Spring 2008

Business Law Today
The Section of Business Law dedicates its entire March/April 2008 issue to exploring business courts, particularly the introduction of new business courts and specialized commercial litigation dockets, and the opposition that they have faced. Particularly noteworthy articles include  “Strangers in a Strange Land,” which examines intellectual property judicial systems throughout the world; “Beyond the Border: An International Perspective on Business Courts,” a further exploration of worldwide courts; and “The Untold Story of Bankruptcy Courts: A Positive Resource for Business,” which explains the importance of federal bankruptcy courts.

Student Lawyer
As the economy sinks, competition for jobs, particularly for law students interested in working for large, high-paying firms has drastically increased. “From Law Student to Lawyer,” featured in the May 2008 Student Lawyer magazine, offers tips to soon-to-be practicing lawyers on how being detail-oriented, committed and professional can help them transition from student to lawyer. The same issue also features an article on “Salary Trends for New Associates.”

Probate & Property
The May/June 2008 issue focuses on the ongoing battle between smokers and non-smokers in multi-home dwellings, including owner-occupied condominiums and tenant-occupied apartment buildings. “Butt Out: Controlling Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Condominiums” presents several related cases from around the country and their outcomes.

Criminal Justice
“Cross-Racial Identification of Defendants in Criminal Cases” is an in-depth look at eyewitness identifications and the effects that race can have on the accuser. The author, David E. Aaronson, offers a model on jury instruction, compares that model with others and addresses arguments that oppose the use of cross-racial jury instructions. This article is available in the spring 2008 issue.

Family Advocate
Complementing the ABA Section of Family Law’s recent meeting on the intersection of law and psychology, the spring 2008 issue of Family Advocate is dedicated to lawyers and psychologists working together. Related articles include “Essentials of a Forensic Child Custody Evaluation,” “The Art of Interviewing Young Children” and “Standards of Practice for Mental Health Experts.”

Note: Accredited reporters can contact Tamiko Lee at leet@staff.abanet.org for free copies of the listed publications.