WSLL @ Your Service September 2024
Contents
Enhance Your Practice with a Library Card - Carol Hassler
Recent years have brought more focus on plain language legal materials. While the emphasis has often been on self-represented readers, legal practitioners frequently benefit from easily digested, well formatted information. Reading a recent blog post on legal language from the Research, Instruction, and Patron Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries brought this point home again. The author features research on the communication efficacy of different language models, and the relative complexity of legal documents.
Two hypotheses are summarized. The "Magic Spell" hypothesis looks at convoluted legal writing as an almost ritualistic effort, while the "Copy-and-Edit" hypothesis proposes that legal documents grow confusing due to continued drafting and add-ons. While I find the magic spell symbolism a little enchanting, plainly written practical guidance is a far more appealing structure to read.
At our libraries, we provide a strong practice-focused collection. What does this mean? We include popular legal books which examine and explain the law. A book geared towards practicing law will often include checklists and sample forms to help streamline day-to-day case and client management. These books are typically well organized and faster to read, saving time and enhancing your understanding of the law.
September is National Library Card month, and library cards are a great tool to help you to streamline your legal research. Check out practice materials from any of our three libraries. Use your card to sign in to online databases and research primary law, legal news, and articles. Learn more on our Library Card Sign-Up page and find out what a Wisconsin State Law Library card can do for you.
Practice Materials at the State Law Library - Chris Schroeder
The Wisconsin State Law Library offers a wide selection of online and printed practice materials to support legal professionals, students, and the public in their studies, research, and case preparation. These resources include sample briefs, motion templates, and case law compilations that are invaluable for understanding procedural nuances and legal arguments. Additionally, the law library provides access to practice exams and review guides that help users improve their skills and stay current with evolving legal standards. This month's display features a rotating selection of some of our popular practice materials.
In this display:
Wisconsin attorney's desk reference.
KFW 2481 .W57
Wisconsin civil litigation forms manual
KFW 2930 .A65 W75
Wisconsin collection law
KFW 2930 .W682
Methods of practice
KFW 2930 .W613
Employment In Wisconsin: a guide to employment laws, regulations and practices
KFW 2734 .W5 S28
Also available as an eBook in Lexis Digital - check out now!
Arkfeld's best practices guide for electronic discovery and evidence
KF 8947 .A981 2023-2024
Warrens forms of agreements
KF 170 .W3
Also available as an eBook in Lexis Digital - check out now!
Gilson on trademarks
KF 3180 .G54
Letters for small business lawyers
KF 1659 .A65 B38 2011
New Books - Chris Schroeder
New Edition! Wisconsin Pretrial Civil Procedure, by Erik Pless and others
Call number: KFW 2937 .W57 2024
Also available as an eBook in Lexis Digital - check out now!
Wisconsin Pretrial Civil Procedure is a vital resource for attorneys involved in civil litigation within Wisconsin, offering detailed, step-by-step guidance through the pretrial process. The book stands out with its practical insights from local practitioners and comprehensive coverage of court rules, enhancing efficiency with numerous forms and templates. From pre-suit investigations to mediation and arbitration, this guide addresses current procedural issues, making it an important tool for navigating Wisconsin's civil court system.
Topics included:
- Coverage of court rules
- Attorney-Client relations
- Pre-Suit investigations
- Discovery
- Motion practice
- Mediation and arbitration
- Pre-trial conferences
New Edition! Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Keep Your Property & Repay Debts Over Time, by Cara O'Neill
Call Number: KF 1524.85 .E45 2024
This comprehensive guide to Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers a clear and accessible path to resolving debt by prioritizing essential obligations like mortgages and car loans, while addressing remaining debts with more manageable payments. The revised edition highlights recent updates in bankruptcy law. It also introduces an online bankruptcy center that include hundreds of articles on bankruptcy and debt, making it a practical resource for those looking to navigate financial recovery. With step-by-step advice on qualification, property retention, and credit rebuilding, this book is an invaluable tool for anyone considering Chapter 13 as a solution to their debt challenges.
Topics included:
- Determine if you qualify for Chapter 13
- Avoid foreclosure and vehicle repossession
- Keeping property
- Stop lawsuits, wage garnishments and bank levies
- How to catch up on your mortgage and keep your home
- Rebuild your credit
See our latest New Titles list for a list of new books and other resources.
For assistance in accessing these or other resources, please contact our Reference Desk.
Tech Tip - Heidi Yelk
How to ditch Google's on again, off again AI Overview
Love it or hate it, many people are noticing "AI Overview" as the top feature on the Google results page. The AI Overview is an attempt to provide users with a quick answer to their search query. After a rocky start earlier this year, Google pulled back on the feature. (Google Rolls Back A.I. Search Feature After Flubs and Flaws, New York Times, June 1, 2024) Google released updates in August, spurring hopes of a better experience. (Google's AI Overviews get three useful updates. Here's what's new, ZDNet, August 15, 2024)
Today, more and more users are seeing Google "AI Overview" dominate the top of the search results page and users are asking "how do I turn this off?" Google does not make it easy (there's no simple on/off button. According to Google, "AI Overviews are part of Google Search like other features, such as knowledge panels, and can't be turned off." )
But a few workarounds have emerged. The first suggestion is to use the "web" tab under the Google search box. By default, search results display in the "all" tab but a quick click on "web" moves you to a results list that hides the AI Overview.
Another easy fix is to install an extension in your browser. A handful of extensions have been written for Chrome and at least one Add-on for Firefox. In the Chrome web store or Firefox extension database, search "hide AI google overview," "bye bye google AI" (for Chrome) or "simple google" (Firefox).
Library News - Carol Hassler
Fall class signup
It's never too early to get our fall classes on your calendar. Sign up and save your spot now!
Introduction to Wisconsin Legislative History
Wednesday, September 18, noon-1:00 p.m.
Location: Live webinar - Register for Introduction to Wisconsin Legislative History
I need the legislative history of a Wisconsin statute. Where do I start? What do I do? Participants will look at the primary resources used to research Wisconsin legislative history, learn about the online Wisconsin legislative drafting files, and learn some helpful tips and tricks along the way. This introductory class covers basic research strategies and sources.
Concept to Codification
Wednesday, October 16, noon-1:00 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin State Law Library training room - Register for Concept to Codification
Follow a bill through all the stages of the legislative process. This class starts with a proposal for a law, then follows that proposal through conception, drafting, introduction, hearings, debates, amendments, passage, approval, and finally codification into the statutes.
Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Wednesday, November 20, noon - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Live webinar - Register for Researching the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Discussion and instruction of the history and function of the administrative code, with tips and examples to show how to research the history of a rule.
Welcome new staff
Please join us in welcoming Zari Ellzey to the Milwaukee County Law Library. A student at UW Milwaukee, Zari brings her library and customer service experience to our Milwaukee branch. Welcome, Zari!
September Snapshot
Milwaukee Public Library
Photo by Carol Hassler
The Grand Central Rotunda at the Milwaukee Public Library soars above the entrance to the library, and shines with yellow Sienna marble, brass and stained glass, oak and mahogany hardwoods, and scagliola - or plasterwork intended to imitate marble. Ask at the front desk for a self-guided tour sheet and stop at each point to learn more about the library and its collections.
