Latest & Greatest – ABA Trial Preparation Resources

By Bruce W. Felmly

Published by American Bar Association Section of Litigation and First Chair Press (2015)

KF 8915 .F47 2015

In support of its mission of making practical resources available to members of the legal profession, the American Bar Association has published two resources that assist lawyers with trial preparation: Preparing for Trial: 60 Days and Counting and One Hundred Days Before Trial: A Family Lawyer's Guide to Preparation and Strategy.

In his book, Preparing for Trial: 60 Days and Counting, Bruce W. Felmly walks the reader through a trial scenario from the moment the notice setting trial is received to the morning of the trial. Breaking down the 60 days into smaller increments, Felmly explains the tasks that need to or should be performed, such as scheduling, planning trial presentation techniques, conducting mock trials, preparing the pretrial filings, drafting a version of the opening statement, attending the pretrial conference, and preparing the client and witnesses. Following Felmly’s systematic approach will make the task ahead not seem so daunting.

By Steven N. Peskind

Published by the American Bar Association Section of Family Law (2015)

KF 505.5 .P47 2015

For the family lawyer, help comes in the form of Steven Peskind's One Hundred Days Before Trial: A Family Lawyer's Guide to Preparation and Strategy. Peskind guides the reader through the steps and preparations that must be or should be completed during the 100 days leading up to the trial of a family law case. Organized by segments based upon some suggested time periods, the author proposes certain tasks that lawyers should perform. For instance, witnesses, both lay and expert, should ideally be considered 60 days before trial, and 30 days prior to trial would probably be a good time to prepare opening and closing statements and draft any final pretrial motions. At the end of each chapter, there is a checklist to keep track of what has been done and what has yet to be done. This book is a great resource not only for the family lawyer but also for any lawyer who needs a bit of help with staying on track and keeping organized.

Look for both of these titles at the Harris County Law Library!

Latest & Greatest – The 2016 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide

By Sharon D. Nelson, John W. Simek, and Michael C. Maschke

Published by American Bar Association Law Practice Division (2016)

KF 320 .A9 N457 2016

To kick off ABA Resources Month, we are featuring one of the ABA’s annually-updated books, The 2016 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide. Simply because you are a small firm or solo attorney, you are not insulated from the technological advances that are happening around you. In fact, the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct mandate that a lawyer should be competent with relevant technology. Keeping up with technology seems like a cost-prohibitive and daunting task, but the folks at the Law Practice Division of the ABA have made it easier for you with their 2016 Guide. The Guide offers information and recommendations to allow attorneys to find the technological equipment that will give them the most bang for their buck. From hardware to software to smartphones and anything else in between, the Guide takes the guesswork out of purchasing the computer equipment that is most appropriate for your office and business. Not sure which type of case management software is right for you? Turn to Chapter Fourteen to find descriptions of the offerings available. Chapter Fifteen will help you decide which time and billing software is right for you. Confused by cloud computing? Check out Chapter Nineteen for an explanation and some considerations. Want to know more? Come to the Harris County Law Library and look for The 2016 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide in our ABA Resources display or ask for it at the reference desk.

Latest & Greatest – Strategic Legal Research

By Tobin A. Sparling

Published by Wolters Kluwer Law & Business (2015)

KF 240 .S63 2015

The Harris County Law Library is proud to feature the latest edition of Strategic Legal Research: Finding the Information You Need Efficiently and Cost-Effectively by Tobin A. Sparling, a Professor of Law at Houston College of Law (formerly South Texas College of Law). Sparling’s book stands out from other legal research resources in that he stresses a research methodology that focuses on thinking through the issue before jumping in and simply beginning the research. He suggests ten basic steps that will enable you to perform legal research more efficiently and economically. He identifies the advantages and disadvantages of various resources, such as print, in-house electronic, Bloomberg Law, and other internet research sources. Sparling also discusses the common features found in the major research databases like Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law. The remainder of material in the book is dedicated to researching specific resources, such as statutes, court rules, administrative law, and nonlegal authority. Naturally, Sparling devotes some discussion to researching Texas materials and understanding the Texas legal system.

Latest & Greatest – Federal Information Disclosure

By James T. O’Reilly

Published by Thomson Reuters (2016)

KF 5753 .O74 2012

In conjunction with the Law Library’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), we are highlighting some resources that will enhance your understanding of the scope and limitations of FOIA. Sometimes referred to as the “Bible of FOIA,” Federal Information Disclosure answers many questions surrounding the public’s “right to know” and the issue of governmental transparency. From the origins of the Freedom of Information Act with its adoption in 1966 to its inevitable expansion with the Privacy Act (1974), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (1972), and the Government in the Sunshine Act (1976), the author examines all aspects of FOIA as well as court decisions interpreting its provisions. The author explains the procedural aspects of FOIA, including the content of a request, the processing of the request, and the search limitations involved with the requests and addresses FOIA litigation and aspects of judicial review, such as de novo review, summary judgment, and the myriad issues that may arise during this review process. He also discusses the nine statutory exemptions to FOIA and how the courts have routinely interpreted those exemptions.

The author wisely avoids the political facets of FOIA and its progeny by simply explaining the process behind the disclosure of government information and how the United States courts have interpreted the statute and have balanced the public’s “right to know” with the government’s desire from some level of secrecy. His book is meant to be “an essential tool” for the seeker of federal information.