Spring 2013 - Brown Bag Presentation Series

During the 2013 Spring Semester, the O'Quinn Law Library reference librarians will offer a series of lunchtime presentations on legal research topics. Each presentation will be given at 12 noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. All presentations will take place in Room 4 BLB.

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Presentation Descriptions

1. Laws & Sausages: Texas Legislative History and Bill Tracking

Tuesday, 2/5, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)
Wednesday, 2/6/, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)

Presented by Matthew Mantel, Reference and Research Librarian

Come see how the Texas legislature makes laws (but not sausages). This session will focus on the tools used for assembling a legislative history for Texas legislation and for monitoring a bill as it moves through the legislative process. Legislative history research is essential for discerning the intended purpose and meaning of statutory language and is useful both for academic research and legal practice.

2. International and Foreign Law Research

Tuesday, 2/12, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)
Wednesday, 2/13, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)

Presented by Dan Baker, International and Foreign Law Librarian

This session will explore strategies of researching in the area of international, foreign, and comparative law (IFCL). After a brief introduction into international law, including an overview of the major international organizations and the differences between common law and civil law, this session will identify major legal resources for IFCL research.

3. Texas Administrative Law Research

Tuesday, 2/19, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)
Wednesday, 2/20, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)

Presented by Emily Lawson, Reference and Research Librarian

The Texas administrative legal research involves finding laws that govern the administration and regulation of Texas state agencies using the power delegated by the state legislature. These rules are authoritative and consequently attorneys need to know how to locate them in order to represent their clients effectively. Attendees will be provided an overview of the Texas administrative system and introduced to the sources used to locate the rules promulgated by Texas state agencies. Online sources including free internet sites will also be discussed.

4. Environmental Law Research

Tuesday, 2/26, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)
Wednesday, 2/27, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)

Presented by Chris Dykes, Reference and Research Librarian

Environmental law is an important field that comprises a massive and complex system of federal and state statutes, regulations, and case law, and consequently, can be difficult to navigate. This session will cover both primary and secondary sources as well as how to locate these materials through electronic databases and free websites. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of the sources of environmental law and how to conduct research in this area.

5. Researching Insurance Law

Tuesday, 3/5, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)
Wednesday, 3/6, 12:00-12:45 (room 4 BLB)

Presented by Katy Stein, Reference and Research Librarian

The goal of insurance is to provide customers with security and spread risk among a larger group of individuals. Unlike other industries, the insurance industry is regulated by both state and federal statutory law. This presentation will provide an overview of the primary legal resources for researching insurance law under both Texas and federal law, as well as secondary resources. After attending this presentation, you will have a basic understanding of insurance law resources and how to begin researching insurance law issues.