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.

Welcome to all our new 1Ls! We are so glad you’re here, and hope you’ll find the library a valuable resource throughout your time in law school. Here are just a few of the things we do to try to make your life just a little better during law school:

• Fun stuff to borrow, including DVDs, board games, and chargers
• A “quiet zone” on the upper level for diligent studying
• Group study rooms that you can reserve online
• A book exchange for some casual reading
• Textbooks on Reserve that you can use for 3 hours at a time
• A hot and cold water fountain, for all your lunchtime needs
• Help with your Legal Bib homework during reference hours, both live and via chat
• And we have a tour video to show you around too:

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.

image by flickr user h080

Things are a bit quiet in the library these days, since there are no classes happening for a few weeks. To reflect this, our hours are a bit shorter than usual. Here’s the scoop on when we’ll be open during this time:

Library Hours (through August 10)

• Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Library Hours (August 11 – 18)

• Monday – Friday: regular hours
• NOTE: closed to the public for orientation

Reference Hours (through August 11)

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: closed

We return to our full regular schedule on Monday, August 19.

image by Flickr user flow14

As you’re already well aware, Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, welcomed a baby boy yesterday. The baby, the Prince of Cambridge, is now third in line for the throne behind his grandfather, Prince Charles, and his father, Prince William. Prior to the baby’s birth, Prince William’s younger brother Harry was third in line. And thanks to some recent legislation, the child was assured that position in the line of succession regardless of its gender.

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 (UK) received Royal Assent on April 25, 2013. In addition to granting both male and female children born after October 28, 2011 the same position in the line of succession (Sec. 1), the Act also removes a prior restriction about marrying a Roman Catholic (Sec. 2), and limits royal assent on a marriage to only the first six people in the line of succession (Sec. 3), amongst other provisions.

If you’re interested in looking at more UK legislation, take a look at the full legislation.gov.uk website, which has legislation going back to the 13th century.

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.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

by Lindsey Laforge

July 11 is the anniversary of the swearing in of William Howard Taft as the chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1921. As I am sure you know William Taft was also the 27^th President of the United States. After his presidency he took the bench and thus became the only person ever to serve as both President and Supreme Court Chief Justice.

While we are on the topic of interesting facts about former Presidents, here are some tid-bits you may not have been aware of:

• President Reagan was the only divorced president.
• President Tyler had the most children at fifteen
• President Buchanan was the only president never to marry.
• The Tallest president was President Lincoln at 6’4″
• President Madison was the shortest at 5’4″
• 8 U.S. Presidents never attended college
  • The same number were born British subjects
• Other than the most famous assassinations of Presidents Kennedy and Lincoln, there were also two other Presidential assassinations while in office- Presidents Garfield and McKinley
• President Van Buren’s first language was Dutch
• While President Pierce was in office he was arrested for running over an old woman with his horse.
• President Cleveland is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms
• President Theodore Roosevelt was the first American to win a Nobel Prize

by Mark Stuckey

image by flickr user sarahreido

Now I don’t always watch television series, but when I do I watch all 8 seasons in 3 days. Given my busy law school schedule, I want to consume as much television as possible in the short time available. Luckily, I am able to binge on my televisual vice thanks to Netflix. Netflix steaming allows you to watch your (new) favorite television programs back to back without the hindrance of commercials. I was skeptical at first, but I have joined the drooling masses and will never look back. I would like to share with you a truncated list of shows that should occupy your bandwidth and time. Believe me, they’re worth it.

The first show that you should be watching or better yet re-watching is Arrested Development. Arrested Development follows the trials and tribulations of the Bluth family, but especially Michael, “the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together”. Without giving too much away, the series revolves around the antics of the self-interested members of this dysfunctional family. By the time you finish watching, you will almost feel like your family is normal. Arrested Development is rich with a talented cast (Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, David Cross), and some of the most learned writing of any series out there.  The fourth season recently dropped on Netflix, and there are rumors of a fifth season and possibly a movie. So get caught up! It won’t be a huge mistake! For more information on Arrested Development check out this site.

Next, you should be watching Mad Men.  Mad Men follows Don Draper, a successful Ad Man who seems to have it all. Mad Men is near the top of my list, because of the detail of costumes and settings (early 60’s), the social and political commentary, and the unending barrage of twists and turns. Mad Men just wrapped up its sixth season on AMC, but you can watch seasons 1-5 on Netflix. Learn more about Mad Men here.

If you have ever had a job in a big company, you need to watch Better Off Ted. Better Off Ted follows protagonist, Ted Crisp, the loveable and handsome Head of R and R at the “soulless conglomerate” Veridian Dynamics. The series is a satirical commentary on the absurdities of the modern corporate structure, but is more importantly hilarious!  Better Off Ted only had two seasons, but boasts a substantial cult following and for good reason. Check out the Wiki before you watch.

Finally, if you are ready for a time suck then Lost is the series for you. Lost follows a group of stranded air travelers on a mysterious island, and while the plot is reminiscent of “Lord of the Flies” (which I was grudgingly forced to read in 8^th grade) Lost’s payoff is much greater. There are few television shows that can build this much gratuitous suspense and get away with it. However I caution you, this series will hook you. So be prepared to not have a social life (not that you have time for one anyway). Check out Lostipedia for spoilers and more info on the series.

Above is a list of my must see series on Netflix and I hope you enjoy them. Comment below and if you have a favorite series that you think I should watch, let me know!

Honorable Mentions:

• Parks and Recreation
• American Dad
• 30 Rock
• Breaking Bad
• The Walking Dead

by Ryan Browne

Image by Flickr user tedreese

Some of the joys of summer include sitting on the beach, cooking out in the backyard and lounging around the pool.  Aside from a cold beer, the thing that goes along with each of these things is music.  And without fail, every summer brings about the song of the summer that gets played while hanging out with good friends and family and having a good time.

In 2002, Nelly took the summer with Hot in Herrre.   1997 was a little somber when I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112 was played everywhere. (R.I.P. B.I.G.).  And of course the summer of 2012 set the bar pretty high when it seemed everyone was filming their own “Call Me Maybe” video.

As we are about to hit July Fourth weekend and the middle of summer, it’s coming to the point where the song of the Summer of 2013 will emerge.  Check out some of the candidates for 2013’s song of the summer below:

Daft Punk – Get Lucky

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us

Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell – Blurred Lines

Icona Pop – I Love It

Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark

Imagine Dragons – Radioactive

Florida Georgia Line – Cruise

Selena Gomez – Come And Get It