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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Social Law Library Teams Up With LexisNexisSocial Law Library Teams Up With LexisNexis
Beginning July 1, 2010, the Library is pleased to offer LexisNexis for members who come into the Library. By coupling LexisNexis with Shepard’s Citations the new package for in-library users will include traditional access to all federal and state cases, statutes, regulations and court rules. In addition, members will receive more robust content, including national coverage of jury verdicts and hyperlinks to thousands of law reviews and Matthew Bender publications. And there will be no restrictions on concurrent users.

We invite you to consult with our expert Reference staff (617-226-1520) for more detail about this new offering or to schedule a training session.

LexisNexis will replace Westlaw.
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Noteworthy Documents - Archived

IN THE MATTER OF THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT (Posted 5/25/10)
Statement of Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall and Chief Justice for Administration & Management Robert A. Mulligan and the Order of the Supreme Judicial Court.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF LOWELL vs. PHANNA KEM ROBISHAW (May 4, 2010)
School and School Committee, Termination of employment, Arbitration. Public Employment, Termination. Arbitration, School committee, Authority of arbitrator, Award, Judicial review. Public Policy.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. State Street Bank and Trust Co. (Posted 2/8/2010)
See Press Release
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by and through its Attorney General Martha Coakley, brings this enforcement action in the public interest pursuant to the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, G.L.c.93A and the Massachusetts False Claims Act, G.L.c.12$5c . . . .
Investigation of Health Care Cost, Trends and Cost Drivers, Pursuant to G.L. c. 118G, § 6½(b) (Posted 2/2/10)
The Office of the Attorney General (AGO) releases this preliminary report based on its
ongoing investigation of health care cost trends and cost drivers pursuant to the authority granted to the Attorney General by Section 24 of Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2008, An Act to Promote Cost Containment, Transparency and Efficiency in the Delivery of Quality Health Care.
Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan (Posted 1/5/2010)
Governor Deval Patrick signed the Oceans Act on May 28, 2008 - requiring the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Ian Bowles to develop a comprehensive ocean management plan, with a draft plan by June 30, 2009, and a final plan promulgated by December 31, 2009.
Trial Court Rule III, Uniform Small Claims Rules, changes effective October 1, 2009.
The Supreme Judicial Court has approved changes to Trial Court Rule III, Uniform Small Claims Rules, effective October 1, 2009.
FTC Suspends ‘Red Flags Rule’ Requiring Law Firms to Create ID Theft Policies
Citing uncertainty among small businesses about their compliance obligations, the Federal Trade Commission has suspended until Nov. 1 implementation of its controversial "Red Flags Rule."
Interim Guidelines for the Protection of Personal Identifying Data in Publicly Accessible Court Documents
The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court recently approved Interim Guidelines designed to protect against identity theft by having court filers omit or delete certain personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, in criminal and civil court documents. The Guidelines for the Protection of Personal Identifying Data (PID) in Publicly Accessible Court Documents are non-binding and take effect on September 1, 2009.
Final Report
Final Report on the Joint Project of Trial Lawyers Task Force on Discovery and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System.
Economic Stimulus Package - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Conference Report on H.R. 1, H. Rep. 111-16, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Theresa Cedillo and Michael Cedillo v. Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Vaccine Act Entitlement; Causation-in-fact; MMR/Autism Causation Issue; MMR/Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Causation Issue; Thimerosal; Immune Damage Causation Issue.
2008 Statewide Ballot Initiative Question 2: "An Act Establishing a Sensible State Marihuana Policy"
Guidelines from The Official Website of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS)
The Movement of Illegal Guns in America
The Link between Gun Laws and Interstate Gun Trafficking
-A Report From Mayors Against Illegal Guns, December 2008
Governor's Anti-Crime Council Issues Report on Urban Violence
Doctors Say Legal System Drives Up Medical Costs
The Massachusetts Medical Society has issued a report that finds that local doctors order excessive tests and treatments to protect themselves from malpractice claims.
Crystal Salvas & Another (1) vs. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Labor, Wages. Evidence, Expert opinion, Business record. Practice, Civil, Class action, Statute of limitations. Rules of Civil Procedure. Contract, Performance and breach, Damages. Limitations, Statute of.
Gideon's New Trumpet: Expanding the Civil Right to Counsel in Massachusetts
Boston Bar Association Task Force
MARK FLOMENBAUM vs. COMMONWEALTH & others.
Governor. Public Employment, Removal. Commonwealth, Officers and employees. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Contract, Employment. Words, "For cause."
In Re Marriage Cases
In Lockyer v. City and County of San Francisco (2004) 33 Cal.4th 1055
(Lockyer), this court concluded that public officials of the City and County of San
Francisco acted unlawfully by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in the
absence of a judicial determination that the California statutes limiting marriage to
a union between a man and a woman are unconstitutional.
BLUEPRINT FOR A MODERNIZED FINANCIAL REGULATORY STRUCTURE
The mission of the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) focuses on promoting economic growth and stability in the United States. Critical to this mission is a sound and competitive financial services industry grounded in robust consumer protection and stable and innovative markets.
Commission on Judicial Conduct report "In the Matter of Justice Ernest Murphy
For the reasons described below, the Commission recommends that Judge Ernest B. Murphy be publicly censured, suspended without pay for 30 days, pay a $25,000 fine, and pay the costs incurred by the Commission in connection with this matter...
IN THE MATTER OF GARY C. CROSSEN
Attorney at Law, Disciplinary proceeding, Attorney-client relationship, Disbarment. Board of Bar Overseers. Rules of Professional Conduct. Due Process of Law, Attorney disciplinary proceeding.
IN THE MATTER OF KEVIN P. CURRY
Attorney at Law, Disciplinary proceeding, Attorney-client relationship, Disbarment. Board of Bar Overseers. Rules of Professional Conduct.
BIG DIG MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT AND DESIGNERS TO PAY $450 MILLION
The joint venture of Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, Bechtel Infrastructure Corp., and PB Americas, Inc., f/k/a Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc. ("Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff”), the management consultant to the Central Artery/Tunnel Project (“the Big Dig”) has agreed to pay over $407 million to resolve its criminal and civil liabilities...
Governor’s proposed legislation and Executive Order on Criminal Offender Record Information Reform
Click here to see proposed legislation.
Mitchell Report on Steroid Use in Baseball
Report to the commissioner of baseball of an independent investigation into the illegal use of steroids and other performance enhancing substances by players in major league baseball
FISA Court refuses to release records
Margaret R. Chambers v. Cassandra B. Ormiston - Rhode Island Supreme Court
May the Family Court properly recognize, for the purposes of entertaining a divorce petition, the marriage of two persons of the same sex who were purportedly married in another state?
Commission on Judicial Conduct - Complaints Against Associate Justice Ernest B. Murphy
Complaints Number 2006-9 and 2006-30
Vioxx Settlement Agreement
Settlement Agreement between Merk & Co., Inc. and The Counsel Listed on the Signature Pages 11/9/2007
State of Minnesota v. Larry Edwin Craig
Sophie C. Currier on behalf of herself and on behalf of Lea M. Gallien-Currier vs. National Board of Medical Examiners
Nursing Mother Case.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court (07-J-434)

Governor Patrick Unveils Plan For Casino Gambling in Massachusetts
Three destination resort casinos to spur economic development and create tens of thousands of new jobs
SJC issues amendment to Superior Court Rule 9C
Effective date - October 1, 2007
40B Cost Certification
Notice Regarding 40B Cost Certification Materials for Home Ownership Projects
PETER SCANNELL vs. ATTORNEY GENERAL & another.(1)
Massachusetts False Claims Act. Unjust Enrichment.
Massachusetts Guide to Evidence - Preliminary Draft for Public Comment
Prepared by the Supreme Judicial Court Advisory Committee on Massachusetts Evidence Law - August 2007
Report of the Small Claims Working Group - August 2007
Commission to End Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities - Final Report
The report is a result of a three year effort involving community members, health care advocates, policy experts and legislators.
Findings and Recommendations - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Prepared for The Executive Office of Public Safety, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, July 24, 2007
Peter J. Limone, et al., Plaintiffs v. United States of America, Defendant
Memorandum and Order Re: Bench Trial
WILLIAM J. DEVINE, trustee, vs. TOWN OF NANTUCKET & another.
Eminent Domain, Validity of taking. Limitations, Statute of. Notice. Constitutional Law, Eminent domain, Taking of property. Bona Fide Purchaser. Real Property, Bona fide purchaser.
(1) MICHAEL BAIGENT, (2) RICHARD LEIGH V. THE RANDOM HOUSE GROUP LIMITED
The Claimants are two of the three authors of a book published in 1982, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail (HBHG). The Defendant is the publisher in the UK of a book written by Dan Brown, the Da Vinci Code (DVC), first published in 2003. The Claimants' contention is that, in writing DVC, Mr Brown infringed their copyright by copying a substantial part of HBHG in the course of writing six chapters of DVC. The case came to trial over 11 days in February and March 2006 before Mr Justice Peter Smith.
State Auditor’s Report on Food Safety
Governor Patrick issues an Executive Order regarding the use of Undocumented Workers on State Contracts.
Amended Superior Court Civil Time Standards
Effective March 1, 2007
ROBERT E. NUNEZ, SECOND vs. CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL, INC., & another.(1)
Practice, Civil, Summary judgment. Alcoholic Liquors, Sale to underage adult. Negligence, Alcoholic liquors, Duty to prevent harm, Sale of liquor, Standard of care.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company vs. Robert J. O'Connell
Memorandum and Order on Motion to Dismiss
C. Joseph DOYLE & others [FN1] vs. SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH & another.
Marriage. General Court. Mandamus. Practice, Civil, Action in nature of mandamus. Declaratory Relief. Constitutional Law, Amendment of the Constitution, Initiative petition, General Court, Governor. Initiative. Governor.
ALLIANCE TO PROTECT NANTUCKET SOUND, INC. vs. ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD & another.(1)
Energy Facilities Siting Board. Administrative Law, Decision, Evidence, Hearing. Due Process of Law, Adjudicatory proceeding, Notice. Public Utilities, Electrical transmission line. Electricity.
Massachusetts Project on Innovative Jury Trial Practices - Final Report
Mark Lewis and Dennis Winslow, et al. v. Gwendolyn L. Harris, etc., et al. (A-68-05)
New Jersey Same-Sex marriage syllabus
State of New York vs. Richard A. Grasso
COMMERCE INSURANCE COMPANY & others(1) vs. COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE & another.(2)
Commissioner of Insurance. Insurance, Motor vehicle insurance, Assigned risk.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk ss., In the Matter of the Commission of Judicial Conduct, Memorandum and Order
ABA Task Force on Presidential Signing Statements and the Separation of Powers Doctrine
ABA Blue-Ribbon Task Force Finds President Bush's Signing Statements Undermine Separation of Powers
HAMDAN v. RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, et al.
certiorari to the united states court of appeals for the district of columbia circuit
BRENDA HAGLUND, executrix,(1) vs. PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED.
Tobacco. Warranty. Uniform Commercial Code, Warranty. Estoppel. Words, "Unreasonable use."
MICHAEL MAMMONE vs. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE.
Employment, Discrimination, Termination. Anti-Discrimination Law, Employment, Handicap, Termination of employment. Practice, Civil, Summary judgment. Federal Rehabilitation Act. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Words, "Qualified handicapped person."
Link of the Week
HealthCare.gov
A federal government Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This site has information on insurance options, the new law, prevention, comparison of care quality and much more.
ARCHIVE

Events Calendar
Friday, September 03, 2010
SLL closing early
The Library will be closing at 6:00 p.m. and will remain closed through Monday, September 6, 2010.
Monday, September 06, 2010
SLL is Closed
The Library will be closed in observance of Labor Day
 
Protecting Consumers - SLL HoldingsProtecting Consumers - SLL Holdings
The recent passage of financial services reform legislation means that new protections are on the way for borrowers, depositors and investors. Governments on all levels are trying to maintain fairness for consumers in their dealings with banks and other lenders. This recent acquisition “States in the Vanguard: Protecting Consumers During the Financial Crisis” shows attorneys representing consumers some of the remedies available to them.

Click for other consumer law titles in the Social Law Library Collection.



Evidence Faculty Gets Excellent ReviewsEvidence Faculty Gets Excellent Reviews


CD’s of the June 10th program now available.
Approximately 100 lawyers attended the Library’s recent evidence program, which received rave reviews.  Organized by Superior Court Judge Christine M. McEvoy, the June 10th program was an encore of a recent program that the Flaschner Judicial Institute provided to Massachusetts judges.

CDs of the lectures and the materials are now available for sale.  For those curious about the content of the program and CDs, click here for a detailed agenda of the topics.  There are separate tracks on the CDs for each topic so that listeners can easily click to the content they need.  To buy the CDs, as a package or individual lectures, click here.
Click for more information and photos from this program.

Photo Caption: Supreme Judicial Court Justice Ralph D. Gants, Superior Court Judge Christine M. McEvoy (Program Chair) Appeals Court Justice Sydney Hanlon and District Court Judge Mark S. Coven.  Superior Court Judges Regina L. Quinlan and Hon. Carol S. Ball were also on the all-judge faculty.



First Superior Court Law Clerk Reunion Held at Social LawFirst Superior Court Law Clerk Reunion Held at Social Law

Over 100 current and former law clerks of the Superior Court recently gathered at the Social Law Library for their first-ever reunion.  Mixing business with pleasure, the program started with talks on the SJC's new Massachusetts Guide to Evidence by the Editors, Hon. Peter W. Agnes, Jr. and Hon. David A. Lowy, and the Reporter, Clerk of the Massachusetts Appeals Court Joseph F. Stanton. Click here for a description of the Guide.


After the CLE portion of the program, the event became festive as clerks stayed until closing time, reconnecting with each other and mingling with judges that attended the event.

Click here for more pictures of the event.



Objective Immigration CoverageObjective Immigration Coverage
These days it’s almost impossible to surf the media without finding a heated discussion about immigration policy. Just about everyone has an opinion about how our laws regarding border control and the rights of foreign workers and residents need amendment.

In the meantime practicing lawyers require objective, accurate sources to help them advise clients when immigration laws affect their business or personal lives.

Here is a guide to the comprehensive references available at the Social Law Library on this inescapable area of the law.





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