2011 Legal Research Institute
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Valerie Aggerbeck vraggerbeck@stthomas.edu |
The Minnesota Association of Law Libraries is presenting a nine-part institute to provide continuing education in legal research methodology using both print and electronic resources. The two-hour sessions will cover a variety of topics and will include the full spectrum of primary and secondary legal resources. The Institute will provide an overview of efficient and ethical techniques for finding and effectively using legal resources. These weekly sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. in Room 4, Hamline University School of Law, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul. Parking is permitted on campus at no charge in the visitor parking lot off Hewitt. Map |
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All sessions meet in Room 4 from 6:30 - 8:45 p.m. (includes a 15-minute break). |
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One, September 13 The American Legal System Mary Wells, Research Librarian, Schoenecker Law Library, University of St. Thomas The first session covers the basics of the legal system of the United States. While not covering any legal sources or legal research processes, it will serve as an introduction and foundation for the rest of the series. Topics include the Constitution, the structure of America’s government, the relationships among governmental branches and between the state and federal governments, and the functions, processes and products of the three branches. Examples, illustrations, and streaming audio and video will enhance the learning experience. |
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Two, September 20 Secondary Legal Materials Megan Jens, J.D., Reference Librarian, Hamline University Law Library This two-hour presentation covers sources that analyze and explain or aid in finding the law. It offers techniques for finding and using treatises, periodicals, reference works and practice materials. |
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Three, September 27 Researching Case Law Karen Westwood, J.D., Head of Reference Warren E. Burger Library, William Mitchell College of Law This presentation describes commercial and official reports emanating from American courts at all levels, and includes techniques for finding, using and updating federal and state court decisions. |
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Four, October 4 Federal Statutory Law and Legislative Histories Sarah G. Mulligan, J.D., Law Librarian, Faegre & Benson LLP Grace Mills, J.D., Law Library Director and Associate Professor of Law, Hamline University Law Library This session will cover the federal legislative process, from a bill’s introduction to its codification as law, and emphasizes how to find laws and the documents generated in the lawmaking process. Free and fee sources for these documents will be presented, plus ways to track bills. |
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Five, October 11 Administrative Law Suzanne Thorpe, J.D., Associate Director for Faculty Research & Instructional Services University of Minnesota Law Library This presentation describes the legal publications emanating from federal administrative agencies and discusses techniques for finding and using federal regulations and administrative decisions in both hard copy and electronic resources. |
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Six, October 18 Minnesota Law & Legislative History Vicente E. Garces, J.D., Reference Librarian, University of Minnesota Law Library Paul VanCura, Reference Librarian, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library This session focuses on the use of primary and secondary sources to research Minnesota law. Statutes, cases and administrative law resources will be examined and discussed in the context of research strategy. A practical overview of how to conduct Minnesota legislative history research will be presented, and electronic resources will be highlighted. |
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Seven, October 25 Intellectual Property Law Jody Pizzala, Senior Paralegal, Merchant & Gould PC Hope Porter, Head Librarian, Merchant & Gould PC This course will discuss the phases of a patent litigation and the ways that librarians and information resources support that process. Examples of searches for patent records will be provided. |
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Eight, November 1 Disaster Law Neal Axton, J.D., Reference Librarian Warren E. Burger Library, William Mitchell College of Law This session provides an overview of federal and Minnesota law related to emergency management, including statutes, agency regulations and Presidential Homeland Security Directives. Emergencies discussed will include floods, snowstorms, earthquakes, pandemics and terrorism. The concept of cascading disasters will also be covered. |
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Nine, November 8 Debtor-Creditor Law and Ethics Randall Ryder, J.D., The Ryder Law Firm LLC William G. Cottrell, J.D., Cottrell Law Firm PA Paul Healey, J.D., Senior Instructional Librarian, Jenner Law Library, and Associate Professor of Library Instruction, University of Illinois College of Law Randall Ryder will discuss the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and resources for both consumers and creditors to learn more about their legal rights and obligations. Bill Cottrell will present the steps involved in collecting a debt through the legal system. He will take questions from the audience and provide an overview of what typically goes on when collecting a debt or defending against it. Paul Healey's presentation will explore the concept of professionals ethics, specifically as it applies to providing legal reference services. Specific areas of ethical concern will be addressed, to help librarians understand how to deal appropriately with such issues. |
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Individual Sessions:
$50 each. Students $35 Grants are available for MALL members. See the Awards, Grants & Scholarships Committee page for information and application form. 18 CLE credits will be applied for, and career renewal CE credits are available upon request. |
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