Ross-Blakley Law Library Blog

While the seats are packed, it’s pretty quiet here in the Law Library, as students are taking full advantage of the Reading Period to prepare for final exams.

Law students have long taken refuge in the library for quiet study. Before 1993, the ASU Law Library was housed in the basement and other areas of Armstrong Hall. Without a free-standing building with dedicated study rooms (which, by the way, are in high demand this time of year – reservations are recommended!), students hunkered down at study carrells or nooks and crannies throughout the space.

To commemorate this Reading Period, we thought you’d enjoy these photos of … Continue Reading

While searching the College of Law Archives for items to include in Professor Feller’s upcoming memorial service, I came across a gem in the Spring 1989 Forum (a former periodic publication of the College of Law): The Commencement Address, given by Paul F. Eckstein, to the graduating class of 1988.

Good speeches stand the test of time, and 25 years later, Eckstein’s advice is still solid.
How to Find Happiness in the Practice of Law:

1. ”(A)lways be respectful of those who are your adversaries and understand that your role as an advocate or negotiator deles not require you to assume the demeanor of those you represent…

2. (Do) what … Continue Reading

Beth DiFelice, Assistant Director of the Ross-Blakley Law Library, will be giving a workshop next week on the most important legal research strategies you need to know before starting your legal position this summer or embarking on your career.

The hour-long workshop will be offered twice:
Tuesday, April 2nd: 12-15-1:15pm in Library 119
Wednesday, April 3rd: 3-4pm in Room 118

Due to a planned power outage, the Law Library will be closing at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2013 (tomorrow).

The All Night Study Room will be unavailable tomorrow night.

We apologize for the inconvenience. We will reopen at 7:00 a.m. Friday morning.

There are two new items in the Library Faculty Display Case this week.

First is the cover of Sandra Day O’Connor’s newest book, Out of Order: Stories from the History of the Supreme Court.  The book itself is available for check out from the Law Library.

Second is an article from Professor Adam Chodorow called “Death and Taxes and Zombies,” which was published in the Iowa Law Review this month.  If you would like to read the article, it is available through SSRN online, or the journal is available at the Circulation Desk for temporary use.

SCOTUSblog has conducted a five-part series of interviews with Nina Totenberg, NPR’s award-winning legal affairs correspondent and Dean of the Supreme Court Press Corps.  The videos are excellent and provide a unique insight in to the Court from someone who has been reporting on it since the 1970’s.  Links to each of the five interviews are provided below.

Part One: Totenberg talks about her background, how her career began, and how she first started covering the Supreme Court.

Part Two: Totenberg addresses how the Supreme Court works and how to convey its subtleties.

Part … Continue Reading

The West Elevator of the Law Library (the only one that goes to the 3rd floor) is currently out of order. It will be out of commission until tomorrow (Tuesday). We apologize for the inconvenience!

We know a few Law Library staffers who will be skipping the Stairmaster at the gym tonight!

Ayn Rand is famous for novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, but have you heard of her play, Night of January 16th? This courtroom drama, enlists audience members to play the “jury,” and has different endings depending on which verdict they reach.

In 2011, Hofstra University cast real lawyers for  a run of the play, and hosted post-performance legal discussions.

The law has long been a topic of interest to writers and audiences. If you’re interested in learning more about the law in literature, the Law Library has several items in our collection to help get you … Continue Reading

2013′s first new item in the Faculty Display Case is a chapter by Professor Ira Ellman from Marriage at the Crossroads: Law, Policy, and the Brave New World of Twenty-First-Century Families entitled “Should Marriage Matter?”  Professor Ellman co-wrote this chapter with Professor Sanford Braver of the ASU Psychology Department.

If you are interested in reading the chapter, a copy of it is available at SSRN.  If you would like to read the entire book, you can check it out from the Faculty Display Case by inquiring at the Law Library Circulation Desk.

The Law Library will be closed on Saturday, December 22nd due to construction. Please visit the Law Library hours page for a full schedule of the library’s intersession hours.