This week in the Law Library we’re looking at bar exam resources, reviewing basic legal research skills for summer, and celebrating Pride Month.
Bar Exam Study Resources
Congratulations! You have made it through law school but now the bar exam looms. Don’t worry, the Law Library’s got your back. When you’ve caught your breath and you’re ready to start your bar studying, we have resources that can help. Check out our Bar Exam Research Guide.
The July 2024 bar examination will be administered at the Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, Ohio July 30-31, 2024. The Holiday Inn Roberts Centre room block opens on May 14, 2024, at 11 am. Learn more at: Ohio Bar Exam
5 More Resources to Help You Study for the Bar Exam
The Bar Exam is not a sprint, it’s a marathon so pace yourself! Check out this week’s Bar Exam Resource highlights below.
Multiple-Choice Questions: Wrong Answer Pathology
Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This CALI Lesson teaches you how to select the right answer in a multiple-choice question by better understanding how to identify wrong answers, based on nine specific types of wrong answers. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
A Methodical Approach to Improve Multiple Choice Performance
Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This CALI Lesson teaches a methodical approach for all law school multiple choice questions. The step-by-step approach provides a framework to work through questions so students can more easily eliminate distractor answer choices. The lesson will thoroughly explore each step in this analytical approach. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
Assessing Your Own Work
Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. Throughout law school, students will be asked to assess their own essays by comparing them to a model or sample student answer provided by their professor. It can often be difficult to distinguish one’s work from the model. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish what a student knows, from what they wrote down. Experienced legal writers understand that subtle differentiation in language changes the meaning of what was written. This lesson will provide students with strategies for self-assessment, so that they can become critical judges of their work, and consequently precise legal writers. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
Metacognition
Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This lesson focuses upon the concept of metacognition and teaches you how to enhance your understanding about how you learn to better improve your study, organizational, test-taking and self-assessment skills with the goal of improving your performance in law school. The lesson should help you better understand your individual learning process and show you how to use this information to develop study and test-taking skills needed for success. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
Mechanics of Memorization
Although this CALI Lesson references law school exams, students studying for the bar exam will find it useful. This lesson provides memorization tools and techniques for exam success. First, the lesson demonstrates the relationship between memorization and exam success. Next, the lesson explains memorization tools and techniques. After you complete this lesson you will be able to apply tools and techniques and effectively memorize important legal concepts to be successful on your exams. If using CALI, you will need to create an account (if you have not already done so) using a Cincinnati Law authorization code. You can obtain this code from a reference librarian.
Summer Legal Research Tips
Previously, we looked at initial steps to take when you get a summer research project and looking at secondary sources. Start by identifying the resources available to you at your place of summer employment and ask questions. Develop a research plan. Read more about developing a research plan on our Research Strategy & Documentation guide. Then you may need to do background research about your issue before jumping into primary sources such as statutes and case law. A good secondary source can explain the law around your issue and cite you to primary sources. It can save you a lot of time and effort! Learn more about researching in secondary sources in our Researching Secondary Sources Guide or watch our videos on finding and searching within the various secondary source types.
This week we will begin taking a look at researching a statutory issue in an annotated code. Learn more about researching statutes in our Researching Statutes Guide or watch our videos on finding and searching within annotated codes.
Statutory Codes
A statutory code is a subject arrangement of the laws of a jurisdiction. There are official and unofficial codes. A code may be annotated (containing editorial enhancements to help with research or interpretation) or unannotated.
Why Use an Annotated Code?
An annotated code is a great research tool because it offers editorial enhancements to help with statutory interpretation. Useful annotated code editorial enhancements include (1) cross references to related statutes and regulations; (2) more detailed historical notes, secondary source references; (3) if it is a Thomson Reuters code you will get topic and key number references to help you find cases; and (3) the case annotations. The case annotations are summaries of judicial opinions that interpret that particular statutory section. Usually, these opinions are chosen by the editors because they add something new to the interpretation of the statute or they are precedent setting opinions. All of these editorial choices in the annotated codes are subjective, so your annotations and references are not going to be identical if you have annotated codes for a jurisdiction by different publishers.
Structure and Organization of Statutory Codes
The structure and organization of statutory codes will vary by jurisdiction. The United States Code, the subject arrangement of federal statutes, is arranged by subject into 54 subject titles (title 53 is in reserve and does not yet have a subject assigned to it), with chapter and section subdivisions. In Ohio, the statutes are broadly organized by titles and then further broken down by articles, chapters, and sections. For more information on Ohio codes, see the Ohio Legal Research Guide. Some states, such as California, Maryland, New York, and Texas, use subject words for their broader organization.
Where to Find U.S., Ohio, and Kentucky Codes
Federal
United States Code (U.S.C.) – the official unannotated code for federal statutes
Many libraries also have the United States Code in print.
Annotated Codes
United States Code Service – annotated code on Lexis
United States Code Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw
Ohio
Ohio Revised Code – the official unannotated code on the state website
Ohio Revised Code on Bloomberg Law
Page’s Ohio Revised Code Annotated – annotated code on Lexis
Baldwin’s Ohio Revised Code Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw
Kentucky
Kentucky Revised Statutes – unofficial, unannotated code on the state website
Michie’s Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated – annotated code on Lexis
Baldwin’s Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated – annotated code on Westlaw
Many libraries also have state codes in print.
June Is Pride Month!
About Pride Month
Pride Month is commemorated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. The Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar that police raided on Jun 28, 1969. The raid resulted in days of protest and the uprising is often cited as a catalyst for LGBTQ+ activism. Read President Biden’s 2024 Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month.
Learn more about Pride Month and LGBTQ+ issues by checking out the resources below!
Pride Month at University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a Premier Campus, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars in the Campus Pride Index, a national listing of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The index is an overall indicator of institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policy, program and practice. Additionally, in a recent national ranking the University has been ranked #52 among the top LGBTQ-friendliest colleges and universities.
UC Clermont, Frederick A. Marcotte Library Digital Display Pride Month
UCBA Library Pride Month Display
University of Cincinnati Alumni, Pride Month
UC Pride GrillOUT @ The Graduate
Thursday, June 20, 2024
4 – 7 p.m.
The Graduate Cincinnati
151 Goodman Drive
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Pride Parade
Register to march with members of the UC family at the Cincinnati Pride Parade on Saturday, June 2, 2024.
5 Resources to Learn More About LGBT+ Issues and History
Learn more about Pride Month and LGBTQ+ issues by checking out the resources below!
June ABA 21-Day LGBTQ+ Equity Habit Building Challenge ©
This Challenge is modeled after the “21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge©,” which was conceived several years ago by diversity expert Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. to advance deeper understandings of the intersections of race, power, privilege, supremacy, and oppression. The goal of the Challenge is to assist each of us to become more aware, compassionate, constructive, engaged people in the quest for equity, and specifically to learn more about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and many communities included under the “LGBTQ+ umbrella.” It transcends our roles as lawyers. Non-lawyers are also welcome to participate. The Challenge invites participants to complete a syllabus of 21 daily, short assignments (typically taking 15-30 minutes), over 21 consecutive days, that includes readings, videos, or podcasts. The assignments seek to expose participants to perspectives on elements of LGBTQ+ histories, identities, and cultures. This Challenges cannot possibly highlight all of the diversity of experiences and opinions within the LGBTQ+ community itself, much less substitute for learnings about any other community. This syllabus is but an introduction to what we hope will be a rewarding journey that extends far beyond the limits of this project.
ABA, LGBTQ+ Legal Trailblazers
Learn more about trailblazing LGBTQIA+ people – especially those in the legal profession – in US history. View short bios and see highlights of women recently honored by the various ABA Goal III Entities, including activists, judges, and other trailblazers.
ABA, Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence, LGBTQI+ Legal Access Project
Myths and biases against members of the LGBTQI+ community can lead to systemic discrimination. Law enforcement may not have resources for an LGBTQI+ victim who calls for assistance or prosecutors may be challenged in how to prove a criminal case against an LGBTQI+ perpetrator in a same-sex relationship before a jury. Family Courts may not have established protocols for all victims looking to file for a civil protective order. Legal service providers may need to develop intake infrastructures that are accessible for LGBTQI+ victims. These factors– among many others– prevent LGBTQI+ victims from seeking and obtaining protection under the law. The LGBTQI+ Legal Access Project provides individualized support, training, and technical assistance to address domestic and sexual violence in LGBTQI+ communities.
ABA, Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, LGBTQ+ Webinars
Visit the SOGI LGBT Webinar page to watch videos of past programs, which include Combating LGBT Implicit Bias in the Legal Profession, Title VII US Supreme Court Decision, Sexual Orientation: The Legal Case for Coverage Under Title VII and more.
National LGBTQ+ Bar, Best Practices Guide (PDF)
Updated in April 2022, this serves as a resource to assist law schools in their efforts to foster a safe, welcoming community free from discrimination.