Need some advice for coping with law school and studying for finals? Here are some books in the Law Library collection that are worth checking out:

CONQUERING LEGAL EXAMS: THE ART OF PREPARING FOR AND WRITING OUTSTANDING LEGAL EXAMS by David R. Simon (1994). KF/283/.S65/Reserve. Short book on preparing for and taking final exams. Latter third of book provides sample exam questions, an outline of applicable law and a model answer.

THE COMPLETE LAW SCHOOL COMPANION: HOW TO EXCEL AT AMERICA'S MOST DEMANDING POST-GRADUATE CURRICULUM, 2nd ed., by Jeff Deaver (1992). KF283/.D4/1992/Reserve. While the first few chapters are for those who are contemplating attending law school, the bulk of this work provides advice to entering law students. Chapters include "Daily Survival in the Classroom," "How to Brief Cases," "The Course Outline," "Preparing for Exams," "Taking Exams," "Sample Exams," and "Writing a Course Paper."

THE EIGHT SECRETS OF TOP EXAM PERFORMANCE IN LAW SCHOOL: AN EASY-TO-USE, STEP-BY-STEP PROGRAM FOR ACHIEVING GREAT GRADES! by Charles H. Whitebread (1995). KF/283/.W48/1995/Reserve. A short, easily read book telling how to outline and organize exam answers, use your exam time and spot issues. The appendix provides sample questions and model answers for first year subjects.

FIRST YEAR LAW SCHOOL SURVIVAL KIT by Jeff Adachi (1996). KF283/.A32/Reserve. Author, after initially giving brief descriptions of first year class subjects, provides an easily read chapter on preparing for class. The largest section of the book is devoted to giving advice on how to write essay answers for specific first year subjects (i.e., "How to Answer a Torts Problem"). "The Problem Solving Approaches" found in the latter fourth of the book provide short outlines of concepts for the first year class subjects.

FROM HERE TO ATTORNEY: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO EXCELLING IN LAW SCHOOL AND LAUNCHING YOUR LEGAL CAREER by Robert Arnett II, Arthur Coon and Michael DiGeronimo (1994). KF/272/.A76/Reserve. This book contains sections dealing with getting into law school and finding legal employment, but also has chapters discussing the use of study aids, taking final exams and the significance of being a member of a law review. Appendices include sample course outlines, a sample formal brief, a class flowchart and sample exams with answers.

GETTING TO MAYBE: HOW TO EXCEL ON LAW SCHOOL EXAMS by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul (1999). KF283/.F47/Reserve. Authors try to "tackle the exam process by breaking it down into discrete analytical components." Two-thirds of this book provides an in-depth discussion of how to analyze issues and think like a lawyer. Latter third of the book includes chapters on preparing for and writing law exam answers along with a good FAQ chapter and some sample first year subject exam questions and model answers.

HOW TO DO YOUR BEST ON LAW SCHOOL EXAMS by John Delaney (1988). KF283/.D44/1988/Reserve. While this book is certainly not an easy read, it does provide extensive analysis on how to outline for your classes, identify issues, and write exam answers. Also includes sample exam problems and good and bad answers to these problems.

HOW TO MAKE IT THROUGH LAW SCHOOL: A GUIDE FOR MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS by J.P. Davis (1982). KF283/.D38/ Reserve. Author writes brief chapters on issues such as dealing with first-year law school trauma, teaching methods, study groups, briefing cases, legal reasoning, and preparing for and taking exams.

HOW TO STUDY LAW AND TAKE LAW EXAMS IN A NUTSHELL by Ann M. Burkhart and Robert A. Stein (1996). KF283/.B87/Reserve. Some of the more valuable chapters describe types of materials found in the Law Library, methods for preparing for class, outlining, study aids, how to prepare for and take the exam. The final third of the book provides exam questions for first year subjects and model answers.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN LAW SCHOOL by Gary A. Munneke (1989). KF283/.M86/Reserve. Author provides an invaluable perspective in chapters 2 and 5 entitled "Understanding the Law School Experience" and "Avoiding the Pitfalls of Law School," respectively. Other chapters well worth the reader's time are "Studying the Law" and "Taking Exams."

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF LAW IN A NUTSHELL, 3rd ed. by Kenney Hegland (1995). KF273/.H4/2000/Reserve. The more valuable chapters in this book for freshmen include "Reading Cases," "Briefing Cases," "General Study Tips," "More Stuff on Taking Exams," "Fear and Loathing in the First Year," "Mechanics of the Oral Argument," "Legal Research," "Legal Writing,"and several chapters providing an introduction to the litigation process.

LAW SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE: BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS by Robert H. Miller (2000). KF/283/.M55/Reserve. This is probably one of the better books giving advice on how to handle law school life. This is not a book discussing the technical aspects of writing or preparing for exams; rather, it is more like a best friend's discussion on how to get through law school and also find clerking jobs.

LEARNING LAW: THE MASTERY OF LEGAL LOGIC by Sheldon Margulies and Kenneth Lasson (1993). KF/273/.M37/Reserve. Authors' purpose is to explain basic legal principles to entering freshmen law students, with most examples centering on the subject of torts.

LEARNING THE LAW: SUCCESS IN LAW SCHOOL AND BEYOND by Steven J. Frank (1992). KF283/.F73/Reserve. Chapter 1 provides a good introduction to the structure of U.S. legal institutions. Chapters 2 through 5 introduce the reader to different aspects of legal reasoning; pretty in-depth reading, however. Chapter 7 provides some specific, though dated, recommendations on commercial study aids for the law student.

SLAYING THE LAW SCHOOL DRAGON: HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN FIRST YEAR LAW SCHOOL, 2nd ed. by George Roth (1991). KF283/.R68/1991/Reserve. Chapters include "How to Prepare for the Semester," "How to Study for Class," "How to Read a Case," "How to Study for Exams," "How to Answer Exam Questions," and "How to Write a Brief." The book also gives a quick review on the first year class subjects.

STARTING OFF RIGHT IN LAW SCHOOL by Carolyn J. Nygren (1997). KF/273/.N97/Reserve. Author states that her purpose in writing the book was twofold: to provide a very basic understanding of the legal system and to describe techniques of studying and exam preparation which can prove successful. The book is fairly short and is easily read.

SUCCESS IN LAW SCHOOL: EXAM TAKING TECHNIQUES by Charles H. Whitebread (1989). KF285/.Z9/W3/- Reserve. Author includes chapters on dealing with intimidation, allocating time during the exam, reading the question, organizing an answer, analyzing legal issues and writing the exam. Appendix includes sample exam questions with steps involved in answering the question.

SURVIVING THE FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL by Ralph Canada, Charles Cheatham and Tony Licata (1978). KF283/.C36/Reserve. Very readable, this book provides advice on buying study aids, briefing cases, answering when called upon in class, taking notes in class, moot court, and preparing for and taking exams.

WRITE THE "A" LAW EXAM ANSWER by Betty Brody (1988). KF283/.B76/Reserve. 54 page book gives advice on reading, analyzing and answering exam questions. Provides sample questions and their answers for first year subjects.

CONQUERING LEGAL EXAMS: THE ART OF PREPARING FOR AND WRITING OUTSTANDING LEGAL EXAMS by David R. Simon (1994). KF283/.S65/Reserve. Short, readable book giving advice on test preparation and techniques in writing the final exam. Last section includes sample questions for first year subjects.

MAXIMIZING THE LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE II (2000). KF273/.M3/2000. This special issue of Stetson Law Review is an update of the 1983 Stetson publication designed to "provide entering law students with the knowledge and confidence to grasp the many opportunities that a legal education yields." Sections include "Insights on Legal Education," "Developing Analytical Abilities," "Gaining Lawyering Skills," "Building Relationships," and "Life After Law School."

[This bibliography is an update of one that appeared in the September 2000 issue of Check It Out.]

The Law Library has three copies of the book Property : Examples and Explanations (KF560/.B87) coauthored by Professor Joseph Snoe. The book was published by Aspen Law & Business, 2001. The other author is Barlow Burke of American University, Washington College of Law. All three copies are shelved on Reserve.
 

Andorka, Frank H. WHAT IS A COPYRIGHT? KF2995/.W52/2001.

Babson, Marshall B. MONITORING ELECTRONIC MAIL IN THE WORKPLACE : PROPERTY V. PRIVACY. KF3457/.B32.

Bruening, Paula J. CONSUMER PRIVACY IN THE ELECTRONIC MARKETPLACE. HC79/.C63/B78.

THE PORTABLE UCC. 3rd ed. KF890/.P67/2000.

Remington, Michael J. NAPSTER AND THE DIGITAL AGE : THE FUTURE OF COPYRIGHT LAW. KF2979/.R46.

WHAT IS A PATENT? : A GUIDE FOR THE IP LAWYER. [2nd ed.] KF3114.3.W45/2001.

August, 2001: "To Kill a Mockingbird", the classic Harper Lee novel has been pulled from the required reading list at Muskogee High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma. "It's a great book. It teaches life lessons," said Principal Terry Saul. But the book contains charged language and innuendoes and "we didn't want to put any kids in an uncomfortable situation."

September, 2001: Harper Lee's powerful novel about racism and courage is the first book chosen by the Chicago Public Library for its annual One Book, One Chicago program. For seven weeks, the library is trying to get as many Chicagoans as possible to read and talk about the same book. Library officials say the novel is ideal for the program. It's one of the most popular American novels ever, still selling nearly a million paperback copies a year, four decades after it won the Pulitzer Prize.

April, 2001: Harper Lee, author of "To Kill A Mockingbird", celebrated her 75th birthday.

Volume 45, no. 2, Winter 1994 of the Alabama Law Review contained a symposium on "To Kill a Mockingbird" and three copies of that publication are shelved with the treatises on the Second Floor, KF210/.S85/1994.

The Law Library has a copy of the 1960 edition of the book, and it is shelved on the Second Floor, PS3562/.E353/T6/1960. The Law Library also has two copies of the 35th Anniversary edition. One copy is shelved on the Second Floor at PS3562/.E353/T6/1995, and one copy is shelved on Reserve.

Source: School Pulls Mockingbird from Reading List (visited August 3, 2001) http://cnn.com; Mockingbird Takes Over Chicago (visited September 10, 2001) http://cnn.com.

What are ALRs?

American Law Reports (Practice Section, First Floor) are excellent research and case-finding tools. Now published by West Group, ALRs compile articles or annotations on selected legal issues. These up-to-date articles cite and discuss cases across the U.S. about particular points of law. An annotation does not exist for every conceivable issue, but the lucky researcher who finds an article on point may save hours.

Typically, each annotation starts with a topic outline, references to other library resources, a keyword index, a table of statutes and cases by jurisdiction, and a list of related annotations. Other features include a brief scope note, an overview of the issues, practice pointers, and detailed descriptions of cases. Full text of an illustrative or leading case accompanies each annotation.

Initially, the series covered both state and federal cases in one set of books. Since 1969, federal topics are in a separate publication (ALR Federal). Presently, the series consists of ALR 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, and Federal. Some annotations are also in the Lawyers' Edition of the United States Supreme Court Reports (L. Ed. and L. Ed. 2d) [Federal Cases Section, First Floor].

Lexis and Westlaw provide online access to ALRs. Both services, however, omit the first series of ALRs and omit the full text of illustrative cases.

How do I find an ALR?

To find an annotation on a specific topic, perhaps the best starting point is the six-volume ALR Index shelved at the end of the set. This ALR Index covers ALR 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, and Federal. The last volume of the ALR Index also includes tables of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, along with an Annotation History Table discussed below. Find indexing for the first series in a separate four-volume set called ALR Word Index to Annotations. The stand-alone index for the second series is ALR 2d Word Index to Annotations.

The publisher provides several abridged indexes for easy access: ALR 1-175 Quick Index (covering the first series); ALR Quick Index (covering 3rd, 4th, and 5th series); and ALR Federal Quick Index (covering ALR Fed and L. Ed. 2d). In companion volumes, ALR Federal Tables tabulate federal cases, statutes, rules, and regulations appearing in annotations.

An alternative finding tool is the ALR Digest covering the 3d, 4th, 5th, and Federal series. For a digest to the second series, consult a separate seven-volume set called ALR 2d 1-100 Digest. For the first series, look for a set called the Permanent ALR Digest.

Use Shepard's Citations for ALRs to find references to annotations discussing specific cases. Find these Shepard's volumes with the ALRs in the Practice Section.

How do I update ALRs?

ALRs are noteworthy for their currency. Starting with ALR 3d, look for pocket part updates in the back of each volume. To find even later cases, check the pocket supplement for a toll-free hotline number. The first and second series have unique updating methods. For the second series, consult the Later Case Service shelved near the end of the full ALR set in the Practice Section. The Later Case Service, in turn, has pocket part supplements. Find the Later Case Service for L. Ed. 2d (volume 1 - 31 only) with the Lawyers Edition reporters in the Federal Case Section. For volume thirty-two forward, look for pocket parts in the back of each reporter.

To update ALRs in the first series, use the ALR Blue Book of Supplemental Decisions. This resource cites to recent cases, although editors provide no synopsis or discussion. Importantly, the ALR Blue Book also shows which articles in the first series are supplemented or replaced with later annotations. The first series of ALRs began in 1919 and the second series ended in 1965. Thus, updating with the ALR Blue Book or Later Case Service is crucial.

Buried in the back of each volume of the ALR Index is a very important tool: the Annotation History Table. This History Table tells whether the publisher has supplemented or replaced a particular annotation. Use this table to check the status of all annotations whatever the series. For the first series, consult the ALR Blue Book as well.

If needed, ask a reference librarian for help finding or using ALRs.

Every profession has its share of specialized language and the law is no exception. Following are just a few common abbreviations or acronyms often encountered by law students and lawyers.

AmJur - American Jurisprudence, a legal encyclopedia

BNA - Bureau of National Affairs, a legal publisher

CCH - Commerce Clearing House, another legal publisher

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, regulations issued by U.S. federal agencies

CJS - Corpus Juris Secundum, another legal encyclopedia

COA - Causes of Action, a guide to elements of legal claims

FR - Federal Register, daily publication of federal documents, rules, regulations, and notices

FRCP - Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, federal court rules

USC - United States Code, the official compilation of federal statutes

USCA - United States Code Annotated, a commercial version of federal statutes

USCS - United States Code Service, another commercial version of federal statutes

Literally thousands of abbreviations are found throughout the literature of the law. Many are recognizable on sight. For countless others, a handy reference source is welcome. For just such a guide, consult Bieber's Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations. Prince's 5th ed. [KF246/.B46/2001/Reference, First Floor]. This comprehensive resource, edited by Mary Miles Prince, lists more than 35,000 abbreviations used in encyclopedias, dictionaries, reporters, loose-leaf services, law reviews, treatises, reference books, and citators. On the flip side, to find the abbreviation for a specific term, look for the reverse dictionary also contained in this 5th edition. For international coverage, consult the four-volume World Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations [K85/.W67/Reference, First Floor].

[Look for Alphabet Soup, Part 2 in the October issue.]

It's two hours before your paper is due. You have worked on it so diligently, and you are almost ready. Just before you print, however, the computer freezes up. You have to reboot, and lose twenty pages of hard work in the process. You don't know whether to cry or to curse.

I think that we can all relate to the situation above. There are probably few things in life that feel as sickening as losing work to a computer crash. You should take comfort, though, in the fact that this is a completely avoidable disaster. By frequently saving your work, and saving it on two or three disks, you can significantly decrease the likelihood of losing your work.

We all like to think that we are above the "save every 10 seconds" advice, but let's face it; the night before a thirty page paper is due is no time to be a cowboy. I would even advise you to save your paper immediately after you finish typing the first line. I would also advise you to save every time you edit your work. Even if you have only typed an extra set of quotation marks, go ahead and save. It's a handy way of reminding yourself that saving is important.

Save your work to two disks. Especially if you are doing a lengthy paper, like a directed research project, saving to more than one location is a wise idea. Because floppies are fragile, make sure that you protect them from scratches and other hazards. Since they are a magnetic media, you must keep them away from magnetic fields. Remember that they will disintegrate over time, so if you are working on an ongoing project, remember to save all of your work to a new, fresh disk every few months or so.

Only use the hard drives of lab computers in an extreme emergency, and never save your work to the desktop. The lab computers are used by many people, and we have to make sure that the hard drives have plenty of free space. Otherwise, they will be more prone to crashes, freeze-ups, and molasses-like processing speeds. Therefore, we periodically delete all files saved to the hard drives.

The library has a new way for you to save large files that you might need for a long time. We have a CD burner that is available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. All of the Lexis Room computers are set up to use it, and two computers each in the Lower Level and Westlaw Labs can use it. Look for a sticker on the computer monitor saying that the CD burner is available.

Best of luck with the semester, and please, please, please remember to save (excessively)!

Facilities:

You probably know that viruses do nasty things to computers. They can put your computer out of commission in a hurry. Fortunately, we have means of protecting ourselves against these marauding bits of programming, and most of them fall under the category of common sense:

1. Do not open email from strangers.

2. Do not open attachments to emails--even from your best friends--without scanning them; NEVER open attachments with the extensions ".exe" or ".COM" (these are executable files that can contain dangerous code).

3. Scan your floppy disks frequently (you can do this on lab computers by inserting your diskette and finding McAfee Virus scan on the Start menu).

4. Make sure when you use Microsoft Outlook that you do not have it set to auto-execute any files.

5. Keep your virus protection (either Norton or McAfee) current.

Because viruses are so dangerous, most people are quick to panic when they think one is on the loose. Many times well-intentioned individuals will readily jump on any bandwagon that prophesizes virus doom and gloom. Such people will happily forward a letter that reads, "Important! Send this warning to at least 25 people now!" to everyone in their address book, as long as the original sender told tales of woe about hard drive failure due to the newest, most dangerous virus. Most of the time, these warnings are myths, and are essentially chain letters. Do not panic if you receive such a letter, and until you know the facts, don't forward the letter. Just make sure that you watch out for yourself, as we discussed above, and you should be competent to deal with any virus that rears its head. Many virus warnings are hoaxes. You can protect yourself from these hoaxes by staying calm and informed. The site http://www.vmyths.com is devoted entirely to exposing virus hoaxes. Furthermore, they have some informative articles about how viruses are spread.