The case is U.S. V. Windsor.  Do you know the facts?  Read the parties' briefs on WestlawNext.

Brief for Plaintiff-Appellee

Brief for Defendant-Appellant

Also, see many other Amicus Curiae briefs and the Petition for Writ of Certiorari. 

Once logged in to WestlawNext, select "Briefs" from the "All Content" tab on the homepage.

Type the search string "US v. Windsor & DOMA."

How do you think the case will be decided?  What was the legislative intent?

Will they actually reach a decision on the merits - under Equal Protections, 10th Amendment state police power, dismissed for lack of standing?

morguefile.com

Lance Armstrong’s wealth is estimated to be $100 million but after his confession in Oprah’s interview that will probably need to be recalculated. Read more about the real and potential lawsuits involving Armstrong in this NPR article.

Interested in learning more about Lance Armstrong’s legal woes and his career?  Take a look at ProQuest eLibrary for news articles, transcripts, and pictures. Don’t forget that WestlawNext and Lexis  also have legal and general news files.  Or, for assistance finding other authoritative news sources stop by the Legal Research Help Desk.

Image Source (morguefile.com)

Cats substantially impact interstate commerce according to a recent 13 page opinion by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling discussed by the ABA Journal. The court ruled that the cats living at author Ernest Hemingway's museum/home are subject to federal regulation.  In Constitutional Law, law students learn that the Commerce Clause regulates instruments, channels, and things (including cats?) that substantially impact commerce.  The cats are the offspring of the author's famous six-toed cat, Snowball.  Judge Dubina, writing for the majority, reasoned that the presence of the cats draws people to the museum as an exhibition.  Thus, they are an important part of the museum's commercial activity and therefore subject to regulation by Congress.

If you are interested in learning more about constitutional law, take a look in the library catalog.  Or, stop by the Legal Research Help Desk for assistance with formulating a research strategy. 

Meow!

-Kristin

Saw this neat blog post today, titled "What I Bring to Court" from the Lawyerist.com. It discusses going paperless to court.

The Lawyerist blog has lots of great posts on legal technology, as well as starting your own firm/hanging up your own shingle. Check it out!

Image from Sean MacEntree via Flickr.com

Are you interested in popular, media-worthy, case information from the Federal Courts of Appeals? Check out this resource from the ABA:

http://www2.americanbar.org/SCFJI/Pages/MediaAlertsOnFederalCircuitCourts.aspx

Here's the 9th circuit: http://www2.americanbar.org/SCFJI/Pages/CaseSummaries9thCircuit.aspx

Basically the cases chosen are ones that are more for the public interest- they are expected to be talked about in the news. They are summarized by law professors and law students. It doesn't yet cover all circuits but the majority are there.