The Goodson Blogson

Working toward a judicial clerkship opportunity, or just want to learn more about the possibilities? The Goodson Law Library has just received the new title Behind the Bench: The Guide to Judicial Clerkships , 2d ed. 2016. Author Debra M. Strauss, a lawyer and former judicial clerk, outlines the types of work that clerks will do, and provides advice on the application and interviewing process. Chapters describe the different types of clerkships in both state and federal court systems, and give tips for choosing the court and judge that will suit you best. Interview advice, and sample questions, are also included. There's also a chapter of research tools for learning more about an individual judge. Additional resources on judge analytics can be found in the recent Goodson Blogson post Judge for Yourself . For more information about researching clerkship opportunities or individual judges, check out the library's research guide to Directories of Courts and Judges or Ask a Libr...

It's hard to believe, but the summer break is only a few weeks away! Once you've navigated the obstacle course of final exams, it's time to get ready for summer employment. Prepare to Practice training If you missed the library's recent presentation in the Career Center's 2L Research Refresher Series, " What to Know Before You Go, " you can access the slides and handout on the Library Workshops and Instruction page. This session gave helpful tips about beginning any research assignment, including: brainstorming search keywords, formulating advanced searches, locating background information in secondary sources, and keeping current with the latest developments in your practice areas. Lexis , Westlaw , and Bloomberg Law will also offer "prepare to practice" or "summer certification" trainings over the next few weeks in the Fite Room, on level 2 of the library. View the Training Calendars and sign up: Bloomberg : April 5-7 Lexis...

The American Bar Association just announced that law students are now eligible for free membership to the ABA . Membership in the Law Student Division provides students with access to ABA publications, member discounts, and continuing legal education (CLE) materials. Students must be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. To join, visit www.americanbar.org/abalawstudents or call the ABA Service Center at 800-285-2221. In addition, Duke Law students might be interested in joining the North Carolina Bar Association , which also provides free registration for currently-enrolled law students. The NCBA membership provides students with free individual accounts to the Fastcase research service (currently also available in a shared IP format through the Goodson Law Library) as well as bar publications and additional membership discounts. To join the NCBA, visit http://www.ncbar.org/members/divisions/law-students . Planning your legal career in a different state? Visit the ...

Last week, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor visited Sesame Street to explain the concept of a "career" to Abby Cadabby. Justice Sotomayor is no stranger to the educational program's young viewers, having previously appeared earlier in 2012 to decide the case of Baby Bear v. Goldilocks. But her latest appearance coincided perfectly with the beginning of interview season for first-year law students, who can undoubtedly relate to Abby's excitement – and confusion – about the many possible career paths that she might choose. While our 1Ls probably don't have a SCOTUS justice on speed-dial, they do have a lot of resources at their disposal to help make their job searches easier. First and foremost is the Duke Law Career Center , whose Career Paths website outlines and describes common professional areas like private practice, public interest, academia, and even international opportunities. The 1L Career Toolkit provides invaluable guidance for each of t...

It’s probably happened to you: maybe you’re searching the libraries’ online catalog . Maybe you’re browsing one of our excellent research guides . Maybe you’re skimming our list of Legal Databases & Links . Wherever you may be looking, once in a while you’ll see an ominous-looking note like “Password is required; see reference desk for assistance.” It’s hardly the end of the world to have to stop and ask for the password (we’re actually very friendly), but these little hurdles can be especially problematic for late-night and weekend researchers. While the library tries to provide easy NetID-based login to its electronic resources, not every database allows us that option, and some have restrictions (such as a limit on access to only current Law School students, faculty and staff) which require a little oversight by staff. One frequent password request at the Goodson Law Library reference desk has always been The Leadership Library , which is featured in our guides to Directories of...

March is usually a turning point in the spring semester, when law students' focus begins to officially shift from schoolwork to summer employment. Whether you’re still on the job market or have an offer in place, the main concern is the same: to stand out from the crowd with your superior skills. The quickest way to make a good impression on your employers? Set yourself apart as a savvy researcher . Surveys of law firms consistently reveal a wide gap between expectation and reality for new associates’ research skills. (See a 2007 Thomson West white paper for one sobering example, finding that new associates overwhelmingly need help conducting cost-effective legal research.) The library has always offered a week or two of “ Research Refresher ” workshops in the spring, in order to help ease the transition from academia to real-world research. This year, though, we’ve teamed up with the Career Center , as well as our LexisNexis and Westlaw campus representatives, to bring you an e...

What did the Facebook page say to the bar examiner? Maybe more than you intended. Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners made waves by announcing that it will investigate the social networking profiles of applicants on a case-by-case basis . (This policy replaced a previous recommendation, which would have required all Florida bar applicants to submit a list of their social networking pages for review.) Will this policy lead other state bar examiners to follow suit? Only time will tell; for now, set those photo albums and status updates to "private". Don't be lulled into a false sense of security after the character & fitness review is complete. Yesterday the New York Times ran a fascinating story about practicing attorneys who have been disciplined for the content of their Facebook profiles and blog posts , including a Florida attorney who was sanctioned for referring to the judge in his case as an "Evil, Unfair Witch." Another attorney in...

Over the summer, LexisNexis and Westlaw traditionally cut off access to student passwords, as law students will use their summer firm’s commercial Lexis and Westlaw accounts. However, students with academic research needs (summer classes, moot court/journal work, research assistantship, etc.) may request an extension of their passwords. LexisNexis passwords may be extended for the following “academic purposes”: "class preparation and assignments; research associated with moot court or law review/law journal; research associated with pursuing a grant or scholarship; service as a research assistant to a professor (either paid or unpaid) ; an unpaid internship, externship or clinic position for school credit " Request a summer extension for LexisNexis at http://www.lexisnexis.com/lawschool/content.aspx?articleid=308&topicid=50 . Westlaw passwords may be extended for the following purposes: “Summer law school classes; Law Review and Journal work; Project for a professor; ...

Most legal job-seekers already know how to carefully craft resumes and cover letters, and that they must dress-- and behave-- professionally at interviews and call-backs. But it’s how they behave in their "off" time that may ultimately cost them the job: last year, nearly a quarter of hiring managers surveyed by CareerBuilder.com admitted to investigating candidate profiles on social networks and other websites; of these employers, one-third had declined to interview or hire a candidate based upon what they found. ( Full Story ) Suddenly haunted by that Facebook photo album from last year’s Halloween party? Worried about all those spirited debates you had on that geeky listserv back in college? Looking up resources to legally change your name? Hold on! The Goodson Blogson is here to help you clear your good name. 1. Google thyself. See what potential employers will see. Put your name in quotation marks; experiment with and without your middle initial. If you have a very commo...

The classes of 2009 and 2010 received an e-mail on Wednesday, Feb. 18, asking for input in the library's Summer Research Experience survey. Responses to this survey will help the library's reference staff design this spring's Research Refreshers, our annual series of classes intended to help law students transition to conducting legal research in an employment setting. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes of your time, and your input is extremely valuable! Check your inbox for the link to the survey; if you are a 2L or 3L who did not receive the e-mail, please contact the Reference Desk at ref@law.duke.edu for another copy. Thanks for your participation. Watch for the Research Refresher schedule to be announced soon. Classes will take place after Spring Break.

Did you suffer through Facebook withdrawal at your summer associate job? Law firms who block popular social-networking sites in an effort to decrease employee distractions may need to revisit this policy soon, as some familiar legal sites begin to incorporate social components. Fresh from an announcement last month that its powerful legal directory Martindale.com will now feature contact information from professional networking juggernaut LinkedIn as part of its search results, parent company LexisNexis is also testing a separate service called Martindale-Hubbell Connected . Similar to LinkedIn, with a focus on the legal community, Martindale-Hubbell Connected has the potential to increase an attorney’s visibility and professional network exponentially. Read a review from an early visitor , and register to test this beta service yourself . Additionally, the research system Casemaker (an alternative to Lexis and Westlaw which is included in the membership of 28 selected state b...