Project (NWHP) is celebrating
the month with a series of events, honorees, and promotional
materials on the same theme. You can also test your
knowledge of women's history on the NWHP web site.

Also highlighting the month is the National Women's
History Museum. The museum's web site offers lesson
plans, biographies, quizzes and quotes, "cyber exhibits"
and walking tours (with online guides) to women's
history sites.

The USINFO (U.S. Department of State) is commemorating
the month with links to a list of web articles celebrating
women's rights and achievements.

New Web Resources Reviewed

The Cornell Law Library InSite current awareness
newsletter reviews the following web resources
in its March 5, 2007 issue:

Cyberlaw Crime
Environmental Law Net
NACA: National Association of Consumer Advocates
NCAI: National Congress of American Indians
Religion & the Law

New Blog Focuses on Women in International Law & Policy

The IntLawGrrls blog offers unique commentary on
women's voices in international law, policy and practice.
Contributors are primarily female law professors from
U.S. law schools.

Some of the issues the blog has addressed in recent
weeks include, Women and War Powers, Women
in Parliaments, and Imprisonment of Immigrant
Families.

NEW! Journal of Comparative Law

The Journal of Comparative Law is a new journal
published by Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing
for the Association of Comparative Legal Studies (ACLS).
The journal aims to "provide a scholarly resource for
the field of comparative legal studies in a broad sense.
In order to achieve this aim, it publishes articles on all
aspects of comparative law, in all geographical areas of
the world, and encourages analytical (rather than
purely descriptive) work with a contextual, theoretical
and interdisciplinary approach. Due weight is given to
the practical aspects of comparative legal studies in a
globalised world."

The Barclay Law Library has received the first two
issues in print. The Table of Contents for these
issues and a selection of content from the
first issue may be found on the journal's web site.

Podcast on Current Issues in Family Law

This week on Lawyer2Lawyer, Robert Ambrogi and
J. Craig Williams are co-hosting a podcast on
current issues in family law.

Joining the hosts to discuss issues such as
gay marriage and grandparent visitation are
Sherri Donovan, principal of the law firm
Sherri Donovan & Associates and author of the
recently published book, Hit Him Where It Hurts:
The Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Divorce, Alimony,
Custody, Child Support, and More, and Daniel
E. Clement, principal in the Law Offices of Daniel E.
Clement and author of the New York Divorce Report).

Dred Scott Sesquicentennial: The Dred Scott Decision 1857-2007

This site from the National Park Service offers background
information and a listing of events commemorating the
150-year anniversary of the Dred Scott Supreme Court
decision. Included is a chronology of the case, details about
the trials and courtroom, and links to related sites.

Hat tip to the Librarians' Internet Index (3/1/2007).