Don’t forget legal dictionaries

Legal dictionaries aren’t just for defining legal terms. Researchers can also use them to determine what an abbreviation stands for, where a phrase comes from, synonyms, and in some instances - citations to cases or other legal research resources.

Legal dictionaries are located in the ready reference section of the Law Library (next to the reference desk), on a podium on the second floor (opposite the stairwell), and online.

In Westlaw, researchers can access Black’s Law Dictionary, the Mexican Legal Dictionary, Norton’s Bankruptcy Dictionary and others. In LexisNexis, researchers can access a variety of legal dictionaries including Ballentine’s Law Dictionary, Bieber’s Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations, and the Modern Dictionary for the Legal Profession to name a few (greater detail about LexisNexis’ legal dictionary access can be located here). Researchers can also access several free online legal dictionaries from websites like Law.com, FindLaw.com, or Cornell’s Legal Information Institute.

ABA Blawgs

While you are away for the summer, you can stay up-to-date on legal trends by following one or more of the many ABA Blawgs. Blawgs or Blogs are a great way to get information on current trends. Blawgs are also a good source of inspiration for seminar paper topics. A list of ABA Blawgs by topic can be found here.

JOIN ALL4JDs!!!!

Are you looking for some additional practice MBE questions? Or maybe some practice essays? Well join ALL4JDs(www.all4jds.com)
ALL4JDs is a discussion forum where you can interact with other bar takers. You can ask bar questions and gain access to a wealth of student posted bar exam resources such as MPRE Outlines, Bar Exam Outlines, Bar Exam Mnemonics and Sample Bar Exams.

If you know of any additional helpful bar resources or websites feel free to email them to craiford@nccu.edu

Training your brain for the bar exam

The Lawyerist recently published an article comparing studying for the bar to running a marathon. The author offers a good deal of useful advice for those of you studying for the biggest exam of your law school career. See below for a brief summary or check out the full article here.

• Train in Intervals - Runners use short bursts of hard work partnered with rest to reach their goals. You should too. Study hard, but remember to take breaks. If you've worked on a subject you find difficult for a few hours, go out and do something you enjoy for a little bit before you start studying a new topic. Your brain needs some down time to process the information you are forcing into it.
• Have the Right Equipment - Runners have special shoes, clothing, gadgets and more to help them train for peak performance. Take some time before the bar exam to make sure you do too. Ensure that your computer (if you are using it to take the bar exam) is working properly and you've properly loaded the exam software. You'll be happy you did come bar exam time.
• Run Hills - Runners can't just do easy workouts and achieve greatness. They need to incorporate running tough hills into the mix to make sure they can truly perform. When studying for the bar, don't just focus on the easy topics and questions. Challenge yourself. Work through the tough essay and multiple choice questions. If you prepare for the hardest test the bar examiners can throw your way, you know you'll be prepared for the actual exam.
• Rest - Any athlete can tell you that your body needs down time when training for an event. So does your brain. Take a night or afternoon off from time to time and visit with friends, go to the movies, or read a book or magazine unrelated to the law. Rest can make you stronger and help you retain more vital information.
• Don't Try New Things On Exam Day! - Come exam day, do not try new things. Don't try a new route to the exam site, eat a breakfast you don't know if you'll like, or alter your routine in any way. The more routine you can make exam days the better. You will have less to stress about and be able to focus exclusively on your big exam.

Study hard and good luck!

THOMAS.GOV

If you are at a job or working for a professor who needs bills, the congressional record, or other government documents, don't forget that THOMAS.GOV is a great resource and it is free! You can also access an unofficial version of the U.S. Code on their website.

Interested in working with veterans?

For those of you interested in working with veterans, the ABA has a new portal called ABA Home Front. This portal provides information for veterans and lawyers assisting veterans on topics such as legal programs for veterans, information about about the Military Pro Bono Center, and an information center for the families of service members. The ABA will continue adding to this portal in the future, making it a valuable resource for both service members and individuals providing legal assistance to service members.

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