Flicker photo by cali.org

Before you begin your first week of classes, you will need to register for several different research systems. You should have received authorization codes for each of these systems during the Technology Introduction of New Student Orientation. If you have trouble registering your account, please contact Reference/Student Services Librarian Austin Williams.

Westlaw

1. Go to lawschool.westlaw.com.
2. Click Register Password on the lawschool.westlaw.com sign-on page.
3. Click the link next to Registering for the First Time?
4. Type your email address in the text box and click Go.
5. Type your Westlaw password in the text box and click Go.
6. Type the information requested, read the agreement, and click I Agree. You will receive a confirmation message and a follow-up email.
7. One your account is set up, you can log-in to Westlaw or WestlawNext with your Username and Password at lawschool.westlaw.com.

Lexis Nexis

1. Go to http://register.lexisnexis.com/lawschool.
2. Enter GSU’s registration code.
3. Click submit.
4. A new window/tab will open with your temporary ID and temporary Password credentials.
5. Follow the steps on this screen in order to create your new custom ID and Password at www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool.
6. One your account is set up, you can log-in to Lexis Advance with your ID and Password at www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool.

Bloomberg Law

1. Go to http://bloomberglaw.com/activate.
2. Look for “Authorization Code” located at the top of the screen (in a blue box).
3. Enter your authorization code.
4. Follow the steps to create an account. (You will need to register using your GSU email).
5. Once your account is setup, you can log-in to Bloomberg Law with your Username and Password at http://about.bloomberglaw.com/.

CALI

1. Go to www.cali.org.
2.  Click on “Create new account,” located on the right side of the screen.
3. Follow the steps to create a new account. (You will need to register using your GSU email).
4. You will receive a verification email after you have set up your account.
5. Once your account is setup, you can log-in to CALI with your Username and Password at www.cali.org.

flicker photo by PureGeekery

A desk is where most people get their work done. A person’s desk is a mash-up of utility, comfort, and personality. The traditional desk has always been a table with a few drawers attached and a chair. While this has worked perfectly for people over the past few decades, we now live in a world where people like options. If you can customize the car you drive to work and the computer you use, why can’t you also customize your desk? For those of you who are looking for alternative types of desks, here are a few options that might interest you.

Standing Desk

The standing desk provides an alternative to those who jobs require them to be behind a desk for a majority of their workday. The standing desk helps combat the negative consequences from sitting all day long. Some standing desks can move up and down, allowing users to sit or stand.

Treadmill Desk

A close cousin to the standing desk is the treadmill desk. This works great for people who want to kick the chair to the curb and lose a few pounds. Don’t think you can run and type? Don’t worry, most people simply keep it set on a very slow walk.  If you get tired of walking, you can always stop the treadmill, and the desk turns into a regular standing desk.

Lap Desk

The lap desk has been on the market for years. As one of the most versatile desks, the lap desk can be used in a chair, on the couch, or in bed, as well as used as a tv tray, a laptop desk, or a simple writing desk. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in portability.

Laptop Desk Cart

The laptop desk cart provides users with a mobile cart and tray that they can place their laptops on. Several employ extra space for a mouse or a keyboard to optimize comfort and usability. Generally on wheels, these desks can be moved all over the room.

On Friday, Detroit became the largest U.S. city to declare bankruptcy. Municipalities, such as cities, towns, and counties, can enter reorganization under Chapter 9, Title 11 of the U.S.Code. The U.S. Courts website provides a basic overview of Chapter 9 reorganization on the following page, Chapter 9: Municipality Bankruptcy. 

Under Chapter 9 reorganization, a municipality is protected from creditors while it determines a plan to adjust its debts. The American Bankruptcy Institute provides quarterly statistics on the number of municipalities that have filed for Chapter 9 since 1980 (ABI Chapter 9 Filings 1980 – Current Table).

No one factor led to Detroit to this final solution. Detroit has been in decline for years due to job losses among the U.S. auto industry. According to USA Today, citing a letter from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, several factors that led to the city eventually filing bankruptcy included:

• Unemployment rate double the national average
• Homicide rate at historical levels
• Average of 58 minutes for police to respond, compared to average of 11 minutes nationally
• 40% of the city’s street lights not working
• 78,000 city structures abandoned

USA Today: Detroit: How the Motor City went bust

In total, the filing listed more than 100,000 creditors and more than $1 billion in estimated liabilities (possibly even $20 billion total). For full details on the matter, you can review the bankruptcy petition filed by the city with the bankruptcy court for the Eastern District of Michigan: Detroit Bankruptcy Petition Filed In United States Bankruptcy Court.

Flicker photo by Moyan_Brenn

Law students often use summertime to take classes, study for the MPRE, or intern. While these are all fine and good, it’s also important to add in a little down time.  Here are a few suggestions on how to unwind over the next few months.

Read a book?

Reading is the last thing you want to do, right?  However, don’t you remember those days prior to law school when you actually enjoyed getting lost in a good book? If you need book suggestions, check out Pam Brannon’s blog post “Read (Something Other Than Casebooks)!”

Watch a movie

The summer is the best time to get back into movie watching. The crop of current showings and upcoming releases are worth a view.  Some of the most highly anticipate flicks this summer include:

• Iron Man 3 (May 3) – currently showing
• The Great Gatsby (May 10) – currently showing
• Star Trek Into Darkness (May 17) – currently showing
• The Hangover Part III (May 23) – currently showing
• Epic (May 24)
• Fast & Furious 6 (May 24)
• Now You See Me (May 31)
• After Earth (May 31)
• The Internship (June 7)
• Man of Steel (June 14)
• Despicable Me 2 (July 3)
• Lone Ranger (July 3)
• Grown Ups 2 (July 12)
• The Wolverine (July 26)

Atlanta Summer Festivals

If you want to have a good time without leaving the area, check out some of the summer festivals going on in Atlanta. Some of the big ones include the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest, Virginia Highland Summerfest, 4^th of July at Lenox Square, and the Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival. For more information on local summer festivals, go to http://www.atlanta.net/festivals/festivalsSummer.aspx.

Beach

There is no better way to enjoy the summer than going to the beach. While Atlanta is not a coastal city, there are several beaches within driving distance. For information on nearby beaches, check out the AJC’s gallery entitled “Six beaches within driving distance of Atlanta.”

Baseball

The nation’s pastime takes center stage during the summer.  The Braves are currently leading the National League East Division and have several enticing home match-ups this summer, including the Mets, Giants, Pirates, Cardinals, and division rival Nationals. Access the Braves schedule at http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=atl#y=2013&m=5&calendar=DEFAULT. If you are on a budget, think about buying tickets through one of the Braves Special Offers: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ticketing/ticket_specials.jsp.

Soccer (a.k.a Football or Fútbol)

Whether you are a passionate fan or casual viewer, you are sure to get a kick out of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Atlanta will host two quarterfinal games on July 20^th. Match-ups will depend on the results from the group stages, but fans could expect to see Mexico (“El Tri”) in at least one of the games. For tickets, go to http://www.ticketmaster.com/CONCACAF-Gold-Cup-Quarterfinals-tickets/artist/1836368?brand=none&tm_link=artist_rc_name1.

Flicker photo by kalleboo

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), popularly known as North Korea, has generated a significant amount of press recently in regards to its rhetoric towards the Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, and the United States of America.  While tensions have increased recently, relations between the three over the past 60 years have always been less than cordial.  The strained relations between the three stem from their involvement in the Korean War.

The Korean War (June 1950 – July 1953) was seen as the first military action of the Cold War.  Supported by the Soviets and China, the North Korean Army crossed over the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea, which was supported by the United States.  Eventually the 38th parallel was restored with the signing of the armistice agreement between North and South Korea.  While this stopped the fighting, it was not a peace agreement.  North and South Korea are still technically at war with each other today.

In the past several months, tensions have risen significantly due to North Korea’s long range rocket launch in December 2012 and underground nuclear bomb test in February 2013.  In March, after the U.N. Security Council agreed to sanctions, North Korea abandoned the 1953 armistice and cut its military hotline with South Korea.  In April, North Korea moved several medium-range missiles to its east coast and pulled all of its workers out of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.  It’s unclear what all of this will eventually mean.  North Korea does have a history of charged rhetoric in order to gain concessions.  One can only wait and see how this will all play out.

The following sources will provide more information on current developments with North Korea and information on the Korean War.

• The World Factbook: North Korea (Central Intelligence Agency)
• North Korea (U.S. Department of State)
• A Country Study: North Korea (The Library of Congress)
• Country-by-Country Guide to Foreign Law Research (Yale  Law School Lillian Goldman Law Library)
• North Korea’s War of Words Escalates – Timeline of a Crisis (CNN)
• Korean War (History Channel)
• The Korean War, June 1950 – July 1953:  Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection (Naval History & Heritage Command, United States Navy)

Take a walk through United States history using the National Archives and Records Administration’s “100 Milestone Documents.”  The website, www.ourdocuments.gov, provides PDF access to documents from 1776 – 1965.

In addition to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, there are several documents that have both historical and legal significance.  Below is a list of a few documents contained in the 100 Milestone Documents that may be of interest to law students:

• Bill of Rights (1791)
• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
• Executive Order 9981: Desegregation of the Armed Forces (1948)
• Armistice Agreement for the Restoration of the South Korean State (1953)
• Executive Order 10730: Desegregation of Central High School (1957)
• Voting Rights Act (1965)

If you have paid attention to news outlets, television, or the radio at all in the past few weeks, you have probably heard about the potential federal government budget sequestration.  News has picked up steadily about potential across the board budget cuts that will take place if Congress fails to come to a deal by March 1, 2013.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about the sequestration, the following resources should give you a better understanding of the timeline and the potential effects.

Overview of Budget Sequestration

• CNN Explains: Sequestration by Matt Smith (CNN)
• When does sequestration start? by Darren Samuelsohn (Politico)
• The sequester: A Q&A (CBS News)

Effects

• Estimated Impact of Automatic Budget Enforcement Procedures Specified in the Budget Control Act – Highlights (Congressional Budget Office)
• Estimated Impact of Automatic Budget Enforcement Procedures Specified in the Budget Control Act – Full Document (Congressional Budget Office)
• Impact of March 1st Cuts on Middle Class Families, Jobs and Economic Security: Georgia (The White House)

The Laws

• Budget Control Act of 2011, P.L. 112 – 25 (Government Printing Office) – This act created the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to produce deficit reduction legislation.  The act also stipulated that if Congress failed to produce a deficit reduction bill with at least $1.2 trillion in cuts, then it would trigger across the board cuts as of January 2, 2013.
• American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, P.L. 112-240 (Government Printing Office) – This act delayed the start of sequestration from January 2, 2013 to March 1, 2013.

Live Coverage

• C-SPAN – Live Senate and House coverage, along with archived videos of debates and hearings related to the budget sequestration.

Flicker photo by stevendepolo

While a steroid controversy has embroiled two of America’s favorite sports, football and baseball, Europe’s favorite sport soccer has been plagued by a different culprit: match-fixing.

Match-fixing occurs when a match is played to an already pre-determined outcome.  Gambling syndicates and organized crime are often to blame for influencing the outcome of these matches for purposes of sports betting.

Europol, the European Union’s agency that handles criminal intelligence, recently reported that they have deemed suspicious a total of 380 soccer matches played in Europe.  Furthermore, Europol identified 425 corrupt officials, players, and serious criminals involved with match-fixing, spanning across 15 different countries.   Europol even believes some of the matches implicated were World Cup qualifying matches and UEFA Champions League matches, arguably the most prestigious competitions in all of world soccer.  The investigators estimate that the criminals made around €8 million – with the highest bribe coming in at €140,000.

It’s not clear how this will affect fans’ perception of soccer, but it will seriously undermine the integrity of the game, much like steroids have in baseball and football.

For more information on the current match-fixing scandal plaguing European soccer, check out the following articles:

•  FIFA: Governments must help in match-fixing fight (CNN)
• Investigation unveils scale of match-fixing (ESPN)
• Europol: investigators identify 380 fixed football matches (The Guardian)

Flicker photo by HeatherMG

Even though exams are a couple of months away, it is never too early to start studying a little.  When studying, many law students find flashcards useful for memorizing essential definitions, factors, and elements for their courses.  While some people make their own flashcards, others turn to commercial flashcards.  While these can be very helpful, they can also be fairly expensive ($39-$59 per set) if you purchase them for several different subjects.

To help alleviate the burden on your already stretched wallet, the Law Library keeps several sets of Wolters Kluwer’s “Law in a Flash” flashcards on the Law Library Reserve, located behind the Circulation Desk.  As with each of the reserve items, students can check out the flashcards for 3 hours at a time.

Currently, you can check out the following sets from the Law Library:

• Administrative Law
• Civil Procedure, Part 1 & 2
• Contracts
• Constitutional Law, Part 1 (National and State Powers) & Part 2 (Individual Rights)
• Corporations & Other Business Entities
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Environmental Law
• Future Interests
• Professional Responsibility/MPRE, Part 1 & 2
• Real Property

Check to see if Flashcards are available on reserve

On Monday, January 21, 2013 the nation will celebrate the Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration.  For over 200 years the United States has celebrated the quadrennial swearing-in of the President and Vice President.  This year is significant because it is only the seventh time that the constitutionally mandated Inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday.

The 20^th Amendment changed the inauguration date from March 4th to January 20th.  Generally, on years when January 20th falls on a Sunday, the White House holds a private ceremony on January 20th and then a public ceremony on Monday, January 21st.

Don’t worry if you are not making the trek up to Washington, D.C. this year to see the ceremony in person.   Several of the major networks will be providing live coverage on television and online streaming (Story:  How to watch Obama’s inauguration online).

For more information on the Fifty-Seventh Presidential Inauguration, check out the official Inauguration website.   For more general information, check out the following books located in the University and Law Libraries:

• I Do Solemnly Swear: The President’s Constitutional Oath by Matthew Pauley
• Presidential Inaugurations by Paul Boller
• The Inaugural Addresses of American Presidents:The Public Philosophy and Rhetoric by Dante Germino