ZiefBrief

Zief's Summer Research Assistance for USF Law Students

The research librarians will be available this summer to assist USF Law students.  Here are some of the ways that we can help you in summer externships, jobs, or volunteer work:

• Stumped by the research project you just received from a supervisor? A research librarian is on duty waiting to assist you via live chat Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  You can also email your research question to the entire librarian team at: [email protected]
  
  
• Taking a class this summer? Our Lexis digital library offers USF Law students online access to two popular study guide series, the Questions & Answers series and the Understanding Series. There are no borrowing limits -- check out as many titles as you would like in either series. 
  
  
• Our librarian-created online research guides on over 30 different topics are available to guide you through unfamiliar research tasks, such as California and federal legislative history research, regulatory research, international and foreign law research, and more.
  
  
• Wondering what legal research databases are available beyond Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law? Explore all of Zief's digital library offerings on this page.
  
  
• Doing research on a topic outside of the law? Remember that USF Law students have access to all of the Gleeson Library databases listed on this page.

Helping Your Brain to Relax

Ever notice how every task takes twice as long during the pandemic? Picking up prescriptions, pumping gas, grocery shopping, and other errands now require lots of added steps to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. Your prefrontal cortex is maxed out, and you may be more forgetful as a result. You can ignore all of those articles that encourage you to learn a new language or start playing a musical instrument during the pandemic. Trying to learn a complex new skill isn't the best way to care for your brain, according to Dr. Amy Bohnert. Following a routine and spending time outdoors will be more restorative.

Update: USF Law Library Remains Closed Until July 31

Summer 2020 USF Law classes are online, and only a very limited number of USF essential employees are accessing campus buildings. The law library will remain closed until at least July 31, 2020.  Please check this blog, your USF email, and the USF Coronavirus Resources page for further updates on campus operations.

Congratulations, USF Law Graduates!

The library staff congratulates all May 2020 graduates on your amazing achievements! Please remember that we're here for you when you begin your journey as practicing attorneys. The law library is always "open" to those who earn USF Law degrees -- whether we're operating virtually or in-person! Some wise words from author Margaret Atwood to consider in these very tough times:

You may not be able to alter reality, but you can alter your attitude towards it, and this, paradoxically, alters reality. Try it and see.

State by State Map Showing Status of July 2020 Bar Exam

This map shows each state's current approach to the July 2020 bar examination. Information on California's plans for the September 9-10, 2020 bar exam can be found on this page.

ABA Partners with Paladin to Help Lawyers Find Pro Bono Disaster Relief Opportunities Online

The American Bar Association’s Disaster Legal Services Program and Paladin have created an online portal enabling lawyers to find pro bono opportunities to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic and other natural disasters.

Studying for Law School Finals During Pandemic

The Bay Area is not a great place to live if you need to work or study from home. Housing is expensive, living spaces are small, and older buildings have serous noise issues. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am typing this post in my kitchen/home office--I share a 3-room, 1 BR apartment with my spouse. He has claimed the living room in the front of the apartment, and I have claimed the kitchen. How do you concentrate under these conditions? Briana Borgolini has written a great article on how to study at home if you're used to studying in the law library. I found her tips really useful--hope you do as well!

Summer & Post-Grad Access: Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law

UPDATE: This post was edited on May 15, 2020 to add that Bloomberg Law will be available to May 2020 graduates who register for access before graduation until June 1, 2021.

This post is a compilation of previous posts on continuing law student summer access and post-graduation access to Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.

Lexis Advance

USF Law 1L and 2L students will automatically have free unlimited use of their law school Lexis Advance accounts this summer. No registration is required--just sign in to Lexis as usual and start researching.

Students also have access to online tutorials on Lexis. The on-demand Prepare to Practice Resources include lessons on improving Lexis search skills and Practice-Ready Certification. The program includes 3 modules and an exam to test your knowledge related to researching unfamiliar topics, litigation and transactional drafting, and legal analytics. 

USF Law students graduating in May 2020 can continue accessing their Lexis academic accounts through December 31, 2020. All law students have automatic extended access. No registration is required, there are no restrictions, and no limits on your research time.

When graduates sign on to Lexis after July 5, they will see a new Graduate Homepage. Each graduate can choose among four gifts featured on the Graduate Homepage:

• Extended access to Law360;
• Lexis Practice Advisor;
• Lexis for Microsoft Office; or
• Choose one of 13 LexisNexis eBooks, such as Corbin on Contracts or Weinstein's Evidence Manual.

Westlaw

Westlaw is giving all continuing law students (1Ls & 2Ls) full access to their academic Westlaw accounts over the summer.

For individuals graduating in May 2020, Westlaw will give continued access through November 30, 2020 if graduates register for this access. May 2020 graduates need to confirm that they want post-graduate access by clicking on the pop-up reminder to register for post-graduate access that appears when you log on to Westlaw. If you haven't seen this pop-up reminder and want to ensure access to Westlaw after graduation, contact USF's campus representative, Marc Fong, at [email protected].

Bloomberg Law

 

Bloomberg Law is available to 1L & 2L students over the summer. It's also available to graduating students until June 1, 2021 if students register for Bloomberg Law access before graduation.

 

To register for Bloomberg Law, follow these steps: 

1. Go to: https://profile.bna.com/bloomberglaw-activate/

2. There is no need to enter an activation code - skip that field and complete the other fields.
 
3. You must use your @usfca.edu email address to register.
 
4. You should receive a confirmation email within 1-2 business days with login information.  If you run into any registration difficulties, phone the Bloomberg Law help desk 24/7 at: 888.560.2529

Bloomberg Law Summer Access for Continuing Students & Post-Grad Access for May 2020 Grads

Bloomberg Law is available to 1L & 2L students over the summer. It's also available to graduating students until November 30, 2020 if students register for Bloomberg Law access before graduation.

 

To register for Bloomberg Law, follow these steps: 

1. Go to: https://profile.bna.com/bloomberglaw-activate/

2. There is no need to enter an activation code - skip that field and complete the other fields.
 
3. You must use your @usfca.edu email address to register.
 
4. You should receive a confirmation email within 1-2 business days with login information.  If you run into any registration difficulties, phone the Bloomberg Law help desk 24/7 at: 888.560.2529

Westlaw: Summer Access for Continuing Students & Post-Grad Access for May 2020 Grads

Westlaw is giving all continuing law students (1Ls & 2Ls) full access to their academic Westlaw accounts over the summer.

For individuals graduating in May 2020, Westlaw will give continued access through November 30, 2020 if graduates register for this access. May 2020 graduates need to confirm that they want post-graduate access by clicking on the pop-up reminder to register for post-graduate access that appears when you log on to Westlaw. If you haven't seen this pop-up reminder and want to ensure access to Westlaw after graduation, contact USF's campus representative, Marc Fong, at [email protected].