The Goodson Blogson

December is almost here, which means the law students in your life are preparing for the end of fall classes and their final exams. Since 2009, the Goodson Blogson has put together a small gift idea list for your favorite future lawyers. Attorney/blogger Reid Trautz has already released his annual gift guide for lawyers , which include "the world’s first smart earplugs " by Hush Technology . These Bluetooth earplugs can reduce ambient noise by 30 decibels, and can also be set to play noise-masking sounds in order to reduce up to 40 additional decibels. Although the plugs are designed mainly to help with a better night's sleep (currently they cannot be set to play a user's own music), law students may appreciate the noise-masking features when studying for finals in the library, or trying to catch a mid-flight nap while traveling to callback interviews. If your law student would prefer a more versatile set of noise-cancelling earbuds, check out the brand recommenda...

On Friday, December 4, the Duke University Libraries' Visualization Friday Forum series will host a lunchtime talk by medical illustrator and artist Jennifer McCormick , who creates courtroom exhibits designed to explain complex medical concepts to juries. (Sample case studies are available on her website, Art for Law & Medicine .) The event is co-sponsored by Duke Law School's Academic Technologies department and the Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities & History of Medicine . The Power of Intention in Art and Medicine Jennifer McCormick • Art for Law & Medicine Friday, December 4, 2015 | 12-1pm Duke Hospital Lecture Hall 2003 ( map ) Lunch will be provided Additional details: Data and Visualization Services blog . Medical evidence can be difficult to comprehend for jurors and attorneys alike. In addition to valuable demonstrative evidence by illustrators like Ms. McCormick, a number of resources are available to aid litigators who are handling a c...

Just in time for Election Day, the Federal Election Commission has launched phase one of beta.fec.gov , where it is testing new features for federal campaign finance data. The new site offers a slick new design compared to the long-running FEC Campaign Finance Disclosure Portal , which remains online as well while the beta site is developed. The beta site currently includes a glossary of campaign finance terms, as well as a new look for campaign finance data . Users can search for an overview of an individual candidate or committee, and can also use the Receipts feature to search for an individual or corporate contributor. Candidate information includes a summary of campaign financial operations, as well as links to required filings, such as financial disclosures and statements declaring candidacy. Compare, for example, leading 2016 presidential primary candidates Dr. Ben Carson and Hillary Rodham Clinton . Committee information includes candidates' principal campaign comm...