I haven't cracked a reporter -- those books you see on lawyer's shelves, usually brown or green covers -- in close to 7 or 8 years. I do much, though not all, of my own research and when I do research there are many databases available. WestLaw, Lexis/Nexis, Hein online (for law review articles) and the bar association has a database called FastCase. Those are all useful if I know the broad question I'm trying to answer. There are also apps that collect Louisiana statutes for the iPhone. They're relatively inexpensive and update automatically, as opposed to the books, which are quite expensive and have to updated with a new book every year. The one exception, for me, is the Louisiana Civil Code. I've got a mental block for article numbers but I can find anything in the physical book. My copy is a few years old, so once I find the correct article, I head to the Louisiana legislature's website to make sure it's up to date. If I know the citation, Google has a nifty and quick service called Google Scholar that can find and print a case in about three minutes. With all that said, I'm sure I'm behind the curve as for what clerks do when they research. And I don't really care how they get the information so long as I'm sure -- and I frequently with new folks check my own bad self -- that what they're giving me is still good law. Very few things in this job are as embarrassing as citing something and having opposing counsel come up with a case that overruled it.
You are ahead of my doctor. He is 75 and he still hand writes all the medical records and keeps them in folders in his office. He has computers in his office and he knows how to use them but he prefers to do it the old fashioned way.
@Bengal B Reminds me of a funny story. Some years ago, I went to an old lawyer's office for a deposition. When I walk in, I see a certificate from the bar association congratulating him on 50 years of membership -- dated about 10 years before the deposition. He had a secretary almost as old as him pounding away on an IBM Selectric and next to her was a 1980s vintage IBM computer. I asked him why she was using the typewriter when she had a computer right there and he replied, "I bought that damned thing for her almost 30 years ago and she's never turned it on. She's scared of. it." I was floored that he could run his office -- and represent a fairly large client -- with no contact to the outside world other than a phone and fax line.
Prop stores sell a lot of fake law books by the linear foot to young lawyers who don't use books but need an office that looks like they do.
That's a great idea. I wish I had thought of it. I don't know if they still do but before the fire Claitor's Book Store on Perkins and Acadian sold more law books than anybody else in the country.
RIP Robin... Oscar winner and comedian Robin Williams died this morning at 63. While his publicist wouldn’t confirm that it was a suicide, they did issue this statement. “Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” Williams, who won an Oscar for his supporting role in Good Will Hunting, will reprise his role as Theodore Roosevelt in the third installment of Night at the Museum this December. He had recently signed on to reprise his beloved role as Mrs. Doubtfire in a sequel to be directed by Chris Columbus and was last seen opposite Annette Bening in the indie film The Face of Love. Story developing… http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/08/11/robin-williams-dead-at-63/
That't too bad. Robin Williams was a very funny guy. Makes you wonder why somebody with such a great sense of humor would want to kill himself.
Probably one of the greatest comedians during my lifetime, but damn he battled some personal demons. The fact that they suspect suicide is not surprising. RIP Robin.
