Zief Pets Presents: Halloween Costume Gallery!

Celebrate the spooky season with Zief Law Library as we introduce Zief Pets Presents: Halloween Costume Gallery! Whether a dog, cat, iguana, or even a pet rock, Zief Pets wants to see your pets’ best Halloween looks!

Submit pictures of your pets in their Halloween costumes or festive attire, and we will display them on the Zief Pets wall in Zief Law Library from Monday, October 30th to Monday, November 6th. To participate, please fill out the Google Form by October 30th, using the QR code on the image below or visit bit.ly/ZiefPetsHalloween23.

Advertisement flyer for Zief Pets with a cartoon cat and dog in ghost costumes.

 

 

Music and Studying: Epic (Beneficial) or Gnarly (Adverse)

A record turntable with vinyl album covers placed behind it.
Troy’s turntable

A contentious (gnarly) debate is whether listening to music while studying is a bad idea or if it can actually be quite helpful. In the WebMD article “Can music Help You Study” by Cheryl Whitten and Dan Brennan discuss pros and cons of listening to music while studying. Even USF law students have had discussions about music being beneficial or distracting while studying. The argument of what type of music should be used is even a more passionate argument; this debate can sometimes broach the subject of good or bad taste in the listener (jokingly and good-natured teasing, we hope).

Even though there is a 1990s study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine entitled “The Mozart Effect” stating that listening to classical music, specifically Mozart’s sonata for two pianos, improves spatial reasoning skills, problem solving, and test scores, it may just simply a matter of improving one’s mood during a stressful time. In the 2023 blog post “Music and Studying: It’s Complicated” Crystal Raypole states that music is helpful during finals because it can motivate; this probably has to do with the firing of neurons in the brain whether it’s slow music to relax or faster dynamic music to inspire. Raypole also discusses how listening to music while studying can be detrimental because students who listen to music with lyrics can become distracted. Even music without lyrics can hinder concentration.  Also, what about the idea that students who use music to help them memorize may need to create the same environment during the actual exam for it to work?

The best test to the music or no music debate is to find out for yourself. All students are different and study in a myriad of ways; music may help some and hinder others.  A good idea for finding out what works best for you is to experiment with different study music playlists on YouTube, Spotify, or your streaming service of choice. Do what’s best for you even if it’s only studying in the bathtub, wearing a wetsuit while listening to 1960s surf instrumentals.

New Books at The Zief Law Library: April 2023

Book Covers From The Zief Library Catalog

The Zief Law Library added new materials to its collection in April 2023! Check out these three new titles, with topics including career planning, law practice, race discrimination, and business law. Explore our monthly New Materials at Zief Law Library webpage for the full list of recent arrivals. Stay tuned for more new materials this summer. 

Law Library Hours: Final Exams

Hi, everyone! The Zief Law Library team wishes you luck on all of your final assignments and exams for the semester. To help support your studying, the law library will have regular hours and research help during the final exam period:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 11:00 pm;

Friday: 8:00am – 8:00pm;

Saturday: 9:00am – 8:00pm;

Sunday: 10:00am – 11:00pm.

Zief Research Services:

Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Good Luck!

National Library Week 2023

“Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities.”

David Lankes

Happy National Library Week! This year’s American Library Association theme is “There’s More to the Story” celebrating libraries’ expansive materials, services, and resources beyond print books. This week, learn how to use your library card to its fullest potential and celebrate with Zief Law Library!

National Library Week 2023 Logo

Events at Zief

All Week Activities

  1. Pick up a Zief-themed word search by the Brain Break table on the first floor!
  2. Vote on your favorite library, law school, or poetry themed haiku written by USF law students by April 27th, 3:00 p.m.! The winner receives a Green Apple Books gift card!
  3. Share your favorite books from childhood with the Communal Children’s Book Library! Located on the first floor near the Circulation Desk.
  4. Guess how many books are in Zief Law Library and win a prize!
  5. Pick up freebies from Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg, and more!

San Francisco

San Francisco Public Library

Continue reading “National Library Week 2023”

Tax Day

In observance of Tax Day, on April 18 this year, Zief Library takes a brief look at the legal history of our federal income tax system and highlights Zief tax research resources and opportunities for further study.

Federal Income Taxes: A Brief History:

Did you know the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) came into existence on July 9, 1953?  Its main function is to determine, assess, and collect internal revenue in the United States.

A few other facts about the IRS and the modern federal income tax system:

  • The first U.S. Congress created the Department of the Treasury in 1789. It has the authority to administer and enforce the internal revenue laws of the U.S.
  • Modern individual income taxes are largely a result of the Revenue Act of 1913, which President Woodrow Wilson signed into law. The act restored federal income taxes and lowered tariff (taxes on imported goods) rates, which President Wilson considered to be unfair taxes.
  • Earlier Revenue Acts had given Congress the power to tax personal income, including the first, The Revenue Act of 1861, which was signed by President Lincoln (to pay for the Civil War). It lacked an enforcement mechanism and was later repealed. A flat rate Federal income tax was enacted in 1894, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional because it was a direct tax not apportioned according to the population of each state.
  • The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution resolved this issue when it was ratified in 1913. It granted Congress “the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes,…, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration”.
  • The IRS came into existence in 1953 after President Harry S. Truman called for a reorganization of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, created after the Civil War.
  • Congress gave the Treasury Department the authority to administer and enforce the internal revenue laws of the U.S. in 1954, and that authority is governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 7801. The IRS is organized to carry out the responsibilities of the U.S. Treasury Secretary.
  • The first Form 1040 was introduced in 1913, and the standard deductions on Form 1040 were created in 1944.
  • Filing & Payment Dates: Although April 15 is the official annual individual federal income tax filing deadline, the date varies due to weekends and holidays. This year the deadline is Tuesday, April 18 for most Americans. Federal income taxes were originally due on March 1 after the passage of the 16th Amendment in 1913, but the deadline was changed five years later to March 15. The tax system was overhauled in 1954 with the passage of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and the date was again moved to April 15.

Research Resources:

Many of the legal research databases and other resources you are already using provide access to tax-related research materials. A few, however, are worth mentioning for their special focus on tax materials:

Checkpoint Edge: Thomson Reuters Checkpoint Edge provides access to information on U.S. federal and state tax laws, regulations, and cases. USF Law students and faculty can access it from on campus.

Lexis Tax: Lexis Tax, which is part of your Lexis+ subscription, allows you to run single searches across multiple tax resources in one of three subjects: Federal, State & Local, or U.S. International Tax law. These include primary sources and specialized secondary materials, including tax analysis, tax commentary, tax news and other information required to practice tax law. By putting all tax materials in one place, Lexis helps you simplify your search process.

Zief Federal Tax Research Guide: For help finding federal tax related materials, check out the library’s handy research guide on federal tax research.

Interested in Pursuing a Career in Tax Law?

Did you know USF offers graduate programs in tax law for students who have already earned a law degree? Many students who want to focus their careers in tax law enroll in one of these programs after earning their JD’s. Check out the USF’s LLM and Graduate Tax Programs for more information.

Student Discounts

This week, ZiefBrief takes a look at how to take advantage of your student status and save on professional tools, supplies, and clothing.

Student Discount Services

As you are gearing up for your summer internships and post-bar employment, take advantage of your student status to build your professional wardrobe and toolkit. Before purchasing professional attire, check if Student Beans or UniDays offers a student discount. Brands like Coach, Footlocker, Marc Jacobs, and Charles Tywhitt are available on Student Beans and UniDays. Be sure to check for discounts on stationary or tools, like Muji Stationary, The Happy Planner, or Logitech. This post will focus on professional attire and tools, but continue to explore these sites for other products and services that may help in your overall success, such as health, travel, and more.

Tips on Student Beans and UniDays

  1. Student Beans
    1. Choose a category on the menu, such as “Fashion” or “Home and Tech.”
    2. Choose which discounts you want to search for on the side bar, such as “Student” or “Freebie” to filter out general sales from student discounts.
    3. If you are about to graduate, check out Grad Beans for discounts!
  2. UniDays
    1. Use the top menu bar for drop-down menus on each category.
    2. You’ll find a sample of their offerings and can continue searching by clicking “View All” usually located on the right side of the page.

Additional Discounts

Professional Apparel

If you have not found  what you need through Student Beans and UniDays, these shops offer discounts directly through their websites and stores.

  1. J. Crew offers 15% off with a valid college ID.
  2. Madewell offers 15% off online and in-store purchases.

Office Supplies

Stay on top of your goals with proper organization and tools.

  1. Papier:  10% off for planners, notebooks, and other stationary.
  2. Moleskine: Up to 15% off sitewide

Recreation and Mental Health Services

Adjust to your internship, job, or bar study with mindfulness. Remember you are a person first and give yourself time to breathe.

  1. Headspace uses science-backed mindfulness and meditation tools and has been proven to lower stress levels by 14% in 10 days. As a student, you can access Headspace for $9.99/year (85% off!).
  2. If you have an interview and do not want to rely on the SF Muni or rideshare services, ZipCar’s student plan can save you up to $55/year.
  3. Find new ways to explore the city with the San Francisco Public Library’s Discover and Go! Register for free passes to museums, movies, the zoo, and more!

Tech

As a law student, you’re likely to make a tech purchase. Remember to check student discount service websites first and check the following companies for their direct discounts.

  • Adobe: Over 60% off Creative Cloud All Apps plan for students and teachers.
  • HP: Up to 40% off everyday savings.
  • Samsung: Up to 30% off select items with the Education Offers Program.
  • Razer: 20% off Razer gear, PC parts and accessories, 10% off gaming chairs and 5% off laptops.
  • Microsoft: Up to 10% off select tech for students and parents.
  • Apple: College students can get a discount on select tech starting at $50 off, 20% off AppleCare+, credit with Apple Trade In and more.

 

Scrabble letter pieces spelling out "Slay Queen"

New Resource: Dual Monitor Workstations

The Zief Law Library Is Excited To Announce A New Resource: Dual Monitor Workstations

Dual monitors stock image

The Zief Law Library is happy to announce two new dual monitor workstations located in corrals on the first floor of Zief. Having two computer screens allows users to view multiple documents in full screen simultaneously instead of having a split screen on one monitor – perfect for reading eBooks while taking notes! Additional HDMI port adapters will soon be made available at the library Circulation Desk. Please feel free to visit the Zief Law Library Circulation Desk for more information. Happy Studying!

Beyond Lexis & Westlaw: CEB

In our continuing series introducing you to legal research databases that we recommend you try, this month we’re taking a look at the CEB legal research platform and highlighting some of its unique features. CEB – short for Continuing Eduation of the Bar – provides valuable research resources for California law students and attorneys.

What is CEB?

Founded in 1947 as a nonprofit program of the University of California to educate veterans returning to legal practice after serving in World War II, CEB today offers access to a range of materials, including: primary sources; practice guides; practitioner materials; daily news alerts; and continuing legal education (CLE) materials for practicing California attorneys.

CEB Logo

How is CEB Different from Westlaw and Lexis?

Unlike Lexis and Westlaw, CEB is designed specifically to help the California legal community and therefore focuses on California law. It includes cases (California Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court), statutes, and California Rules of Court. It also includes a large collection of California practice guides and other practitioner materials, as well as legal news and continuing education materials for California attorneys. These resources can also help you as a student in your clinical, internship, or externship experiences.

These are the CEB features and tools worth exploring:

  • Advanced Search Filters for Case Law Searches: CEB allows you to narrow your case law search results using advanced filters. For example, you can narrow your results by specific cause of action (e.g., harassment, fraud, discrimination), procedural posture (e.g., demurrer, motion for summary judgment, motion for change of venue), and disposition (e.g., reverse, affirm, grant). These filters allow you to find cases analogous to your own, and not just those with similar search terms.
  • Secondary Sources: CEB includes about 180 unique, searchable practice guides written by and for California lawyers, covering California law on 20 broad topics. Each practice guide also includes these helpful finding aids: table of contents, table of statutes, table of cases, and an index.
  • Practitioner Materials: CEB provides helpful practitioner materials including workflow charts, how-to guides, strategy notes, charts and checklists, and standard documents with referenced authorities. They cover the following six legal topics (each divided into subtopics): Business Entities, Business Litigation, Employment Law, Litigation Practice & Procedure, Real Property, and Trusts & Estates.
  • Daily News: CEB provides California legal news updates in 31 practice areas to help you stay up-to-date with daily law alerts and articles on the latest developments in your research or practice area.

How can I access CEB as a Student?

CEB is accessible to current USF law students and faculty in two ways:

CEB’s OnLaw Logo
  • Via its classic interface CEB OnLaw, which does not require registration (from off campus or on campus); or

 

 

 

CEB OnLawPro Logo
  • Via registration for its updated interface, CEB Pro. Please contact one of your Zief librarians for CEB Pro registration information. If you have already registered, visit research.ceb.com to sign in. Students who sign up for CEB Pro before they graduate will continue to have free access for 18 months after they graduate. For more information about how you can incorporate CEB’s resources into your research, stop by Zief and chat with your research librarians.

“Research Tips from an Old School Librarian” — the Restatements

Many law students think of the Restatements of the Law as nothing more than the brief excerpts included in their case books. This week, in his special column, “Research Tips from an Old School Librarian,” research librarian John Shafer will show you why you may want to dig deeper into the Restatements.

What are the Restatements?

The Restatements of Law, published by the American Law Institute (ALI), are a valuable resource for law students, legal professionals, and scholars alike. These authoritative and influential legal treatises aim to clarify, simplify, and modernize various areas of common law in the United States.

By distilling and restating the general principles and rules derived from case law, statutes, and legal scholarship, the Restatements provide a clear and comprehensive summary of the current state of the law. They serve as a reference for judges, lawyers, scholars, and legislators, guiding courts in areas where the law may be ambiguous or inconsistent. Although not legally binding, the Restatements often act as persuasive authority in judicial decision-making, shaping the development and evolution of the law.

The Restatements, along with their accompanying examples, illustrations, and annotations, are invaluable tools for law professors and students. Professors often draw from the examples and illustrations to create the hypotheticals they use in lectures and examinations, designing engaging and challenging problems that test students’ comprehension of legal concepts and principles. You, as a student, on the other hand, can employ these examples and illustrations to prepare for exams, enhance readiness for being called on in class, and deepen your understanding of the Restatements.

The annotations that accompany the Restatements are also helpful for locating case law that cites specific Restatement sections. By examining these annotations, you can identify relevant legal authority to support your arguments and enrich your research, as well as observe the practical impacts the Restatements have on the development and evolution of the law.

Accessing the Restatements:

In Print: The Zief Law Library has a fairly complete collection of the Restatements in print. They are located behind the Circulation and Reserve Desk and can be checked out for use in the library. The Ignacio library catalog shows a list of our current Restatement holdings:

Online: The full text of the Restatements is not freely available on the internet due to copyright restrictions. However, you can access the complete Restatements through legal research platforms, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, HeinOnline, and Bloomberg Law (BL has a subset of all the Restatements available). Links to each of those services appear below — you will need to use your personal academic password or identify yourself as a USF Law student in order to use them:

In conclusion, the Restatements of Law are a valuable resource for law students seeking to strengthen their understanding of common law principles. By examining the Restatements and their accompanying examples, illustrations, and annotations, you can develop problem-solving skills, boost your confidence in class, excel in exams, and better prepare for your future legal career.

Professionalism and Career Resources

As you embark on your legal career journey, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with any expectations that you, or potential employers, have about the legal profession. Many brilliant and thoughtful professionals came before you, and have meaningful advice to share through podcasts, blog posts, and professional development courses. This week, we introduce you to some resources on career advice, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and managing mental health in the legal profession, so that you can set yourself up for professional success!

Career Advice

  1. ABA Law Student Podcast delivers coverage on current court cases, how to use your degree, and interviews with working professionals on the realities of a career in law. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Stitcher.
  2. The XL Legal Podcast, accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for Professionalism Hours, offers professional development tips ranging from what to expect in your early years as an attorney to taking care of your mental health. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play Music, and Stitcher.
  3. Before your first day at your summer internship or post-bar employment, read the ABA’s Top 10 Tips for Civility and Professionalism in New Lawyers to learn more about how to navigate your new work environment.
  4. Visit USF Law’s Office of Career Services for career counseling, connections to lawyers in your field of interest, and resources and tools to explore.

Continue reading “Professionalism and Career Resources”

New Books at The Zief Law Library: February 2023

Ten book covers from Zief library’s new materials.

The Zief Law Library added new materials to its collection in February 2023! Check out some of our new ebooks, with topics including: women’s rights; environmental law; restorative justice; arbitration; property; international law; maritime law; multilingual learning; and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Explore our monthly New Materials at Zief Law Library webpage for the full list of recent arrivals.

Shown Above: 

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Legal History, Research Resources, and Community Events

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Zief Library Assistant Randall Seder takes a look at the social and legal history of the commemorative month, highlights Zief research resources, and presents some Bay-Area events of interest.


Women’s March 2017 - Pennsylvania Ave
Women’s March 2017, Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC. Unsplash.

LEGAL HISTORY


The legal beginnings of National Women’s History Month have California origins. Efforts to adopt a commemorative month-long observance of women’s history began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California with The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women. The Commission was established on December 23rd, 1975 (Ordinance No. 1850) with the intended purpose of eliminating discrimination and prejudice on the basis of gender in areas of domestic, economic, and educational influence. In 1978, the Commission on the Status of Women planned and carried out “Women’s History Week.” They chose a week in March that would include International Women’s Day, which is celebrated annually on March 8th and commemorates the 1908 New York City protestors who marched to voice opinions on child labor, sweatshop working conditions, and women’s suffrage. Continue reading “Celebrating Women’s History Month: Legal History, Research Resources, and Community Events”

“Research Tips from an Old School Librarian” – Researching Model Laws

By now you’re likely familiar with model laws, like the Model Penal Code or the UCC, but what do you do if you need to research a model law? This week, in his special column, “Research Tips from an Old School Librarian,” research librarian John Shafer introduces us to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and the Uniform Laws Annotated and why you might consider using them in your research.

The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), a non-partisan non-profit organization, is one of the most successful efforts to update, harmonize promote uniformity of the law through the creation of a wide-ranging body of model laws. Founded in 1892, NCCUSL works with legal experts, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop these model laws, designed to address emerging legal issues and promote the efficiency and fairness of the legal system.

The NCCUSL developed many model laws, including the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), and the Uniform Trust Code (UTC), among others. Many states, including California, adopted these model laws in whole or in part. You’re likely familiar with these model codes, since they are frequently referred to in law school classes and casebooks today.

While you can learn a lot about many different model laws through the NCCUSL, all serious researchers should also know about another important resource for model laws – the Uniform Laws Annotated (ULA). The ULA is published by Thomson West and is available in Zief (in print) and on Westlaw. The ULA offers several research features in both the print and digital versions, including:

  1. Full text of model laws: The ULA contains the complete text of model laws, including the UCC, the Uniform Business Organizations Code, the UPC, the Model Penal Code, and others, along with any revisions or amendments made over time.
  2. Annotations: The ULA includes detailed annotations explaining each provision’s purpose, history, and interpretation through official and editorial comments. The annotations also include references to relevant cases and other authorities that interpreted or applied the model law.
  3. Comparative analysis: The ULA provides a comparative analysis of model laws, showing comparisons across the United States.
  4. Cross-references: The ULA includes cross-references to other model laws, to relevant U.S. Code sections, and to other sources of law.

However, missing from the ULA’s digital Westlaw version are the extensive indexes included in the print version. If you’re instead using Lexis+ for your research, you’ll find the ULCLAW – Uniform Law Commission Model Acts, but it lacks much of the content and many of the features found in the ULA.

So, if your research involves one of the many Uniform or Model Laws, you might want to consider using one of these model law resources.