Things are stirring up when it involves social media and the law...

Check out this article regarding private Facebook posts being mined by defense lawyers. This seems to be a new litigation tactic. Hat tip to Slashdot.  

From reading the article above I discovered Westlaw News & Insight Beta. Looks like a promising place for legal news. Some of the articles have links to Westlaw for ease to view the cases.

And... it appears to have happened yet again, jurors doing their own research. Only this time a librarian juror was a bit too interested in doing her own research for a case. We've discussed this before how jurors are more often doing their own research about a case because it has become so easy for them to do so with their cell phones and Internet capabilities at home. Here's another article I found on this topic.

What do you think should be done? Comment below!

When you return to Phoenix Law in 2011, ready to start the new year fresh, don't be caught off guard by the change from Westlaw to WestlawNext! You will still have access to "classic" Westlaw, but now the option to use WestlawNext will be available. Also, some searches in Westlaw will send you to WestlawNext. We want you to be prepared! So here's the scoop!

How to access WestlawNext:

Log-in to Westlaw as you normally would, but then choose WestlawNext at the very top of the screen:

Also, if you conduct your searches using the Legal Research Center (in the middle of the page after you login), your results will automatically be retrieved using WestlawNext:

PLEASE NOTE: Currently you cannot print to the Westlaw printer using WestlawNext!

Choose another printer in the meantime. 

View this PDF for tips on how to get around the printing issue.

What does WestlawNext look like?

With a single search box, you don't have to select a database to begin a search. No need to truncate words or use connectors either, but you can if you like. The single search box doesn't mind. Just type in what you're looking for and select a jurisdiction. 

The results will be returned by relevancy and sorted into categories for ease of use.

Wait! I like to limit and use terms & connectors!

The single search box allows you to enter terms & connectors if you'd like, and you still have the option of limiting your search ahead of time:

Also, the Advanced Search feature...

...will help you build a Boolean Terms & Connectors query:

So... test it out! Get familiar with the interface so you can be an efficient researcher!

Need help?

• Don't hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance with the new interface! Email us or call us at 602.682.6898. Visit the reference desk in the law library during the hours librarians are available for reference.
• There are trainings and user guides online that are extremely helpful. Once you've signed into Westlaw under the Home tab choose either "User Guides" or "Training" and follow the prompts to WestlawNext.

• Suggestions of helpful User Guides:
  • Comparing Westlaw and WestlawNext
  • How to Find Cases with WestlawNext
  • Terms & Connectors Searching with WestlawNext
  • Using Folders to Organize Your Research with WestlawNext
  • Delivering Documents with WestlawNext (alternatives to printing)
• Visit the West eLearning Center to watch videos about WestlawNext.

Enjoy your holidays, and look forward to the changes in January!

(All images used belong to Thomson Reuters)

Picture source: PSL Docket 11-19-10

Happy Monday everyone!

Did you know you can access the Phoenix Law Review online? Head over to the Phoenix Law homepage, select Academics, and then select Law Review. Or for direct access click here. Read volumes 1 and 2, and volume 3 which is issued in two parts: Arizona Government and Legal Education. This is a valuable resource, as HeinOnline only has volume 1 of the Phoenix Law Review and Westlaw and LexisNexis do not have the publication at all.

Also, the Phoenix Law Review is having a Spring 2011 Write-On Competition. This competition is open to all students who have completed at least 25 credit hours by the end of summer classes, have at least two semesters of law school left, have completed Lawyering Process 1 & 2, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50. If you are interested in entering the competition, add the Phoenix Law Review Spring 2011 Write-On Competition TWEN page (must have access to Westlaw and be a PSL student to do so). Details for how to enter will be on the TWEN page at 1:00 PM on December 11, 2010.

Enjoy the short week & read the Phoenix Law Review during the long weekend!

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Westlaw and Lexis Q & A workshops have been cancelled for Friday, November 5th 2010. The FastCase workshop is still scheduled at Noon.

If you have any questions about Westlaw or Lexis, feel free to contact Koviena Nelson at (602) 682-6843 or Kristin Moye (602) 682-6883 to arrange a meeting. A meeting will count as attendance at the cancelled workshop. As always, you can contact the reference desk at (602) 682-6898 or by email.

Thanks for your understanding!

Picture source

Are you an alumni of Phoenix Law and a current member of the State Bar of Arizona? Are you a current student at Phoenix Law and plan to be a member of the bar in the future?

Come learn all about FastCase! This SRU Workshop open to all students, faculty, and alumni, will help you discover an affordable alternative to Westlaw and Lexis that firms use to conduct research of a variety of legal resources including cases, statutes, and secondary sources. FastCase is also free to those who are members of the State Bar of Arizona.

Details: Friday, November 5th, 2010 at Noon in the Teaching/Computer Lab on the 2nd floor of the Tower.

Please note, this is our last FastCase workshop for the semester!

RSVP is not required, but is available.

Questions? Email or call (602) 682-6898.