Latest & Greatest – Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers

By David G. Ries, Sharon D. Nelson, and John W. Simek

Published by ABA Law Practice Division

QA 76.9 .A25 N455 2015

Seeking to take the fear out of encryption and what it entails, the authors of Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers set upon the task of proving that encrypting information is not as complicated and difficult as it may seem to those not fully versed in the language of “techspeak”. From its earliest forms, e.g. ciphers and secret decoder rings, encryption has been used to make communications secret and secure, and in this age of cyberterrorism and data breaches, understanding how to encrypt confidential information has taken on even greater importance. The authors begin by explaining, in simple terms, the basics of encryption technology, such as the Data Encryption Standard algorithm, digital certificates, and symmetric and asymmetric encryption before discussing the nuances of encrypting laptops and desktops, smartphones, and portable drives. The authors also stress the need to protect data as it travels through various networks or into the cloud as well as the practicality of securing individual documents.

If you don’t think that you need to encrypt or further secure your documents, you may be mistaken. As the authors readily point out: lawyers have an ethical obligation to keep communications confidential. Encryption Made Simple for Lawyers can help you perform that duty or, at a minimum, convince you that you need to obtain the services of a qualified professional. Don’t wait until a data breach to take action.

Immigration Law Resource Month

In October, we at the Harris County Law Library are continuing to highlight our collection of immigration law resources. Throughout the month, we will feature materials, in the library an online, to assist you in conducting research and learning about immigration law in the United States.

Several new immigration law resources are now on our shelves, including the 15th edition of Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook, and the 17th edition of U.S. Immigration Made Easy, published by Nolo Press. On Westlaw, you can access the latest immigration news and analysis, as well as immigration law treatises, and official immigration forms. Lexis provides additional access to popular immigration titles, including Benders Immigration Law Bulletin and Benders Immigration Case Reporter. Both Westlaw and Lexis can be accessed on our computers in the Law Library.

These titles are just a few of the immigration law items in our collection. Additional resources will be featured throughout the month in the Law Library and on our blog.

Latest & Greatest - Social Media and Local Governments: Navigating the New Public Square

By Patricia E. Salkin & Julie A. Tappendorf

Published by the American Bar Association. Section of State and Local Government Law

KF 5300 .S63 2013

With more widespread use of social media in the workplace, it is imperative that attorneys in both the public and private sectors understand the opportunities it offers in the form of marketing and the dissemination of information and the challenges it presents in terms of ensuring the reliability of the information provided and of maintaining confidentiality where required.  Written for attorneys who work in the public sector, Social Media and Local Governments: Navigating the New Public Square explains the benefits and pitfalls that this ubiquitous technology can present. From its practical uses in the government context to legal questions, the authors cover all aspects of social media to allow government attorneys make informed decisions regarding the implementation of social media policies for its employees and the establishment and maintenance of its own online presence. This book is a must-read for any government lawyer exploring the use of social media for its own purposes.

Immigration Law and Internment Camps in Texas - a digital exhibit

As part of this year's Gulf Coast Reads program, the Law Library will hold a three-part lecture series during the month of October and display exhibits focusing on the legal aspects of this year's featured work - The Train to Crystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell. Exhibits include statues and case law discussed in the book as well as proclamations made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that made the family internment camp at Crystal City, Texas possible. As an added bit of historical interest, the exhibited volumes of U.S. Statutes at Large containing FDR's proclamation have been in the Law Library's collection since the early 1940s, which makes them contemporary artifacts from the World War II legal environment discussed in The Train to Crystal City.

Visit our downtown Houston location to see the exhibits in person or check out our digital exhibit now available on our website.

Latest & Greatest – The Rights of the Accused under the Sixth Amendment: Trials, Presentation of Evidence, and Confrontation

By Paul Marcus, Joelle Anne Moreno, Tommy E. Miller, and David K. Duncan

Published by the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section (2016)

KF 4558 .M37 2016

Recognizing that the Sixth Amendment encompasses more than just an accused’s right to counsel, the authors, hailing from diverse professional backgrounds, analyze the other protections offered by the Constitution to a criminal accused in their new book, The Rights of the Accused under the Sixth Amendment: Trials, Presentation of Evidence, and Confrontation. Divided into seven chapters, the book focuses upon the following rights: the right to a speedy trial, the right to a public trial, the right to a jury trial, the place of prosecution, the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusations, the Confrontation Clause, and the Compulsory Process Clause. After discussing the historical foundations of these rights, the authors delve into the essence of each entitlement and address the scope and application of the right, the waiver of such right, and recent developments surrounding that right.

Comprehensive and well-researched, The Rights of the Accused under the Sixth Amendment: Trials, Presentation of Evidence, and Confrontation provides the reader with a clear understanding of the intricacies of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Whether you are a seasoned criminal defense attorney or just someone who is interested in learning more about the Sixth Amendment, The Rights of the Accused under the Sixth Amendment: Trials, Presentation of Evidence, and Confrontation is a great resource. Look for it in the Criminal Section of the Harris County Law Library.