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.

SRLN: Self-Represented Litigation Network

The Self-Represented Litigation Network is a national organization formed under the leadership of Richard Zorza, a former public defender, legal services attorney, and justice technology designer. He is also an avid blogger and a key player in the Access to Justice movement. Through SRLN, Mr. Zorza has created a rich network of resources, especially for those concerned with closing the justice gap. Over the last decade, the SRLN has made great strides in developing innovations, including strategic and empowering uses of technology, to improve the experience of self-represented litigants as they navigate the justice system. 

Membership in SRLN is free, and signing up is easy. As a benefit of joining, members can register for email newsletters and enroll in a number of working groups, including the Forms & Technology group. If you are a legal system professional and would like to get involved, SRLN offers several options. Take a look at what SRLN can do for you and what you can do to improve the experience of pro se litigants.

Happy 101st, Harris County Law Library!

Today, the Harris County Law Library celebrates the 101st anniversary of its grand opening on October 1, 1915. Although plenty has changed over the last century, one thing hasn't - the Law Library is still committed to providing patrons with access to relevant, current, accurate, and practical legal information. With free access to legal research databases, including Westlaw, Lexis Advance, Texas State Bar Practice Manuals, and more, the Law Library continues its commitment as a 21st century institution. Visit our downtown Houston location to learn more about all we have to offer.

You can also discover more about the Law Library's Century of Service through our digital exhibit. Last year, we marked the milestone with a Centennial Celebration featuring keynote speaker Chief Justice Nathan Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas. Videos of the speakers and information about our historic institution are available on our website.

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.

Courting Justice, A Listening Tour to Improve Access to Justice

Judicial leaders from across the country will gather several times this year to engage in a dialog with the communities they serve. This series of town hall meetings, called Courting Justice, is a partnership between the NCSC and PBS. All sessions will be broadcast in Tavis Smiley's regular programming slot. In Houston, Tavis Smiley airs on Friday evenings at 9:00 pm on PBS Channel 8.

Community leaders from disenfranchised groups and others who work in the areas of social justice and advocacy will participate in the discussions. Small business owners, faith leaders, and members of local and national bar associations will also take part. This unprecedented opportunity for judges to engage with their constituents will give voice to those who feel neglected, ignored, or denied access to the justice system. Restoring faith and trust in the judicial process will be the goal.

Future dates and locations for several additional town halls will be announced shortly. The next air dates are September 28 and 29.