Year: 2009

Does Public Records Law Extend to Government Employees' Email ? WI Supreme Court to Decide

There is a very interesting article in the latest InsideTrack regarding a case pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on “whether the public’s right to know what its government is up to extends to reading the personal emails government employees sent from work.” The case involves a public records request sent by a citizen to …

Alternative Search Engines – There's More to Life Than Google

In the latest edition of InsideTrack from the Wisconsin State Bar, Bev Butula introduces some powerful general Internet search engines – besides Google. “These alternatives often support different functionality, which can assist in a more productive online experience.” Specifically, she discusses Exalead, hakia, Clusty, and Bing.

WSLL Offers E-Filing Class

To assist attorneys who are now required to submit electronic copies of briefs and other documents when litigating matters at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin State Law Library is offering a class entitled, E-filing: Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The class will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9:30 – …

Employers Increasingly Using Social Networks to Screen Job Candidates

“According to a new study conducted by Harris Interactive for CareerBuilder.com, 45 percent of employers questioned are using social networks to screen job candidates,” reports the New York Times. More from the article: The report showed that Facebook was the most popular online destination for employers to do their online sleuthing, followed by LinkedIn and …

Wisconsin Eye No Longer Available on Time Warner Cable

From the Wisconsin State Journal: The public affairs network Wisconsin Eye said it would end its service to Time Warner customers on Monday night at midnight because the company won’t pay for it. Time Warner serves customers in southeastern Wisconsin and the Fox Valley area — Wisconsin Eye will continue to be available to Charter …

Federal Judiciary to Assess PACER

From the PACER Service Center: The Federal Judiciary has undertaken a year-long, comprehensive program assessment. The goal of the assessment is to identify potential enhancements to existing services and new public access services that could be provided. We are gathering information through focus groups, interviews, and surveys. Please be aware you may be solicited about …

Some WI Firms Cancel, Reduce Summer Associate Programs

From the Wisconsin Law Journal: Though large firms around the country have been cancelling their summer associate programs, the trend had yet to hit in Wisconsin. Until now. Milwaukee-based Quarles & Brady LLP confirmed that they have “suspended” their 2010 summer associate program… Though Quarles is the only firm in the state so far to …

Ten Years and a New Adventure

This week marks my tenth anniversary at the University of Wisconsin Law Library. I feel fortunate to have received the opportunity to work at a great institution, doing a job that I enjoy with a wonderful group of colleagues. Not many people can say that they truly love their job, but I am one of …

Online v. Print Cost Savings Examined

Mark Gediman at 3 Geeks and a Law Blog has an interesting post about law firm cost recovery for online database charges. I find myself constantly explaining/defending/justifying our cost recovery policy. Maybe I’ve been sampling the Kool-aid along the way, but I’ve come to realize that most firms that charge back for online services are …

RECAP Firefox Add-on – Access PACER Docs for Free; Contribute New Docs to Archive

I’m excited about a new Firefox add on called RECAP that “improves the experience of using PACER, the electronic public access system for the U.S. Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts.” According to the website, RECAP: Helps you give back: Contributes to a public archive hosted by the Internet Archive Saves you money: Shows you when …