Author: Maryanne Daly Doran

From Soldier to JAG: Celebrating Law Students Who Serve This Veterans Day

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Photo of Army Officer Caleigh Heske between the American and German Flag
UConn Law 1L Caleigh Heske, Captain U.S. Army

This Veterans Day, we recognize the remarkable members of our UConn Law community who have served—or continue to serve—in the United States Armed Forces. Currently, there are approximately 31 veterans/service members enrolled at UConn Law. The class of 2028 includes 12 veterans and service members.

One of those students is Caleigh Heske, a first-year law student and active-duty Army officer in the  Army Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Before coming to law school, she led soldiers as an Armor Officer, served in a Cavalry Squadron, and helped plan multinational training exercises in Europe. Now, she’s preparing for a future career in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps.

In her own words below, Heske talks about her service in the military, what brought her to UConn Law, and the School’s growing community of veterans and service members. 

Career Before Law School

Troop Situational Training Exercise, JBLM, WA

“I was commissioned as an Armor Officer in 2020 and completed the Armor Basic Officer Leader Course, as well as the Army Reconnaissance Course, at Ft. Benning, GA. Following training, I moved to Fort Lewis, WA, where I served as a Scout Platoon Leader and then Executive Officer in a Cavalry Squadron. I then completed a broadening assignment in Grafenwoehr, Germany, as an exercise planner for the 7th Army Training Command, with a specific focus on multinational exercises conducted in the Black Sea Region of Europe.”

Transition to Law School

“I knew I wanted to be in the Army for a long time, and I discovered the Army’s “Funded Legal Education Program” while I was in college. The program, which selects 25 officers annually, allows officers to serve in their branch for 2-5 years before transitioning to law school and eventually joining the JAG Corps. The idea is that officers will utilize their knowledge and experience in their original branch to strengthen the JAG Corps. The program allows me to remain on active duty while in school and to work at a JAG office during the summers. Upon completing law school and passing the bar, I will return to the Army full-time as a JAG Officer.”

Army Reconnaissance Course Graduation, Fort. Benning, GA

Adjusting to Law School Life

“The values the Army instilled in me —discipline, resiliency, and preparedness —have made the transition to law school much easier. I am fortunate that another officer participating in FLEP is also a 1L at UConn. Although we did not know each other before orientation, we became fast friends, and he has been someone I constantly rely on for advice. He reminds me of our greater purpose as future JAGs, and I am blessed we get to go through this experience together.”

Finding Community and Purpose

“One of the best aspects of the military is the ability to build strong foundational relationships. Regardless of background or branch, there is a shared unity of values that brings people together quickly. I have found that to be true in VALOR as well. The organization places service first, and the members are always thinking of new ways to give back to the UConn and veteran communities.”

Reflection This Veterans Day

“This Veterans Day, I am reminded of the sacrifices that soldiers and their families make every day, so that people in this country can enjoy the freedom they have.”

Honoring Service Every Day

As we celebrate Veterans Day, the UConn Law community is grateful for students like Caleigh Heske, whose dedication to service inspires those around her. Her journey reminds us that leadership, resilience, and integrity—values forged in military service—enrich our classrooms and strengthen our community.

Organizations like VALOR (Veterans and Armed Forces Legal Outreach), UConn Law’s student veterans group, embody those same values. Through service projects, mentorship, and outreach, VALOR continues to support veterans and build connections between military and civilian students alike.

Veterans make it possible to express our thoughts and emotions freely, have meaningful debates on vital issues, strive for positive change, and exercise our rights as Americans. Please take a moment to thank all of our UConn Law active duty members, veterans and their families for their service and support!

Changing the Clocks: The Legal Story Behind Daylight Saving Time

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This past Sunday, almost all Americans took part in the familiar ritual of changing the time on their clocks. Every year, we “spring ahead” in the spring (though it often still feels like winter) and “fall back” in the fall.

While the extra hour of sleep in the fall can feel like a small gift, the transition isn’t always easy. The earlier sunsets can make evenings feel shorter and darker, often leaving people feeling more tired or out of sync as daylight fades sooner. Each year, as we adjust to the change, many find themselves wondering why we continue to shift between standard time and daylight time. As with many things, there’s a law behind the entire process.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) was first introduced in the United States in 1918. The system has undergone multiple adjustments since then, with the most significant federal framework established under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, Public 89-387. Over the decades, Congress has amended the policy several times — primarily to modify the start and end dates of DST — culminating in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Public Law 109-58 which set the current schedule. The United States Code currently outlines time in Title 15 §§ 260-67.

Oversight of Daylight Saving Time and the nation’s time zones falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation. Today, every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) observes DST. The U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — also do not participate. Under federal law, states may choose to opt out of observing Daylight Saving Time through legislative action. However, they cannot choose to remain on daylight saving time permanently without an act of Congress.

Over the past seven years, 19 states have passed legislation supporting year-round Daylight Saving Time, contingent on federal approval — and, in some cases, similar action by neighboring states. However, because current federal law prohibits permanent DST, Congress must act before any state can officially make the change.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, in 2025, at least 30 states considered or are considering DST legislation. For more information on Daylight Savings Time, check out the 2020 report from Congressional Research Service, which also provides an overview of several studies examining the effects of Daylight Saving Time on safety, energy consumption, and public health.

Haunting the Stacks: Legal Research with a Halloween Twist

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As Halloween approaches, it’s not just ghosts and goblins that come out to play — the spirit of curiosity and legal research awakens as well.  While many are preparing for trick-or-treating and costume parties, legal professionals can embrace the season by refreshing their research skills and exploring the intersections of law and Halloween.

For those looking to dig into spooky scholarship, HeinOnline offers a Halloween-themed blog post, Behind the Bindings: Tricks and Treats in the Law Journal Library,  which uncovers research tips sure to summon fascinating (and perhaps ghostly) findings.  HeinOnline also conjured up 5 creepy court cases that will make your skin crawl.

Additionally, Cleveland State University Law’s  Top Ten Spookiest Law Review Articles provides a curated selection of works that explore the more haunting aspects of legal scholarship — a perfect read for the brave at heart.

For a lighter take on the season, Tanya Johnson’s  popular blog post, Happy Halloween! Legal-Themed Costumes for You and Your Pet, offers creative ideas that blend law and Halloween spirit in fun, imaginative ways.

May this Halloween season inspire both curiosity and scholarly exploration.

Happy Halloween!

Congo Week 2025: Cost of Power, Blood Cobalt & Corporate Responsibility

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Boy holding cell phone

UConn Law’s African Law Association (ALA), Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Energy & Environmental Law Society (EELS), and the UConn Law Library are sponsoring UConn Law's third annual Congo Week October 19-25.

The 18th anniversary of Congo Week features activities that commemorate the millions of lives lost in the Congo Conflict while celebrating the enormous human and natural potential that exists in the country. The goal is to raise global consciousness about the situation in the Congo and advocate for peace, justice and human dignity in partnership with the Congolese people.   

A few semesters back, Kwaku Aurelien, Co-President of the African Law Association at UConn Law,  moderated a symposium featuring Maurice Carney, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Friends of the Congo. This event highlighted the situation in the Congo, and sparked interest in bringing Congo Week to UConn Law. 

The Congo holds the world’s largest deposits of coltan, an essential component for cellphones, play stations and other electronic devices. We urge UConn law students to recognize there are many things they can do to affect change in the lives of the Congolese.  One action item is the “Cell Out” - a digital moment of silence starting at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 22nd. UConn Law encourages all students to turn off their phone for at least one hour, refrain from texting and encourage those in your circle to do the same. Activities abound throughout the UConn Law campus to raise awareness of this global issue. This week of recognition exemplifies the mantra by Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  

For more information on Congo week check out the following: 

Lake with Mountains
Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

If we are sitting on all this wealth, why are we so poor?  Maurice Carney

“Censorship Is So 1984”: A Legal Stand for the Freedom to Read

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Banned Books Week 2025 features the theme  “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” The American Library Association explains that the phrase invokes the dystopian warnings of George Orwell’s 1984 to underscore how censorship remains a real and present threat — not some relic of a past era.

At UConn Law Library, we’re highlighting the legal and societal implications of that debate. From law to literature, from historical court battles to contemporary challenges, our curated Banned Books & the Law display (right by the entrance) will feature titles that have sparked censorship efforts.

We also encourage you to check out our accompanying Banned Books Research Guide, which links to key resources such as cases and legislation and advocacy organizations.

When a title is challenged — the question isn’t only “What do we read?” but “Who decides?” Our display and guide aim to help students, faculty, and patrons grapple with that very question.  This Banned Books Week, join us in resisting censorship, exploring the legal stakes behind challenged works, and reaffirming that the freedom to read is central to the rule of law — not a footnote to it.

 

Supporting Student Well-Being: Law Student Mental Health Day at UConn Law

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Fall in Connecticut brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of cider donuts—but for law students, it can also bring a heavier workload and looming deadlines. The American Bar Association designates October 10th as Law Student Mental Health Day aligning with World Mental Health Day, recognized by the World Health Organization.

Here at UConn Law we’re celebrating a little early with events on Tuesday, October 8—and you’re invited!

Featured Programs – October 8

  • Breakfast Break (9:30-11 am, Library Patio): Hungry?  There's a firm sponsored breakfast break in partnership with CCD on Wednesday 10/8 hosted by Pullman & Comley LLC . Representatives will be there to share coffee, snacks, information, and even a little swag. So please stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and introduce yourself!
  • Student Affairs & Mental Health Committee Tabling (12:30–1:45 pm, Library Patio): Stop by for treats, giveaways, and information about mental health resources in law school and beyond.
  • Yoga on the Quad (12:45–1:30 p.m., Hosmer Quad)
    Take a mindful break with a 45-minute yoga flow led by Christina Cruz ’24, certified yoga instructor and UConn Law alum. All levels are welcome. (Bring a mat if you have one, though it’s not required.) All levels are welcome—this is about moving, breathing, and taking a break.
  • Law Library Display: Visit the library to explore resources on lawyer well-being and mindfulness. You can also dive deeper into these topics through the Student Wellness Research Guide. 

        Year-Round Resources

        Stack of stones next to Daisy flowerYour well-being matters every day, not just on October 10. UConn Law and the Office of Student Affairs provide ongoing support, including:

        • UConn Law offers various resources to help you recognize mental health concerns as well as resources available to help you focus on your well-being.  The UConn Law Office of Student Affairs staff is located in One Stop on the second floor of the library.
        • On-campus Mental Health Counselor, Corrine, offers one on one counseling. Please email her at                       corrine.ochsner@uconn.edu to set up a time to meet! More info available through the UConn Law Student Portal.  
        • BeWell - offers free and confidential mental health support 24/7/365 by calling (833) 308- 3040 (for the US, Canada and the Caribbean). For all other locations please call +1-984-268-2016. This service offers immediate in-the-moment support with a counselor, regardless of your location, to help you manage your concerns.
        • Togetherall -completely anonymous online peer-to-peer mental health support community available free to UConn students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Togetherall provides access to an online community and a wealth of useful resources, including self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, depression and more. Register with your UConn email at: https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/student

          Online Resources:

          Together, UConn Law and the ABA are committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and fostering a culture of wellness in law school and the legal profession.

          No More Cousin ‘I Do’s’, 100+ mph = big fines, and Sunday hunting begins. New CT laws drop Oct. 1.

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          Dozens of new Connecticut laws are set to take effect October 1, 2025, covering everything from hunting rules to towing regulations. Here are some highlights students, researchers, and curious citizens may want to know about:

          Want to dig deeper?
          Explore how these laws took shape with the help our our Connecticut Legislative History Research Guide!

          A Century of Legal Research—On Display in the Library!

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          As the law library’s centennial in 2026 draws near, we’re taking time to reflect on a century of legal research—what has evolved and what has remained constant. From the early days of commercial legal publishing in the United States, publishers have continually promised new ways to make research faster, more comprehensive, and more efficient.

          If you were a student at the Hartford College of Law in the 1920s, you would be learning legal research using books familiar to today’s law students: American Jurisprudence, Shepard’s, and A.L.R. Although these are now accessed primarily in electronic format, they remain relevant and useful resources for legal researchers. 

          The amount of legal information grew exponentially throughout the twentieth century, as legal publishers responded to the increasing complexity of the law with new treatises, looseleafs, and practice materials. Libraries had to confront the inevitable problem of lack of space, and turned to new technologies, including microform, CD-ROMs, and dedicated terminals for Westlaw and Lexis. 

          Electronic access to legal information has been the default for more than twenty years, and we are beginning to move into artificial intelligence as a tool for legal research. These technologies are built upon the structure of books that have been published for over 100 years, and their creators are making the same promises of efficiency and speed.  

          Visit the display near the main entrance of the library to see how legal research books, tools, and technologies have changed over the past 100 years.

          If you have questions or need help navigating the guide, contact the Law Library’s reference staff. We’re here to help!

          Welcome Alumni! Special Reunion Exhibit on 9/13!

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          Welcome back alumni! Join us in celebrating  2025 UConn Law Reunion Weekend  on Saturday, September 13, with a special exhibit: "Memories - From the Law School Archives."  Explore rare photos, documents and milestones that shaped UConn Law through the years.

          Check Out Our Exhibits! 

           

          This Reunion Weekend, the Law Library is opening its doors not just as a study space, but as a place of memory and connection. Alumni, students, and friends are invited to explore special exhibits that highlight the library’s evolution over the decades—its collections, its role in legal education, and its place at the heart of the law school community.

          For a walk down memory lane, we have created several exhibits on the library’s main floor. Check out Celebrating 100 Years of the Law Library, Memories, From the Law School Archives, as well as 100 Years of Legal Research, (directly across from the Circulation desk.)

          Stop by during Reunion Weekend to reconnect with old classmates, revisit the space where so many milestones happened, and see how the library continues to support learning, scholarship, and community.

          We can't wait to welcome you back to the library!

          Newsflash! Digital Access to New York Times and WSJ

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          Stack of Newspapers

          Digital Access to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal is available to all current law students, faculty and staff!  Once signed up, you can read the publications on your computer or phone apps! 

          New York Times 

          Students, faculty, and staff can create an account to view the New York Times website by following the instructions from our catalog.  To create an account, complete your registration (use your UConn email address and create a password!)  

          Once you have an account, you can access the New York Times from anywhere on any device by going to http://www.nytimes.com and logging in with your username and password. You can access from the New York Times app on your phone as well.  

           Wall Street Journal 

          Wall Street Journal access is provided by the UConn School of Business to all active students, faculty and staff at the University.  You can activate your complimentary membership by logging on to this link (you will be prompted for your NetID and password to activate your subscription using this link):  Wall Street Journal Sign Up. To access the WSJ from your phone, simply download the app and log in with your credentials.  

          Happy Reading!