This week in the Law Library we’re teaching Advanced Legal Research, teaching first year students about low cost and free legal research, and celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month.
This Week’s Research Sessions
Monday, April 1, 2024
Advanced Legal Research Criminal Law
Associate Dean Michael Whiteman and Instructional & Reference Services Librarian Ashley Russell
Room 107
2:00pm – 2:55pm
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Advanced Legal Research Civil Litigation
Associate Director Susan Boland & Instructional & Reference Services Librarian Laura Dixon-Caldwell
Room 135
2:00pm – 2:55pm
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Advocacy, Lawyering II, Cohort 4
Electronic Resources Instructional Services Librarian Ron Jones
Room 245
10:40am – 12:05pm
Low Cost and Free Legal Research
Advanced Legal Research Ohio
Electronic Resources Instructional Services Librarian Ron Jones
Room 107
2:00pm – 2:55pm
Featured Study Aids
Successfully Competing in US Moot Court Competitions
Available via the West Academic study aid subscription, this study is designed to help students prepare for team selection competitions as well as those who will be competing at U.S. moot court competitions. It includes advice on a range of issues – from selecting a partner to keeping the competition in perspective after it is over. It includes advice based on interviews with successful moot court coaches from several law schools.
Mastering Appellate Advocacy and Process
Available via the LexisNexis Digital Library study aid subscription, this book covers the range of appellate procedures in use across the United States, from preserving error below and on appeal, filing the notice of appeal, compiling the record, as well as appealable orders and judgments, proper parties on appeal, and appellate jurisdiction. The book also covers legal analysis, drafting, and advocacy techniques used in preparing appellate briefs, as well as oral advocacy techniques in a discussion that is useful to novices and old hands. Written for practicing lawyers as well as students, the book also includes a chapter devoted to that particular law school exercise known as moot court, identifying how typical moot court competitions are like, and unlike, real world appellate practice. The authors delve into technical waters while maintaining an accessible tone and structure, taking nothing for granted in terms of pre-existing knowledge or experience in the appellate field.
Finding Your Voice in Law School
Available via the LexisNexis Digital Library study aid subscription, this text offers a step-by-step guide to the most difficult tests you will confront as a law student, from making a speech in front of a room full of lawyers to arguing before a judge and jury. From preparing effectively for class, to succeeding in mock trial and moot court, to making persuasive presentations, to shining at job interviews, Finding Your provides step-by-step guidance on how to be a better speaker (and, in turn, a better student) in a whole range of contexts.
Featured Guide
Oral Advocacy
This guide describes resources that can help you for Moot Court, Appellate Advocacy, and other activities and groups on oral advocacy.
Featured Treatise
Art of Advocacy – Appeals
Available on Lexis, this text contains step-by-step practical analysis of written and oral arguments, with expert advice on preparation and presentation. Included are sample written briefs and oral arguments in products liability cases, medical malpractice cases, and wrongful death actions. Arguments are compared, do’s and don’ts are highlighted, and checklists are provided.
Featured Video
Art of Appellate Advocacy: Tips for Oral Arguments
Judges from the Virginia Supreme Court discuss oral arguments.
Featured Website
Court Listener Advanced Oral Argument Search
The oral argument audio in CourtListener has been collected from court websites by Free Law Project, a non-profit devoted to high-quality legal data. They began collecting these oral arguments after hearing that many courts were simply deleting them, claiming that they were too expensive to keep. They collect oral argument audio from the Supreme Court and all of the Federal Circuit courts that provide it. On the state side, they are slowly adding support for additional courts.
Oral Argument Help
As you get ready for oral arguments in your Advocacy class, be sure and check out the resources on our Oral Advocacy Guide, in our Oral Advocacy display, and in our previous featured resources!
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) and celebrates the heritage, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. Immigrants with origins from the Arab world have been arriving to the United States since before our country’s independence and have contributed to our nation’s advancements in science, business, technology, foreign policy, and national security. The Arab American Foundation and Arab America initiated the National Arab American Heritage Month in 2017. States and other organizations began recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month and last year President Biden issued an official proclamation. This year’s proclamation reminds us of that the “legacy of courage, resilience, and service lives on today in Arab Americans across our country” and that as “we come together this month to honor these contributions, we must also pause to reflect on the pain being felt by so many in the Arab American community with the war in Gaza.”
The Arab American Institute estimates there are 3.7 million Arab Americans. Arab Americans are found in every state, but “[n]early 75% of all Arab Americans live in just twelve states: California, Michigan, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania …”