Latest & Greatest – Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers

By Sheila M. Blackford & Donna S. M. Neff

Published by American Bar Association Law Practice Division (2014)

KF 318 .B53 2014

Joining the other titles in this series, Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers introduces the solo or small-firm attorney to the art of becoming less dependent on paper and becoming more comfortable with the idea of going paperless. Organized as a series of lessons, this book guides the lawyer through the process of transitioning to a digital office. The authors discuss the hardware and software needed to better enable the change, cloud-based storage, and useful apps that will make it easier for lawyers to go paperless. In addition, the authors offer some suggestions on procedures and protocols that allow attorneys to manage the documents that are now stored digitally. They even explain how to create an electronic signature and an authenticated digital signature. (Yes, there is a difference. Check out Lesson 7 for the explanation). Also, because client information will most likely be involved in the transition to go paperless, there is a lesson devoted to ethical considerations. In the back of the book, there is a listing of many useful books, blogs, publications, and websites that could help in the quest to dig yourself out from under all of those paper piles.

So, what are you waiting for? Why drown in all of the paper? Learn to ditch the paper in 60 minutes with Paperless in One Hour for Lawyers.

Latest & Greatest – Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers

By David G. Ries, Sharon D. Nelson, and John W. Simek

Published by ABA Law Practice Division

QA 76.9 .A25 N455 2015

Seeking to take the fear out of encryption and what it entails, the authors of Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers set upon the task of proving that encrypting information is not as complicated and difficult as it may seem to those not fully versed in the language of “techspeak”. From its earliest forms, e.g. ciphers and secret decoder rings, encryption has been used to make communications secret and secure, and in this age of cyberterrorism and data breaches, understanding how to encrypt confidential information has taken on even greater importance. The authors begin by explaining, in simple terms, the basics of encryption technology, such as the Data Encryption Standard algorithm, digital certificates, and symmetric and asymmetric encryption before discussing the nuances of encrypting laptops and desktops, smartphones, and portable drives. The authors also stress the need to protect data as it travels through various networks or into the cloud as well as the practicality of securing individual documents.

If you don’t think that you need to encrypt or further secure your documents, you may be mistaken. As the authors readily point out: lawyers have an ethical obligation to keep communications confidential. Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers can help you perform that duty or, at a minimum, convince you that you need to obtain the services of a qualified professional. Don’t wait until a data breach to take action.

Immigration Law Resource Month

In October, we at the Harris County Law Library are continuing to highlight our collection of immigration law resources. Throughout the month, we will feature materials, in the library an online, to assist you in conducting research and learning about immigration law in the United States.

Several new immigration law resources are now on our shelves, including the 15th edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, and the 17th edition of U.S. Immigration Made Easy, published by Nolo Press. On Westlaw, you can access the latest immigration news and analysis, as well as immigration law treatises, and official immigration forms. Lexis provides additional access to popular immigration titles, including Benders Immigration Law Bulletin and Benders Immigration Case Reporter. Both Westlaw and Lexis can be accessed on our computers in the Law Library.

These titles are just a few of the immigration law items in our collection. Additional resources will be featured throughout the month in the Law Library and on our blog.

Latest & Greatest - Social Media and Local Governments: Navigating the New Public Square

By Patricia E. Salkin & Julie A. Tappendorf

Published by the American Bar Association. Section of State and Local Government Law

KF 5300 .S63 2013

With more widespread use of social media in the workplace, it is imperative that attorneys in both the public and private sectors understand the opportunities it offers in the form of marketing and the dissemination of information and the challenges it presents in terms of ensuring the reliability of the information provided and of maintaining confidentiality where required.  Written for attorneys who work in the public sector, Social Media and Local Governments: Navigating the New Public Square explains the benefits and pitfalls that this ubiquitous technology can present. From its practical uses in the government context to legal questions, the authors cover all aspects of social media to allow government attorneys make informed decisions regarding the implementation of social media policies for its employees and the establishment and maintenance of its own online presence. This book is a must-read for any government lawyer exploring the use of social media for its own purposes.

Immigration Law and Internment Camps in Texas - a digital exhibit

As part of this year's Gulf Coast Reads program, the Law Library will hold a three-part lecture series during the month of October and display exhibits focusing on the legal aspects of this year's featured work - The Train to Crystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell. Exhibits include statues and case law discussed in the book as well as proclamations made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that made the family internment camp at Crystal City, Texas possible. As an added bit of historical interest, the exhibited volumes of U.S. Statutes at Large containing FDR's proclamation have been in the Law Library's collection since the early 1940s, which makes them contemporary artifacts from the World War II legal environment discussed in The Train to Crystal City.

Visit our downtown Houston location to see the exhibits in person or check out our digital exhibit now available on our website.