While our library has an excellent collection of court reports, statutes, regulations, law reviews and treatises, we also have several special collections that are briefly described below in order to give the BLS community a picture of the true wealth of the library’s holdings.

Archives: The archival material of the law school is housed in the library cellar in room C38. This collection contains law school bulletins, yearbooks, commencement programs, class pictures, centennial memorabilia, BLS newspapers and newsletters and other material back to the founding of the school over a century ago. To access this collection, please see a reference librarian.

Faculty Publications: While some books written by the faculty are available in the lower level main collection and law review articles are available in Hein Online, Lexis, Westlaw and the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), the library keeps a copy of all faculty-authored books, book chapters and law review articles in a secure storage collection. If you are unable to locate an article, book or book chapter written by a member of the faculty, please ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Government Documents: Our library is a depository for United States government documents, as are over 1,200 libraries throughout the United States. While we select a small percentage of documents in print, more and more depository items are now available electronically. This change in depository distribution allows the public to view these items from their homes and offices as well as from libraries if they do not have home or office access to a computer. As part of our membership in the depository program, we allow members of the public access to our electronic and print documents with no entry restrictions. Reference Librarian Rosemary Campagna supervises the depository collection and provides reference assistance.

Joint International Law Project: The Joint International Law Project (JILP) was begun in 1983 as a shared collection of international law resources among the libraries of the City University of New York School of Law (CUNY), New York Law School (NYLS) and Brooklyn Law School. When the project began each library acquired a core collection of international materials in predetermined areas of international law that were agreed upon by the participants. For example, New York Law School was primarily responsible for European Union materials, Brooklyn Law School for United Nations materials and CUNY Law School for materials on developing countries.

For the past several years, due to a variety of circumstances, the libraries have moved away from the collective decision making on purchases in international law, allowing libraries to continue their commitment to international law but permitting each library to purchase whatever material it wants and needs. The directors of the three libraries are looking for new ways to work together in the area of international cooperative collection development, but one thing remains the same—open access. Members of the BLS community have access to the libraries of CUNY and NYLS by just showing a valid BLS ID card upon entering either of our partner libraries and we reciprocate for students and faculty of New York Law School and CUNY Law School.

Sobel Collection & Rare Books: The library has a collection of hundreds of rare books ranging from treatises such as Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, Wigmore on Evidence, Yearbooks of the Selden Society, and Howell’s State Trials, but we also have an another impressive collection of rare books given to the library by the late Judge Nathan R. Sobel of the Brooklyn Supreme Court in 1996. When the Court could no longer maintain this collection, Judge Sobel offered it to BLS and the books were transferred to the renovated BLS library and shelved in rare book cases on the second mezzanine. This collection covers a wealth of topics, including trials, biographies, both English and U.S. legal history, American reports and digests and New York City and Brooklyn law-related materials.

All the material in both the general rare book collection and the Sobel collection are cataloged and listed in SARA, our online catalog. Since these valuable collections are kept in locked cases on the second floor, second mezzanine and third floor of the library, users must ask a member of the library staff at the circulation desk to retrieve these materials. All of the items are also non-circulating, but they are available for use during all regular library hours.

The US Supreme Court decision Morrison v. National Australia Bank is worth reading for the differing views of the role of the courts expressed by Justice Scalia in the majority opinion and Justice Stevens in his concurrence. Justice Scalia forcefully ruled that §10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and associated Rule 10b-5) have no international reach and found a presumption against extraterritoriality. Justice Stevens called the presumption against extraterritoriality a nice catchphrase that overstates the point saying: “The presumption against extraterritoriality can be useful as a theory of congressional purpose, a tool for managing international conflict, a background norm, a tiebreaker. It does not relieve courts of their duty to give statutes the most faithful reading possible.”

The case involved a private civil suit alleging securities fraud in a transaction that took place mostly in Australia with some minor US conduct. Eight Justices affirmed the Southern District of New York dismissal of the claim which the Second Circuit subsequently affirmed. But Justice Scalia’s opinion went on to criticize a general approach that has been the law in the Second Circuit, and most of the rest of the country, for nearly four decades. Justices Breyer, Stephens and Ginsberg joined in concurring opinions. Justice Sotomayor did not participate.

Justice Scalia’s 24 page opinion on the extraterritorial reach of the §10b noted that it is a “longstanding principle of American law ‘that legislation of Congress, unless a contrary intent appears, is meant to apply only within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.'” It also said “When a statute gives no clear indication of an extraterritorial application, it has none.” The ruling strongly criticized the New York-based Second Circuit for relying on a 1968 opinion Schoenbaum v. Firstbrook, 405 F. 2d 200 to use a conduct-and-effects test which asked “(1) whether the wrongful conduct occurred in the Unites States, and (2) whether the wrongful conduct had a substantial effect in the United States or upon United States citizens.” The conduct-and-effects test sought to ascertain what Congress would have done if it had addressed the eventual internationalization of the securities markets. Instead, Justice Scalia formulated a “transactional test” under §10(b), saying that it forbids not all deceptive conduct, but only deceptive conduct “in connection with the purchase or sale of any security registered on a national securities exchange or on any security not so registered.” Finding the statutory focus to be the “purchase and sale transactions,” he concluded that §10(b) applied to “transactions in securities listed on domestic exchanges, and domestic transactions in other securities.”

Today’s securities market is international in scope with few cases that are either wholly foreign or wholly domestic. The “transactional test” may leave unprotected US citizens who purchase or sell securities outside the United States as well as foreign citizens trading abroad who are victims of domestic conduct perpetrated by Americans over whom foreign courts may lack personal jurisdiction. Interestingly, the issue of the extraterritorial reach of US securities law is part of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, the financial reform bill pending in Congress. §7216 of H.R. 4173 provides courts with extraterritorial jurisdiction for “1) conduct within the United States that constitutes significant steps in furtherance of the violation, even if the violation is committed by a foreign adviser and involves only foreign investors; or 2) conduct occurring outside the United States that has a foreseeable substantial effect within the United States.”

For more on the Morrison case, see the post at the Securities Law Prof Blog

This month marks the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the United Nations which took place on June 26, 1945, at the San Francisco Opera House when the UN Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice was adopted unanimously at the end of the United Nations Conference on International Organization. Four months later, it entered into force when the required number of nations ratified the Charter on October 24, 1945 (officially United Nations Day) and the United Nations was established.

The Brooklyn Law School Library reference desk has the two volume Encyclopedia of the United Nations by John Allphin Moore, Jr. and Jerry Pubantz (Call #KZ4968 .M66 2008), a comprehensive guide to the UN’s institutions, procedures, policies, agencies, historical personalities, initiatives, and involvement in world affairs. Alphpbetical entries direct readers to additional references for further reading and relevant Web sites. Graphics include captioned black-and-white photographs with charts and graphs. There is a list of acronyms used throughout the text along with appendixes that include the Charter of the United Nations and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a list of the 192 UN member states, important resolutions, a chronology, and UN Web sites. There is also a topically divided selected bibliography and a comprehensive index.

For more on the history of the UN, click on the Procedural History tab of the Historic Archives of the Audiovisual Library of International Law. There is also a video resources link to several films including an 11 minute documentary about the San Francisco Conference produced by the US Information Agency.

One hundred years ago, on June 19, 1910, religious leaders in Spokane, Washington designated the first Father’s Day at the suggestion of 16 year old Sonora Smart Dodd, the “Mother of Father’s Day”. For more history, see the release issued by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau. This year, continuing the tradition of Presidential Proclamations begun by Lyndon Johnson in 1966, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation for Father’s Day 2010. Father’s Day officially became an American holiday on April 24, 1972, to be celebrated the third Sunday in June, after passage of the Father’s Day Act, Public Law 92-278 . The law was codified at 36 U.S.C. §109.



USA.gov has some interesting facts about fathers. For example, the US Census Bureau estimates that there are 67.8 million fathers across the nation and that 25.8 million of them were part of married-couple families with children younger than 18 in 2009. Of the total number of fathers, 22 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18 (among married-couple family households only) and 3 percent lived in someone else’s home. There were 1.7 million single fathers in 2009 and 15 percent of single parents were men.

As “nontraditional” family structures become more common, Father’s Day is a day to honor any nurturing man – a “big brother,” a brother-in-law, an uncle, a neighbor or perhaps another special man who is “like a father”. To all of them, Happy Father’s Day!

The American Association of Law Librarians (AALL) has awarded Robert Malesko, Brooklyn Law School Class of 2011, one of its scholarships from the LexisNexis/John R. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Endowment as part of AALL’s effort to assist individuals to become law librarians. The endowment’s 2010 scholarships went to three recipients: Ronald Fuller of Layton, Utah for a Library Degree for Law School Graduates; Jennifer Ekblaw of Indianapolis, Indiana for a Dual Library Degree and Law Degree and Robert Malesko for a Law Degree for Library School Graduates. See here for more information on the Scholarship Committee. Before attending Brooklyn Law School, Malesko worked for almost five years as a Law Librarian for the California Judicial Center Library in San Francisco. CJCL is the law library of both the California State Supreme Court and the California First District Court of Appeals.

In July, AALL will present the scholarships along with awards and grants at the 2010 Annual Meeting in Denver as part of the AALL Awards Program which was established to recognize the achievements of law librarians based on service to the profession and contributions to legal literature and materials.

Brooklyn Law School provides graduates and current law students summer access to the big three legal research services:

Bloomberg Law Summer Access:

Bloomberg Law is a legal, regulatory, and compliance research platform, with global coverage, offering a suite of news, data and analytics to the legal and compliance community. Bloomberg Law integrates comprehensive legal content, company and client information, and news all in one easy to use interface. In December 2009, it officially launched its comprehensive, Web-based service. Bloomberg Law database includes:federal and state cases: legislative and regulatory materials; unlimited access to dockets; sample agreements, Edgar filings, and forms; and Bloomberg Law Reports, their proprietary current awareness publications. If you have any questions please contact Pamela Haahr, our Bloomberg Law Representative, or contact Bloomberg Law at 212-318-2800.

• Graduates for Bar Exam Preparation:

  Bloomberg Law offers free access to BLS graduates. You will continue to receive access to Bloomberg Law for up to six months after graduation.

• Unemployed Graduates for After Bar Exam:

  Any graduate who has not secured a full-time position may contact Pamela Haahr, our Bloomberg Law Representative, or contact Bloomberg Law at 212-318-2800 regarding extensions your one year after graduation access.

• Current Students and Summer Associates:

  Receive complimentary access through graduation including over the summer. Go to Bloomberg Law and elect Request a Trial.

LexisNexis Summer Access: Please review the options below. If you have any questions please contact Thomas Daniel, our LexisNexis Representative.

• Full Access to LexisNexis for Current Students or Graduates:

  • Class preparation and assignments
  • Research associated with moot court or law review / law journal
  • Research associated with pursuing a grant or scholarship
  • Service as a research assistant to a professor (either paid or unpaid)
  • An unpaid internship/externship or clinic position for school credit
  • Bar Review
  • Clerkship for credit
  • Research skill improvement for educational (non-commercial) purposes
  • The Register Now button from the sign-on page:
    1. Click Register Now to the right of the LexisNexis Custom ID and Password fields.
    2. Enter your 7 character activation code and click Next.
    3. Click to check the Summer Access Sign Up box to certify that you need your ID for a legitimate summer use.
    4. Select your qualifying use.
    5. Click Next.
  • The Register Now link on the “Need to do research over the summer?” scrolling information banner:
    1. Click to check the Summer Access Sign Up box to certify that you need your ID for a legitimate summer use.
    2. Select your qualifying use.
    3. Click Next.
  • The Update Registration Information on the “Get Help” tab after you sign on:
    1. Click the Register Now link on the Need to research over the summer? banner.
    2. Click Register for Summer Access.
    3. Click to check the Summer Access Sign Up box to certify that you need your ID for a legitimate summer use.
    4. Select your qualifying use.
    5. Click Next.

You can obtain full access to the LexisNexis services for the summer only by participating in one of the following qualifying summer activities:

To register for Full Access to LexisNexis:

Launch the LexisNexis Law School website and use one or more of the following registration methods are available to you, select either:

• LexisNexis Aspire Access to Current Law Students and Graduates:

  • LexisNexis Aspire Coverage

    : Federal and state cases, codes, regulations, law reviews, Shepard’s®,and Matthew Bender® treatises. All other materials will not be visible.

  • LexisNexis Aspire Eligibility Requirements:

    • All spring 2010 graduates who pursue verifiable public interest work, including:
      • Deferred fall associates pursuing public interest.
      • 2010 graduates pursuing public interest work while searching for employment.
      • 2010 graduates who pursue public interest work as a continuing profession.
    • Rising 2Ls and 3Ls who pursue verifiable public interest work. You must work directly for a non-profit or charitable organization.

  • LexisNexis Aspire Eligibility Exclusions:

    • Government work (even if unpaid).
    • Work for a law firm (even if it represents a non-profit organization).
    • Solo practice (even if it encompasses non-profit work).
    • Pro bono work that is not non-profit or charitable in nature.

  • LexisNexis Aspire Registration Process:

    If you meet the eligibility requirements below, please go to the LexisNexis Aspire web site to register. You will need to provide documentation verifying your public interest position, preferably a letter from the organization. This documentation must clearly state that the work you will be doing is for a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Students who apply after June 1st will receive their ID within 5 business days. Rising 2Ls and 3Ls: Access begins June 1 and continues to August 1, 2010.

If you are providing public service may apply for LexisNexis Aspire Access access a limited version of LexisNexis services free of charge.

Westlaw Summer Access:

Please review the options below. If you have any questions please contact Stefanie Efranti, our Westlaw Representative,
or contact the Westlaw 24 hrs. hotline for help at 1-800-850-9378.

• Graduates for Bar Exam:

  The students in the class of 2010 can request a password extension on Westlaw for extended access through the end of July while they study for the bar exam. To extend, the students need to sign on to the Westlaw Law School site and select the “Need Westlaw This Summer” icon with the clock on the right side of the site. Select the option to request an extension for graduates and their request will be submitted. Summer access for graduates expires on 8/1/2010. Access is available for 5 hours for June and July. If students don’t complete the summer extension form then they will have limited Westlaw access in June and July beginning on June 1, 2010. Note: all BLS graduates will have access to the job search databases on Westlaw for a year from their graduation date.

• Unemployed Graduates for After Bar Exam:

  Students who want to request additional access to Westlaw after the bar exam due to being deferred in their jobs or for other purposes can check out Westlaw’s Between Cases site. This is a special online resource for displaced associates seeking employment and networking opportunities. The site includes job search tools, legal education offerings from the West LegalEdCenter, information and resources for setting up a private practice, and special offers from Westlaw and other West services. The goal of the site is to help job seekers in the legal industry stay connected with their peers and prospective employers as they navigate the transition to their next assignment. Note: all BLS graduates will have access to the job search databases on Westlaw for a year from their graduation date.

• Current Law Students Not Taking Summer Classes:

  Eligible students need to sign onto Westlaw Law School website and select the “Need Westlaw This Summer” icon on the right side of the site with the clock picture.

  • Eligible Students:

    Westlaw Summer Extension access is available for rising 2ls and 3Ls who are on a BLS law journal, a BLS moot court, working with a professor, or working at an unpaid internship. Just select the appropriate category before submitting your request.

  • Scope of Access:

    Westlaw Summer Extension Access is unlimited. Access continues through July 31, 2010. All other students: You are not eligible Limited WestlawAccess is available for 5 hours for June and July for all students. If students don’t complete the summer extension form then they will have limited Westlaw access in June and July beginning on June 1, 2010.

• Current Students Taking Summer Classes:

  Eligible students need to sign on the Westlaw Law School website and select the “Need Westlaw This Summer” icon on the right side of the site with the clock picture.

  • Eligible Students:

    Westlaw Summer Extension access is available for rising 2ls and 3Ls who are taking summer classes.

  • Scope of Access:

    Westlaw Summer Extension Access is unlimited. Access continues through July 31, 2010. All students will have their full access restored on August 1,2010.

• All other students:

  You are not eligible Westlaw Summer Extension Access, you qualify for the Westlaw Limited Access.

  • Scope of Access:

    Westlaw Limited Access is available for only 5 hours for June and July for all students. Note: Effective June 1, 2010 all students who do not complete Westlaw Summer Extension process will only have Westlaw Limited Access from June 1, 2010 through July 31, 2010. All students be restored to full access on August 1, 2010.

WolframAlpha is a computational knowledge engine similar to Google. It is not a search engine but more of a fact engine that generates output by doing computations from its own internal knowledge base, instead of searching the web and returning links. For example, searching Google for “Denver” will result in a list of links to websites. However, a search of “population of Denver” in WolframAlpha provides with an immediate answer on WolframAlpha’s site. In addition to the answer (City of Denver, population 598,707 – 2008 estimate), the site offers that Denver ranks 25th in population in the US and presents a graph showing population history, the metropolitan area population (2.552 million) and the population of nearby cities (Aurora – 319,057).



A search for a date will give results that include the time difference from today in years, months, weeks or days. It will also list observances for date including births of noted persons. The daylight information for that date is given telling the time of the sunrise and sunset and the duration of daylight as well as the state of the moon for that day. Results for a date, June 25, 1951 list an event listed for that day, “CBS becomes the first to broadcast television in color.” A search for Brooklyn, NY yields not only the current population – population: 2.557 million people (2008) but also population growth: 0.4625%per year (2000-08); population density: 34723 people/mi (2000); annual deaths: 16533 people per year (2006) and annual births: 40492 people per year (2006).

Founder, Stephen Wolfram has found a way to take mathematical concepts and figure out a way to pull different types of data together and produce a rational result. He explains possible uses of the product in this video posted here.

For Legal Research, however, WolframAlpha is not yet ready according to a post at Three Geeks and Blog which reports that “legal” questions such as these did not yield results:

•Number of lawsuits filed against Exxon

•Patents held by IBM

•General Counsel of Wal-Mart

•Chairman of Skadden Arps

A NY Times article states “It is an early working version of a project that has been years in the making and will continue to evolve over years, if not decades. As such, there is much it cannot answer now.” So perhaps, one day WolframAlpha can help law students understand the rule against perpetuities.

The two-part video is here: