Author: Chi Song

Categories
lawlibrary Legal Technology

What’s a .law domain?

Untitled drawingThe Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)* granted Minds + Machines, a Santa Monica, California company, with an exclusive license to operate .law as a new top-level domain. This new domain is only available to attorneys and law firms. Anyone who applies for a .law domain must certify that he or she is an attorney and submit to a verification process. Minds + Machines started taking orders last month, and some prominent, large law firms have signed up as early adopters.

For more information, check out these sites and articles.

Stay tuned for news regarding other possible new domains in the future, such as .esq and .lawyer.

*Created in 1998, ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for the coordination of namespaces on the Internet. For more information about ICANN, check out https://www.icann.org/.

Categories
Attorney Training lawlibrary

Google Scholar for Case Law Research

The Law Library provides its users with free access to various online legal databases. However, library users must use these resources in-person at the Law Library. For those of you who would like to conduct legal research at home, one free option is Google Scholar.

To learn how to research cases on Google Scholar, check out these resources, which provide overviews of basic and advanced legal research features on Google Scholar.

Although Google Scholar can be a good resource, there are limitations, such as the reliability of case citations, access to statutes and regulations, and time delays in the availability of recent cases.  

For more information about case law research generally, check out our earlier blog post. In addition, contact us at the Law Library, and we can assist you with your case law research!

Categories
lawlibrary Maryland Law

Uniform Subpoenas

As of July 1, 2015, Maryland subpoenas will be uniform throughout the state of Maryland as the Maryland Judiciary has launched a new uniform subpoena form. To learn more about the uniform subpoenas, check out Maryland Rules 2-510, 3-510, 4-265 and 4-266.

Attorneys! Are you registered to e-file? If so, then you can access the uniform subpoenas electronically! The uniform subpoena will print with the appropriate court seal and Clerk’s signature. If you have not already registered to e-file, you can do so here.
Self-represented litigants can still obtain paper subpoena forms at the appropriate courthouse. Self-represented litigants can learn more about discovery here or contact the Law Library.

Categories
lawlibrary

Newly Cataloged Materials!

IMG_1564Check out these new materials, which were recently added to the Law Library’s collection.

Adoption Law and Practice edited by Joan H. Hollinger et al. (KF545 .A93 1988): Published by Matthew Bender, this new addition to the Law Library’s collection is a comprehensive adoption law resource whose coverage includes information related to interstate, state-federal and international adoptions as well as current, adoption issues, such as consent/relinquishment by birth parents, adoption children with special needs, and surrogate parenting.

Cloud Computing Legal Deskbook edited by Gregory Barbee (KF390.5.C6C565 2015): This resource for practitioners, published by Thomson Reuters, addresses topics ranging from the basics of cloud computers and cybersecurity to attorney-client privilege and virtual jurisdiction.

Magna Carta: Muse & Mentor edited by Randy J. Holland with a foreword by John G. Roberts, Jr., Chief Justice of the United States (KD3946 .M346 2014): 2015 marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, which was issued by King John of England in 1215. Magna Carta: Muse & Mentor, published by the Library of Congress and Thomson Reuters, is a collection of illustrated essays by legal scholars, including Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, that examine topics related to the Magna Carta, such as the Magna Carta and the United States Constitution, the Right to a Jury Trial, and Due Process of Law.

MSBA Maryland Employment Law Deskbook edited by Rebecca n. Strandberg (KFM1531 .M83 2014): Published by the Maryland State Bar Association, this publication provides information and guidance for both plaintiffs and defendants involved in employment law matters. Topics include state and local fair employment practice, discrimination, the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law, the Maryland Wage and Hour Law, and U.S. Immigration.

If you have any questions about these materials or would like additional information, please contact us!

Categories
Attorney Training

Attorney Training Opportunity

photo 3 (2)On September 2, 2015, there will be a free training and pro bono opportunity for attorneys to improve with legal writing in plain English skills.

When: Wednesday, September 2, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Judiciary Education and Conference Center
2011D Commerce Park Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
Registration:  You must RSVP by August 21, 2015 at pll.eventbrite.com.

 

For more information about this training opportunity, check out this page on the People’s Law Library of Maryland .

Categories
Attorney Training lawlibrary

Farewell, Westlaw Classic

Westlaw Classic is coming to an end, and all Westlaw users will be migrated to WestlawNext. At the Law Library, the sunset date is September 10, 2015. Starting on that date, anyone who attempts to access Westlaw Classic at the Law Library or the Circuit Courthouse will be automatically redirected to WestlawNext at http://next.westlaw.com.

If you are new to WestlawNext, there are self-paced training options available online. These self-paced training programs include general guides that provide an overview of WestlawNext, searching on WestlawNext and browsing on WestlawNext. Advanced, targeted trainings, such as form finder training, are also available. In addition, the Law Library is available to assist you with your online WestlawNext research.
If you want to learn more about WestlawNext or online legal databases, check out our blog posts here.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Foreclosure Clinic Wrap-Up

mvls-logoLast week, the Law Library hosted its second Foreclosure Clinic. Thank you, Lonni Summers, Susan Mays, Diane Wessel, and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) for providing this much-needed service to Maryland’s self-represented litigants.

The next clinic date is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. individuals are served on a first-come, first-served basis. Consultations are usually twenty minutes. Please sign up, in-person, at the Law Library’s main service desk on September 16, 2015.

We recommend that you prepare for your meeting with the attorney. Here are a few suggestions.

  • Bring all your paperwork or other information related to the foreclosure.
  • Write a list of specific questions.Organize your paperwork from most recent on top to oldest on bottom.
  • Write a list of specific questions.
  • Prepare a timeline of your matter, including any deadlines.

If you need assistance prior to September 16, 2015, check out these resources.

  • Civil Justice – Civil Justice provides Marylanders with foreclosure assistance. Check out their website or call them at 410-706-0174 for more information.
  • Foreclosure Mediation Brief Advice Project – This is a free clinic open to homeowners facing foreclosure without legal representation. For information about the Foreclosure Mediation Brief Advice project, check out our blog post from earlier this year.
  • Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) – MVLS may be able to represent you in your foreclosure matter. Call MVLS at 410-547-6537 for more information.

You can find a list of additional assistance resources at the People’s Law Library.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

photo 1 (3)
Thank you Chris!

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes. No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk. Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you, Chris Boucher of Christopher Boucher, Esq., LLC, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Eight people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues related to appeals, property, unpaid wages and business issues. The next program date is Wednesday, August 19, 2015.

Do you have a criminal law matter? Criminal Law matters are best addressed by the Office of the Public Defender. Information about the Office of the Public Defender is available at http://www.opd.state.md.us/.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library. The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service. The program is not a substitute for representation. If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
 
Categories
lawlibrary

Juror Phone Scam Alert!

Recently, the Anne Arundel County Sherriff’s Office has warned of a phone scam where individuals posing as members of the Sheriff’s Office have demanded payment over the phone in connection with jury service at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court. Be wary of these calls as the Circuit Court will never contact you to demand immediate payment over the phone.

To confirm information related to jury service at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, please contact the Jury Office at (410) 222-1400. General information for jurors is available on the Circuit Court’s website.

For more information, please read this news release from the Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Free Legal Advice About Foreclosure Next Week!

mvls-logoWhen? Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where? The clinic will be held at the Law Library, located on the third floor of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County at 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, Maryland. The Law Library’s suite number is 303. You can ask for directions to the Law Library at the Courthouse’s Information Desk.

Who? This is open to the public. However, if you already have an attorney representing you in the foreclosure matter, then the volunteer attorney CANNOT assist you.

How do I sign up? Please sign-up at the Law Library’s main service desk. Individuals will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to prepare for your meeting with the attorney? Here are a few suggestions for how to prepare for your consultation.

  • Bring all your paperwork or other information related to the foreclosure.
  • Write a list of specific questions.Organize your paperwork from most recent on top to oldest on bottom.
  • Write a list of specific questions.
  • Prepare a timeline of your matter, including any deadlines.

Please note that the attorneys will NOT represent you in court or at mediation! For more information, please contact the Law Library.