November 30, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday, 11/30, we went over the Brown brief. I distributed a new case, Gregory v. City of Calais. The assignment for Tuesday, 12/5, is to brief the Gregory case. In addition to the usual components of the brief, also include a short paragraph explaining the views of the concurring opinion. Also, read Chapter 7 of the text. If your were not in class, I left a copy of the case in my mailbox in room 300. You can also access the case from its website,
http://www.courts.state.me.us/opinions/documents/01me82gr.htm

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Thursday, 11/30, we continued with both the reseach projects, and research for the memo. The assignment for Tuesday, 12/5, is to continue to write up those research projects, and to continue work on your memos. Pay attention to the due dates listed on the handout distributed on Tuesday. I also announced to the class that next Thursday, 12/7, will be the last day to hand in alternative assignments if you missed any previous assignments. In addition to the research, also read Chapter 17 of the text, the second chapter about how to write a research memo.

November 28, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 11/28, we went over the State and Federal Forms, as well as concepts from Chapter 6 of the text. I distributed 2 handouts, one a selection from the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, and the other the case of Brown v. Thaler. The assignment for Thursday 11/30 is to brief the Brown case, as well as to read the Maine Rules handout. If you were not in class, I left a copy of the handouts for you in my mailbox in Room 300. You can also access the Brown case at the following website:

http://www.courts.state.me.us/opinions/2005%20documents/05me75br.htm

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 11/28, we went over Assignment 4 from Chapter 18 of the text. I distributed a handout that went over the requirements and timing for the Memo assignment, and we divied up the Memo topics. The assignment in the text is to read Chapters 16 and 17 on the Interoffice Memo, as well as to work on the Research cases and the Memo.

November 21, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 11/21, we went over the exam. Then we started discussing Chapter 6 of the text. I distributed 2 handouts, the Maine and the federal forms from the Rules of Civil Procedure. If you were not in class, I left a copy of the handouts in my mailbox in Room 300. The assignment for Tuesday 11/28 is to read the handouts. I hope you have a good Thankgiving.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 11/21, we went over the assignment from Chapter 12 of the text. We then continued the research projects. In terms of the research projects, I have settled on six as the minimum number of research projects I want you to complete. If you complete more than that number, I will choose the best 6 grades from your research projects. The assignment for Tuesday 11/28 is to read Chapter 13 of the text. Prepare to discuss Assignment 4 on p. 402 (no written assignment). I hope you have a good Thankgiving.

November 16, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 11/16, we had Exam #1. On Tuesday, we will go over the exam and discuss the reading. The assignment for Tuesday 11/21 is to read Chapter 6 of the text.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Thursday 11/16, I went over the use of ALR on Westlaw. We continued our research projects. The assignment for Tuesday 11/21 is to read Chapter 12 of the text. Then write up (to hand in, graded) Assignment 7 on p. 382, all parts (A-G).

November 14, 2006

PL 100-Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 11/14, we went over the Stewart case. After that, I distributed a short sample test, which we went over. On Thursday 11/16 we will have our first exam. If for any reason you cannot be in class Thursday, you must contact me as soon as possible, and you must make arrangements to take the test before class on Tuesday 11/21, or you may receive a zero for the exam. (Check the syllabus.)

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 11/14, I went over how to do a digest search on Westlaw. Then we continued our research projects. The homework is to continue to write up the results of those research questions.

November 9, 2006

PL 100---Intro.
In class today, Thursday 11/9, we went over the Landmark Realty case and brief. The assignment for Tuesday, November 14 is to do a case brief of Stewart v. Tupperware, 356 F.3d 335. If you were not in class, I left a copy of the case in my mailbox in room 300. It can also be found at the following website:

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=1st&navby=case&no=031404

Also on Tuesday, we will do some preparation for the exam. There will be an exam on Thursday, 11/16.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Thursday 11/9, we went over other searches on Westlaw, and Keyciting. I distributed 2 handouts, one on the format for Westlaw research, and the other on the format for Keyciting. The assignment is to continue your research and writing up of your research.

November 7, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Tuesday 11/7, we went over the Connelly v. Doucette brief. The assignment for Thursday 11/9 is to do a casebrief of Landmark Realty v. Leasure, 2004 ME 85. If you were not in class, I left a photocopy of this case in my mailbox in room 300. You can also access the case at the following website:

http://www.courts.state.me.us/opinions/2004%20documents/04me85la.htm

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today, Tuesday 11/7, we went over the basics of a terms and connectors search on Westlaw. I distributed a handout regarding the Order of Processing in Westlaw. If you were not in class, I left a photocopy of this handout in my mailbox in room 300. The assignment for Thursday 11/9 is to read the handout, and continue to do and to write up your research projects.

November 2, 2006

PL 100--Intro.
In class today, Thursday 11/2, we finished going over the Dworman case. I distributed 3 handouts, the Sample case brief, the rules about citation form, and the Connelly case. The assignment for Tuesday 11/7, is to write a case brief of the Connelly case, following the format of the Sample case brief.

PL 205--Legal Research
In class today we continued with the Digest research. The assignment for Tuesday 11/7 is to read Chapter 7 of the text, and to become comfortable navigating through the various Westlaw screens. Also, continue writing up your research results.