by Sydney Jackson

Focus Pocus: Study Aids to Cast Away Exam Fright

Exams creeping up on you? Feeling haunted by outlines that refuse to finish themselves? Grab your wand (or your laptop) and let the library’s study aids help you conjure some exam magic.

Summon Your Study Spirits (Online)

COL students have access to three main, spellbinding online study aid collections, all free through the library:

West Academic Study Aids – Coverage of almost every law school course. You will find case briefs, outlines, overviews, and exam prep titles, including the Acing series, video lectures, and interactive practice questions (Exam Pro), as well as Sum & Substance Audio lectures if you prefer to listen while you stir the cauldron (or commute).
Aspen Learning Library – Home to student favorites like Examples & Explanations, Emanuel CrunchTime, and Glannon Guides. You can read online or download chapters for offline use, perfect for late-night potion-making (aka outlining).
CALI Lessons – More than 1,000 short, interactive lessons and tutorials that test your knowledge topic by topic. Think of them as flash spells: small but powerful.

You can find them all on the Law Library’s Study Aid Finder, organized by database so you can search faster than a witch on a Nimbus 2000. Access it here: https://libguides.law.gsu.edu/az.php?q=study%20aids

For Those Who Prefer the Tangible Spellbook

Some of these digital resources also have physical copies right in the library. On the fifth floor, past the circulation desk and to the left, you will find a shelf on the back wall of all of the most recent editions of our most popular study aids. You can also visit the GSU Law Library online catalog and see what we have available in our physical collection.

The display pairs a few favorite print study aids with their online versions, so you can choose whichever format fits your study style—or try both!

A Few Reliable Spells

These are tried-and-true aids worth adding to your spellbook:

Examples & Explanations – Deep dives into doctrine with practice hypos.
Emanuel CrunchTime – Flow charts and quick review sheets perfect for finals week.
Glannon Guides – Engaging multiple-choice questions that walk you through the reasoning.
Acing Series – Streamlined and checklist-based for efficient review.
Sum & Substance Audio – Great for reviewing concepts while you’re on the move.

Don’t Let Exam Season Spook You

Study aids are meant to supplement, not replace, your class notes and outlines. Mix and match formats, test yourself often, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best.

Stop by the Focus Pocus display or scan the QR code on the handout to explore every study aid available. The law library has all the tools you need to bewitch your understanding and make this exam season magically… manageable.

09.29.25

by Melba Abrahim

Book Display Breakdown: Hispanic Heritage Month

In 1968, Congress voted to dedicate a week to celebrate the contributions and heritage of Americans tracing their roots back to the Spanish-speaking regions Spain and the Americas. In 1988, this celebration was extended to a month, beginning on September 15^th to coincide with the independence days of several Central American nations. In modern times, the celebrations have grown to include those who identify under the umbrella of Latinx, who may not identify with the term Hispanic (for more information on the differences between Hispanic, Latinx, and Latine, see here). In celebration of this month, the College of Law Library has curated a selection of books related to Hispanic/Latinx heritage and history in the United States. The display is located next to the reference desk on the 5^th floor, and all books are available to be checked out at the adjacent circulation desk. The books currently on display are listed below.

Sources: census.gov , hispanicmonth.org

Murder at the Sleepy Lagoon: Zoot Suits, Race, and Riot in Wartime L.A.

by Eduardo Obregón Pagán

“The notorious 1942 ‘Sleepy Lagoon’ murder trial in Los Angeles concluded with the conviction of seventeen young Mexican American men for the alleged gang slaying of fellow youth Jose Diaz. Just five months later, the so-called Zoot Suit Riot erupted, as white soldiers in the city attacked minority youths and burned their distinctive zoot suits. Eduardo Obregn Pagan here provides the first comprehensive social history of both the trial and the riot and argues that they resulted from a volatile mix of racial and social tensions that had long been simmering. In reconstructing the lives of the murder victim and those accused of the crime, Pagan contends that neither the convictions (which were based on little hard evidence) nor the ensuing riot arose simply from anti-Mexican sentiment. He demonstrates instead that a variety of pre-existing stresses, including demographic pressures, anxiety about nascent youth culture, and the war effort all contributed to the social tension and the eruption of violence. Moreover, he recovers a multidimensional picture of Los Angeles during World War II that incorporates the complex intersections of music, fashion, violence, race relations, and neighborhood activism. Drawing upon overlooked evidence, Pagan concludes by reconstructing the murder scene and proposes a compelling theory about what really happened the night of the murder.”–provided by publisher

The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader

edited by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic

“All too often, groups who do not effectively define themselves find that others assume the power to explain them. Until recently, this has certainly been the case with American Latinos/as, as evidenced by demeaning media stereotypes and the group’s near-invisibility in U.S. history texts. Indeed, as the demise of the Soviet empire shifted America’s national anxieties to domestic irritants, images of Latinos/as changed for the worse. Immigration reform acts in 1965 and 1986 brought millions of new immigrants from Latin American countries. By the end of the 1980s, their presence had become vexing to many. English-only movements sprang up. Bilingual education came under attack. Movements to close the border gained momentum. Now, Latinos/as are speaking back. The Latino Condition brings together some of these new voices, and some of the pioneers, in law, sociology, history, politics, and literature.”–Amazon.com

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

by Juan Gonzalez

“A sweeping history of the Latinx experience in the United States. The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history, Harvest of Empire spans five centuries–from the European colonization of the Americas to the 2020 election. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States, and their impact on American culture and politics is greater than ever. With family portraits of real-life immigrant Latino pioneers, as well as accounts of the events and conditions that compelled them to leave their homelands, Gonzalez highlights the complexity of a segment of the American population that is often discussed but frequently misrepresented. This landmark history is required reading for anyone wishing to understand the history and legacy of this influential and diverse group.”– provided by publisher.

Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822-2012

prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration of the U.S. House of Representatives, Daniel E. Lungren, chairman, Robert A. Brady, ranking minority member, by the Office of the Historian and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.

“A compilation of historical essays and short biographies about 91 Hispanic-Americans who served in Congress from 1822 to 2012”–provided by publisher.

Being Brown: Sonia Sotomayor and the Latino Question

by Lázaro Lima.

“Sonia Sotomayor is the highest-ranking Latino/a in the United States. Her story of accomplishment and rise to the pinnacle of American public life seemed to herald a profound cultural and historical shift. Latinos are America’s largest minority and also its most disenfranchised. For many, Sotomayor’s ascent represented the elusive fulfillment of an American dream. A chronological narrative of her extraordinary life, Being Brown juxtaposes Sotomayor’s phenomenal successes with the twists and turns of minority inclusion in American democracy. Lázaro Lima also shows how Sotomayor’s own self-making as a Puerto Rican model of possibility allows us to understand not only the appeal but also the limits of representation. Culling through Sotomayor’s own writings, her Supreme Court dissents, and speeches, Lima questions what it means to have a powerful Latina in the Supreme Court. What does her ascent say about social mobility and inclusion? While Sotomayor’s story inspires hope, it also reveals much about the general lack of equality of Latinos and other disenfranchised communities”–provided by publisher.

Latino/a Rights and Justice in the United States: Perspectives and Approaches

by José Luis Morín.

“The U.S. Census Bureau has proclaimed Latinos as the “largest minority community” in the United States. Yet, biases and unequal treatment still plague this growing population, and its struggles to secure equal rights and justice remain largely unknown.

Linking international and domestic dimensions of the Latino/a presence in the United States, this book explores the historical and contemporary Latino/a experience of discrimination and economic and social injustice. Using Latino/a viewpoints, author Jose Luis Morin provides a deeper understanding of pressing issues within these communities, giving insights into the elusiveness of equality and fairness for Latinos/as in the United States. Morin also offers ideas on how to expose and reduce bias and other inequities within the justice system and the greater society.

In addition to presenting an alternative approach to working with Latino/a youths and families, this book calls for a broadening of existing concepts of rights and justice in the United States. In so doing, Morin incorporates international human rights norms and principles of economic, social, and cultural rights to address the persistent inequalities and injustices that Latino/a communities confront in the United States.”

07.09.25

by Melba Abrahim

Book Display Breakdown: Disability Pride Month

The month of July marks the celebration of Disability Pride Month. First officially celebrated in 2015, Disability Pride Month is held in July to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. According to the Center for People with Disabilities, 61 million American adults—1 in 4—identify themselves as having a disability (cpwd.org). Despite making up a significant portion of the population, barriers to justice and equality still exist in the United States. The theme for this year’s celebration is “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay,” highlighting the necessity for inclusion, acceptance and celebration of those with disabilities in our communities. As stated by Kyra Coats for the Center for People with Disabilities, “let Disability Pride Month be a catalyst for action to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, prioritize accessibility in all systems and structures, and honor the history while building a more inclusive future.”

For the month of July, the American Bar Association is hosting a 21-Day Disability Equity Habit-Building Challenge, to encourage both members and non-members to engage with disability history, activism, and the everyday realities of those living with disabilities in the United States and globally. The challenge includes a syllabus of short daily assignments (less than 20 minutes a day) that will educate participants on a variety of topics related to these issues. To join in on the challenge, find the syllabus here.

In celebration of Disability Pride, the College of Law Library has put together a display of books related to disability and the law. The display is located next to the circulation desk on the 5^th floor; be sure to come visit and check out the books! A list of the current books on display, along with short summaries, is provided below.

Sources and Additional Reading:

Disability Pride Month: Acknowledging Our History, Value, Rights, and Justice. — Center for People With Disabilities

Disability Pride Month

https://neurodiverseonline.com/disability-pride-2025-we-belong-here/

Books on Display

The Human Right to Language: Communication Access for Deaf Children by Lawrence M. Siegel

“In 1982, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Amy Rowley, a deaf six-year-old, was not entitled to have a sign language interpreter in her public-school classroom. Lawrence M. Siegel wholeheartedly disagrees with this decision in these pages. Instead, he contends that the United States Constitution should protect every deaf and hard of hearing child’s right to communication and language as part of an individual’s right to liberty. Siegel argues that when a deaf or hard of hearing child sits alone in a crowded classroom and is unable to access the rich and varied communication about her, the child is denied any chance of success in life.” –book jacket

Pennhurst and the Struggle for Disability Rights edited by Dennis B. Downey and James W. Conroy

“Conceived in the era of eugenics as a solution to what was termed the “problem of the feeble-minded,” state-operated institutions subjected people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a life of compulsory incarceration. One of nearly 300 such facilities in the United States, Pennhurst State School and Hospital was initially hailed as a “model institution” but was later revealed to be a nightmare, where medical experimentation and physical and psychological abuse were rampant. At its peak, more than 3,500 residents were confined at Pennhurst, supervised by a staff of fewer than 600. Beginning in the 1950’s, parent-advocates, social workers, and attorneys joined forces to challenge the dehumanizing conditions at Pennhurst. Their groundbreaking advocacy, accelerated in 1968 by the explosive televised exposé ‘Suffer the Children’, laid the foundation for lawsuits that transformed American jurisprudence and ended mass institutionalization in the United States. As a result, Pennhurst became a symbolic force in the disability civil rights movement in America and around the world. Using a blended narrative of essays and first-person accounts of survivors, parents, and activists, this compelling history will appeal both to those with connections to Pennhurst and to anyone interested in the history of institutionalization and the disability rights movement” –back cover

Disabling Interpretations: the Americans with Disabilities Act in Federal Court by Susan Gluck Mezey

“Susan Mezey argues that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has not fulfilled its potential primarily because of the judiciary’s “disabling interpretations” in adjudicating ADA claims. In a decade of litigation, judicial interpretation of the law has largely constricted the parameters of disability rights and excluded large numbers of claimants from the reach of the law. The Supreme Court has not interpreted the act broadly, as was intended by Congress, and this method of decision making has been for the most part mirrored by the courts below.

The high court’s rulings to expand state sovereign immunity and insulate states from liability in damage suits have also caused claimants to become enmeshed in litigation and have encouraged defendants to challenge other laws affecting disability rights. Despite the law’s strong civil rights rhetoric, disability rights remain an imperfectly realized goal.” –book jacket

Disabled Justice: Access to Justice and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiesby Eilionóir Flynn

“Disability offers a new lens through which to view the effectiveness of access to justice, and the inclusiveness of the justice system as a whole. This book analyses the experience of people with disabilities through the entire justice system, from making a complaint, to investigation, and through the court/tribunal process. It also considers the participation of people with disabilities in a variety of roles in the justice system – as witness, defendant, victim, plaintiff, lawyer, judge and juror. More broadly, it also critically examines the subtle barriers of access to justice which might exist in a given society – including barriers to grassroots disability advocacy, the right to vote, and the right to stand for election which may apply to people with disabilities. The study is international and comparative in scope with a focus primarily on examples of legal practice and justice systems in common law countries. The work will be of interest to scholars working in the areas of human rights, equality and non-discrimination, as well as legal professionals who work with people with disabilities to achieve access to justice” –book jacket

Twenty-two Cents an Hour: Disability Rights and the Fight to End Subminimum Wages by Doug Crandell

“In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act authorized the use of subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. While some states have banned their use, it remains legal federally. The program known as 14(c) has a long history of poor oversight and abuse. While disability rights have grown in the United States, this issue lags decades behind” –from publisher

A Lawyer’s Guide to Working with Special Needs Clients by Richard A. Courtney

“Persons with disabilities and their family members and caregivers face numerous challenges every day. They need help navigating difficult bureaucracies and developing plans for long-term care and financial security. There are many voices – including an array of financial professionals and attorneys – clamoring for their attention. These clients may find it challenging or impossible to determine who might best help them with their specific problems. For these reasons, attorneys who wish to engage in special needs planning must develop plans that will enable them to connect with those families and individuals. The special needs planning attorney needs to be an expert attorney, not an expert about every type of disability. That said, an attorney seeking to represent persons with disabilities or their family members will find it helpful to have a general understanding of the disability that the clients have identified before the clients arrive at their office. This book covers topics from understanding the special needs client, to understanding public benefits, to building a special needs practice.” –from publisher