October 31, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 10/31, we went over the Dworman case. On Thursday, we will finish the Dworman case. I distributed an article on personal jurisdiction in internet-related cases. The assignment for Thursday 11/2 is to read and prepare to discuss that article. If you were not in class, I left copies of that article in my mailbox in Room 300.

PL 205--Research
In class today, Tuesday 10/31, we went over the Spencer case. On Thursday 11/2 we will continue with our digest research. The assignment is to write up any research cases that you have finished.

October 26, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 10/26, we finished going over the questions at the end of Chapter 5. We played our respective roles in the BHE controversy. I distributed 2 handoouts, one the Maine long-arm statute and the other the Maine Supreme Court case of Commerce Bank v. Dworman. The assignment for Tuesday 10/31 is to first read the Maine long-arm statute and the case. Then write up a summary of the case (typed, to be handed in and graded). The summary should have the components of Background Facts, Question Presented (the big issue), Issue(s), Answer(s), and Resolution. [The case goes over many already established rules for personal jurisdiction. Do not confuse these with the actual issues that the Court deals with. Limit your summary to those issues in which the court actually has a question to deal with, and how it answers that question.]

PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday 10/26, we conducted research, including Shepardizing. The assignment for Tuesday !0/31 is to brief the recent Maine Supreme court case of Spencer v. VIP, 2006 ME 120. In addition to the regular components of the brief, I would like you to include a section on the Issues and Holdings as discussed by the 2 dissenting justices. (In addition, the ongoing assignment is to write up the results of the research that you have done in the class.)

October 24, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 10/24, we went over the questions at the end of Chapter 5. On Thursday, 10/26, we will finish up those questions, and then do the role-playing exercise that I distributed in class today.

PL 205--Research
In class today, Tuesday 10/24, I distributed a new model format for Shepardizing cases. All research from this day forward must Shepardize any case cited. On Thursday, 10/26, we will continue with Digest caselaw research.

October 19, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 10/19, we went over the Summary of Opinion #187. We did some practice role playing regarding the retention/return of client file materials. The assignment for Tuesday 10/24 is to read chapter 5 of the textbook. At the end of the chapter, write out (to hand in, graded) the 7 Practice Questions on pp.173-174.

PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday 10/19, I distributed 2 handouts, one on citation form and one a slight revision of the Digest research format. (If you were not in class, I left a copy of the handouts in my mailbox in Room 300.) We went over the Sherbert case brief. We did Digest research. The assignment for Tuesday 10/24 is to read about Shepards Citations in the textbook, pp. 167-178.

October 17, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday October 17, we went over the Chapter 4 Ethical questions, and some of the intricacies of the Chapter 4 text. The assignment for Thursday October 19, is to do a Summary of Professional Ethics opinion #187. If you were not in class today, I left a copy of the Opinion in my mailbox in Room 300. You can also access the Opinion by going to
www.mebaroverseers.org
and then going to Ethical Opinions and Professional Ethics Opinions, and scroll down to #187, regarding turning over client files to the client.

PL 205--Research
In class today, Tuesday October 17, we continued with the Digest research. The assignment for Thursday October 19, is to do a case brief of the recent Law Court case of Sherbert v. Remmel, 2006 ME 116.

October 12, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday, 10/12, we went over the 5 textbook questions regarding the Powell bankruptcy case. We did interviewing practice around the question of filling out forms and the unauthorized practice of law. The assignment for Tuesday, 10/17 is to read Chapter 4 of the textbook, and prepare to discuss the 6 ethical questions at the end of the chapter on pages 133-134 (no written assignment).

PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday, 10/12, we went over the Napier brief. I distributed a handout that gave the format that I want you to follow in doing research in the Digests. I also distributed the first research questions, and the class began their work in the Digests. The assignment for Tuesday, 10/17 is to continue working on those research questions, although there is no specific due date for those questions. The basic schedule will be for you to do research in class, and to continue that research and write to up that research for your homework.

October 5, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday, 10/5, we went over Opinion #8. I distributed 2 handouts, one an excerpt from conflict of interest Maine Bar Rules, and the other the web site for the homework assignment. On Tuesday 10/10, Husson will observe the solemn occasion of the day after Columbus Day. The assignment for next Thursday 10/12 is to finish reading Chapter 3 of the textbook. Then write out to hand in (graded) Question #2 under Using Internet Resources on p. 103 of the text. (Answer the 5 question) You can get to the case by using the findlaw site as directed in the text, or the case can also be accessed by going directly to

http://www.canb.uscourts.gov/canb/Documents.nsf/bf0c3519af9731c88825671d00666479/8152a13a3102bd6c88256aa4007c7cc3?OpenDocument

I left a copy of the handouts in my mailbox in Room 300.


PL 205--Research
In class today, Thursday, 10/5, we went over the Beam brief. We also went over the use of Digests, and went to the Husson Library to look at the Maine Key Number Digest. We will start doing Digest research next class. On Tuesday 10/10, Husson will observe the joyous occasion of the day after Columbus Day. The assignment for next Thursday, 10/12 is to do a case brief (hand in, graded) of the U.S. District Court case of NaPier v. Baldacci. I distributed a handout that gave the website of that case. I left a copy of the handout in my mailbox in Room 300. You can access the case by going to the web site for the case which is:


http://www.med.uscourts.gov/opinions/hornby/2006/dbh_09212006_2-06cv151_napier_v_maine_governor.pdf

The case is NaPier v. Baldacci, and if you have any trouble with this site, you can also find all U.S. District Court for the district of Maine opinions at


http://www.med.uscourts.gov/

October 3, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 10/3, we went over Ethics Opinion #156. We did interviewing about the problems posed by the initial appointment. We also went over the differences between the rules given in the text versus the requirements of the Maine Bar Rules. I distributed a sample case summary of Opinion #156. The assignment for Thursday 10/5 is to do a summary of ethics Opinion #8, found at
http://www.mebaroverseers.org/Ethics%20Opinions/Opinion%208.htm
(to be typed, 2 copies made, to be graded)
Also read pp. 78-81 of the text.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 10/3, we went over the Tozier brief, and discussed its myriad lessons. The assignment for Thursday 10/5 is to read pp. 155-167 of the text regarding the use of Digests. Also brief the Beam case found on p. 567 of the text (to be typed, 2 copies made, to be graded)