Congratulations to the Class of 2014

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2014.  You worked hard and the past three years have gone by quickly.  Perhaps more quickly than you anticipated when you started law school.  We wish success for you and fulfilled lives. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: Accounting Policy and Practice Report (BNA)

If you are interested in a report that offers a comprehensive array of analysis, news, primary sources, and practice tools covering federal, international, and state tax issues and financial accounting, take a look at BNA's Accounting Policy and Practice Report. The Report also provides ongoing accounting pronouncements from FASB, AICPA etc., information on topics of fast-changing accounting policy like internal controls, revenue recognition and more.  Coverage dates back to October 2005.

To access the Accounting Policy and Practice Report (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Tax and Estate Planning" link
• Scroll down to "Accounting Policy and Practice Report (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Black's Law Dictionary: New 10th Edition

On May 9, Thomson Reuters released the new 10th edition of Black's Law Dictionary.  This is the fourth edition produced by editor-in-chief Bryan Garner, a legal lexicographer and Distinguished Research Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.  The new edition has over 7,500 new terms, including "affluenza defense" and "intrapreneur," many new terms from technology, and more than twice as many sources and illustrative quotations for terms than the previous edition.  It continues to include the U.S. Constitution, the Federal Circuit map, and other key reference sources for law students and attorneys.

Print copies can be purchased from the publisher, and will soon be available in libraries. It will take a little longer for digital versions to arrive. An app for the 10th edition and availability on WestlawNext are planned for early 2015.  To learn more about the evolution of the famous dictionary and the claim that the first edition, published in 1891, was initially written as a joke by attorney Henry Campbell Black, check out this recent post on Thomson Reuters' Legal Solutions Blog.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Summer time

And yes, I hope the living will be easier (apologies to George Gershwin).  Nonetheless the Library will be open for those of you taking Summer classes, studying for the bar or wanting to visit your favorite Reference librarian.  The hours will be:

Mon-Thurs   8am - 6pm
Fri               8am - 5pm
Sat - Sun   10am - 6pm

See Reference librarian hours to see when you can visit your favorite librarians.

Enjoy the warm weather (if it ever gets here).

Congrats to 3Ls - YOU MADE IT !!!!


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Google, Europe, And The Right To Be Forgotten

In a decision handed down this week, the Court of Justice of the European Union supported "the right to be forgotten". The Court ordered Google to delete upon request search results that were shown to be “inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant”. Read more here, and see also this New York Times editorial.

Further, it seems that the take-down requests have already begun, as discussed here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

2014 Bar Study Policies

Hofstra Graduates

January and May JD graduates have 24/7 swipe access to the library from May 14 – July 30 for Bar study.  If you are a Hofstra graduate and experience a problem with their swipe card, please send an email to lawlibrary@hofstra.edu. 

Non Hofstra Graduates

Non-Hofstra Law graduates who are taking a bar review course at Hofstra Law in preparation for a summer or winter bar exam must purchase passes for bar study access.

Passes are available at the Circulation Desk, and individuals must present their bar review course ID and proof of identity at the time of purchase. Bar Study Passes are not transferable, and the Library reserves the right to limit the number of passes it makes available for sale.

Each Bar Study Pass is $50 and provides access from the time of purchase (no earlier than the end of the Hofstra Law spring semester exam period for the summer bar, and no earlier than the end of the Hofstra Law fall semester exam period for the winter bar). Payment can be in cash or by check made payable to “Hofstra University.”

Access to Other Law Schools

An access policies chart for summer 2014 Bar study at LI and NYC law schools are available at the Circulation Desk.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New Book: Twitter for Lawyers

Twitter in One Hour For Lawyers by Jared Correia (KF320 .I57 C67) focuses on the difficult task of making social media appropriate and profitable for a lawyer.  From how to optimize your profile to maintaining professional and interesting communication with your followers, this book covers topics of interest to both new lawyers just starting to market themselves and experienced lawyers who want to avoid social media pitfalls.

Check it out now at the Hofstra Law Library's new book table!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

"Big Data" Report

On May 1, the White House released a major report on technology, innovation and privacy: "Big Data: Seizing Opportunities, Preserving Values." The report is based on a 90-day study examining "how big data will transform the way we live and work and alter the relationships between government, citizens, businesses, and consumers."  "Big Data" makes a number of specific recommendations to the President in an attempt to "present solutions that can enhance accountability, privacy, and the rights of citizens" while at the same time focusing on "how the public and private sectors can maximize the benefits of big data while minimizing its risks." Presented and endorsed by a working group of cabinet members and high level officials headed by John Podesta, the President's Counsel, the recommendations include advancing the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and amending the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. Sec. 2510-22) to ensure protection for modern digital content.

The White House web site provides both a brief summary of findings and a fact sheet for the "Big Data" report. The assessment of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which advocates for electronic privacy rights, is here.




Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

More constitutional upheaval in NY?

Moving from satanic statues to more mundane voting statutes, Gov. Cuomo has signed legislation (S3149) to enter New York in an interstate agreement to award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the majority of the popular vote. 

The National Popular Vote agreement is triggered when 270 electoral votes are reached, enough to give the states who signed the compact a majority of the electoral votes.  The National Popular Vote law has been enacted by 11 jurisdictions possessing 165 electoral votes — 61% of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate it.


Hat tip: Long Island Business News
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Satanic Statue Proposal To Test The First Amendment?

New York-based Satanic Temple members have proposed to erect a bronze and stone satanic sculpture outside the Oklahoma State Capitol building. The sculpture was commissioned to counter a monument of the Ten Commandments that was installed outside the Oklahoma Capitol building in 2012. The ACLU is now involved. Curious? Then read more here.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat