Oklahoma City University School of Law

Law Student LibGuide–Your Guide to Library Services!

tgatton — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:29 +0000

Many students will be working this summer and taking classes. Keep in mind that the Law Library will still be open and there are services for you, many of which may be accessed from the comfort of your home or office! You can find information on the circulation policy, renewing materials, student services, databases, and more on our LibGuide for Law Students.

Law Student LibGuide– Your Guide to Library Services!

nndeberry — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:38:47 +0000

Bob Loblaw’s Law Blog – Unethical Lawyers on Arrested Development

Jenny Watson — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:22:15 +0000

This Sunday, May 26 Arrested Development will air 15 new episodes on Netflix. The Bluth family is not known for staying on the right side of the law, and their various attorneys don’t seem particularly beholden to their ethical or professional duties. Below is a list of just some of the unethical behavior of Arrested Development’s lawyers.

Rule 1.5 Fees. Barry Zuckerkorn and Bob Loblaw love to overbill, either by charging clients for time spent with other clients (Barry in“In God We Trust”) or by treating a social call from a non-client as billable hours (Bob in “Forget-Me-Now”).
Rule 1.11 Special Conflicts Of Interest For Former And Current Government Officers And Employees. Wayne Jarvis considers representing George Bluth Sr. (“In God We Trust”). In Season Two, he becomes the prosecutor against him (“Sad Sack”).
Rule 1.7 Conflict Of Interest: Current Clients. Bob Loblaw, after billing Lindsay Bluth as a divorce client, represents her husband Tobias (“Making a Stand”).
Rule 1.1 Competence. Barry Zuckerkorn neither reads nor understands the plea offer in “Altar Egos.”
Rule 1.2 Scope Of Representation And Allocation Of Authority Between Client And Lawyer. Barry encourages his clients to engange in criminal and fraudulent behavior. He tries to convince the Bluths to steal evidence from Maggie Lizer (“Altar Egos”) and tells Michael to lie to the police (“Not Without My Daughter”).
Rule 8.1 Bar Admission And Disciplinary Matters. Justice might be blind, but Maggie Lizer isn’t (“Justice is Blind”).
Rule 1.8 Conflict Of Interest: Current Clients: Specific Rules. Wayne Jarvis (“In God We Trust”) and Bob Loblaw (“Making a Stand”) should not date their clients.
Rule 5.5 Unauthorized Practice Of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice Of Law. Chareth Cutestory is not a member of the bar (“Altar Egos”) and Judge Reinhold (“Fakin’ It”) is only named Judge.

Library Closed for Memorial Day Weekend

Jenny Watson — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:58:56 +0000

The University will be closed for Memorial Day weekend. The law library will close at 5pm on Friday, May 24 and reopen on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:30am. Law students and other visitors do not have access to the Gold … Read more

Who Doesn’t Love a Cool Tree House?

tgatton — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:26:03 +0000

City authorities in Holmes Beach, Florida have ordered a couple to tear down their dream tree house. This particular tree house is two stories tall, with hammocks and a view of the Gulf of Mexico. The couple has spent $20,000 on their spectacular tree house and is facing fines of $500 per day. The couple said they were given verbal approval for the tree house and were told that no permits were necessary. However, the city is claiming it may have been misled into thinking this was a simple tree house for children and that “no approval can be inferred from a casual conversation.” Read about the story here.

The Swenning family in Tulsa was involved in a similar dispute in 2011, when a neighbor complained about the family’s tree house. City inspectors found that the family had violated a city ordinance by not obtaining a permit prior to constructing the tree house in their front yard. However, the Swennings had checked with city officials before they did any construction. Fortunately for the Swennings, the Board of Adjustment overturned the inspector’s findings. Click here for the Tulsa World article about the Swennings and their tree house.

Congratulations, Graduates!

tgatton — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:13:29 +0000

After 3 (or more) years of intense studying for law school, you finally have your J.D. Congratulations! Keep in mind that the Law Library is still here for you, even after graduation. We have a LibGuide for Alumni and Attorneys that details the services available to you! Find out what the circulation policy is, what our hours are, what databases will be accessible, and much more! If you have any questions, ask one of our librarians!

Columbia University and its “Whites-Only” Fellowship

tgatton — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:52:17 +0000

Columbia University is in the news this week when its associate provost filed an affidavit in Manhattan state Supreme Court earlier this month in support legal action by the fund’s administrator, JPMorgan Chase Bank, which is seeking to change the terms of the Lydia C. Roberts Graduate Fellowship. This fellowship, established in 1920, mandates that money may only be given to “a person of the Caucasian race” from the state of Iowa. According to a university statement, “Columbia long ago ceased awarding the fellowships in question and does not follow gift conditions that violate anti-discrimination laws. It should go without saying that a university rightly known for the great diversity of its student body is offended as anyone by the requirements of these fellowships.”

If you have an interest in trusts and would like to learn more, the Law Library has a LibGuide on Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning. Ask one of the reference librarians if you would like to know about additional resources!

Graduation Weekend and Summer 2013 Schedule

Jenny Watson — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:06:01 +0000

The library will be open altered hours the weekend of May 17-19, 2013:

Friday, May 17 7:30-9pm
Saturday, May 18 9am-6pm
Sunday, May 19 Noon-8pm

The summer schedule will begin Monday, May 20:

Sunday 12-9pm
Monday through Thursday 7:30am-8pm
Friday 7:30am-5pm
Saturday CLOSED

24 hour access for law students will continue over the summer. The only exceptions will be Memorial Day weekend and Independence Day. Law students and other visitors will not have access to the building May 25, 26, & 27 and July 4.

Students and other visitors should also note that most offices on the Oklahoma City University campus will not be open on Fridays beginning May 17.

White House to Take Action on Making Government Information More Accessible

tgatton — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:46:41 +0000

Last week, the White House issued an Executive Order and an Open-Data Policy (from the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Science and Technology Policy), stating in the press release that “information is a valuable national asset whose value is multiplied when it is made easily accessible to the public. The Executive Order requires that, going forward, data generated by the government be made accessible in open, machine-readable formats, while appropriately safeguarding privacy, confidentiality, and security.”

The White House also plans to make improvements to Data.gov, release free, open source tools, build a 21st century digital government, and continue to work with entrepreneurs and innovators on using government data to improve the lives of the public.

Remembering Professor Richard E. Coulson

tgatton — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:31:05 +0000

Richard E. Coulson, former professor and dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law, passed away on Thursday, May 9th. Professor Coulson graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1968, worked for Judge Murrah in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and joined the faculty of Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1969. He served as dean of the law school from 1974-1976. Professor Coulson retired in 2008, having taught 25 different subjects. Services are pending at Mercer-Adams.

The Law Library has a display in the Reference Wing with pictures, articles, and tributes to Professor Coulson. He will be greatly missed by his former students and peers in the legal profession.