Author: Maryanne Daly Doran

Celebrating Disability Pride: UConn Law Library Display

Posted on July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

In honor of Disability Pride Month, UConn Law Library wishes to celebrate the achievements, contributions and diversity within the disability community. The UConn Law library features a Disability Pride Display adjacent to the circulation desk that features issues related to disabilities in the context of the law.

Image of bookshelf containing selected books related to disability law. — Disability Pride Display at UConn Law Library.

UConn Law Library’s Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Ableism collection contains works that consider issues related to disabilities in the context of the law, education, and other institutions, including neurodiversity and accessibility. This collection curates both online and print items, this print display also features resources that consider the multitude of issues related to disabilities and our society.

Image of low bookshelves with selected books related to disability law. — Disability Pride Display – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Justice (DEIAJ) book collection at UConn Law Library.

Disability Pride Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the need for continued advocacy. The Disability Pride book display hopes to promote awareness while celebrating achievements, and advocating for policy change. All display items are available for checkout to UConn Law students, faculty and staff. Hope to see you all stop by!!

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month: Law Library Resources

Posted on June 28, 2024June 30, 2025 by Maryanne Daly Doran

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. In the realm of law, Alzheimer’s presents unique challenges, particularly concerning estate planning, guardianship, and healthcare directives. Attorneys play a crucial role in assisting families and individuals with Alzheimer’s to navigate legal complexities, ensuring that their wishes are honored and their rights protected throughout the progression of the disease.

Navigating legal issues and planning for the care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be difficult and overwhelming. UConn Law Library has resources which may provide valuable information and support to help you through this difficult time.

Book Cover Alzheimer's and the Law — Alzheimer’s and the Law : Counseling Clients with Dementia and Their Families 5th Floor ; KF3803.A56 P43 2013

UConn Law Library Resources

Research Guide: Elder Law Resources
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Justice Collection: Age, Ageing and Ageism (This collection contains works that address stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups based on their age.)

Open Access Resources

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is a time to unite in our efforts to support those affected by this disease, promote understanding, and work towards a future without Alzheimer’s. Representation with compassion and expertise is of tantamount importance. Let’s continue to shine a light on Alzheimer’s this June and beyond. Together, we can make a difference.

Voices of Heritage: Celebrating Caribbean American Law Students

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

As we commemorate Caribbean American Heritage Month, it’s a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the vibrant contributions and unique perspectives of Caribbean American law students at UConn Law. This month is not only a celebration of culture and heritage but also a recognition of the invaluable impact that Caribbean American students bring to the legal profession. Toni-Ann Gayle and Farah Jean are both rising 3L’s who share their reflections and experiences, shedding light on what it means to balance their rich cultural heritage with the pursuit of legal excellence.

Photo of Toni-Ann Gayle, UConn Law Student of Jamaican Descent — Toni-Ann Gayle, UConn Law Student

Toni-Ann Gayle notes the rich tapestry of her Jamaican heritage and how this month serves as a reminder of her heritage and the legacies she carries forward:

As a Jamaican law student, who migrated to the U.S. in 2015, I am privileged to be equipped with both the resources to fight against adversity, and the lived experiences to remind me why there is so much work to be done. In Connecticut in particular, the largest group of foreign-born immigrants are from Jamaica! As the Jamaican proverb goes “wi likkle, but wi tallawah.” (Roughly translated to “though we are small, we are mighty”) Our presence in the state is evidenced by the fact that our food, music, and culture are always in earshot and can be enjoyed by all. Of course, in the legal system, this also means that there is always more to be done on our part to ensure that there is fair, accessible representation for the Jamaicans who now call this wonderful state their home. I hope to use my law degree to continue being a resource not only for my community, but for every group for which there is not enough representation in the legal field. I am blessed to have experienced growing up in a culture where advocating for justice was the norm. I will keep that lesson steadfast in my legal career.

Farah Jean reflects on how her Haitian heritage has shaped her experience, perspectives, and aspirations at UConn Law:

Photo of Farah Jean, UConn Law Student. — Farah Jean, UConn Law Student

Being Haitian and living in a foreign country has made me acutely aware of how much of the world remains unknown. Throughout law school, I have always been proud to answer the question, ‘Where are you from?’ because I know that Haiti is a country I will always represent, despite its ups and downs. While there is still a long way to go, earning my JD is a significant step toward my goal of giving back to my country in the future. I am thrilled to see Caribbean heritage being celebrated, recognizing the many contributions of Caribbean people in the United States and beyond. People with Caribbean heritage have always been a powerful force, leading the way in making meaningful change.

This month, let us celebrate the rich tapestry of Caribbean cultures and the invaluable contributions of our law students to UConn Law, the legal profession and society at large.

The Legal Tapestry of Flag Day

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

First observed nationally in 1877 to coincide with the centennial commemoration of the flag, the origins of Flag Day can be traced back to June 14, 1777, (available through the Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 available through UConn Law catalog via HeinOnline) when the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. Only Pennsylvania observes Flag day as a legal holiday, but there are many resources that discuss our Flag and this observance.

In June of 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for the national observance of Flag Day. This observance was made permanent with H.J. Res 170 of the 81st Congress, and signed into law in 1949 by President Harry Truman. This made Flag Day a permanent observance, Govinfo.gov summarizes the history of Flag Day.

HeinOnline contains multiple resources about Flag Law and is available at the law library through our onsite computers and remotely for staff and students. In particular, its Supreme Court Library features a four-volume set titled, Flag and the Law: A documentary History of the Treatment of the American Flag by the Supreme Court and Congress, (also available in print in the library) features resources about the history of the flag and relevant law up to 1993.

More information about resources can be found on the HeinOnline Blog, The Flag, the National Anthem, and the First Amendment. Also check out Senate Document 109-18, Our Flag, which discusses the history of the Flag and observances.

For those interested in a deeper dive about the law governing unofficial flags on town property and school property in Connecticut, check out the research report authored UConn Law Alumna Taylorann Vibert: Unofficial Flags on Town and School Property through the Office of Legislative Research in Connecticut.

Advocacy on All Fours – UConn Mascot Jonathon XV’s Testimony Before State Legislature

Posted on June 10, 2024June 10, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

The Connecticut State Legislature recently passed Public Act No. 24-121 which among other things, designated the Siberian Husky as the state dog! Jonathon XV, the UConn mascot, shared his own “tail” of representing UConn as the school’s mascot, and why the Siberian Husky should be designated the state dog, when the bill came up before legislature.

After reading about this and the adoption of the lollipop as the state candy in news sources, I wondered, how do I find this canine advocate's "testimony"? Well, the Connecticut General Assembly site should be your first step, and you are able to read most current testimony if you are armed with either the Bill number, Public Act number, or both!

Thank You Graduating Library Student Employees!

Posted on April 23, 2024April 24, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

As this semester concludes, we want to pay tribute to our graduating library student employees! They have been instrumental in keeping the library services running! Our students staff the desk on weekends, nights, and during finals. They assist students with course reserves, printing, scanning and library computers and are a terrific source of information about the library and law school. In the words of Anne Rajotte, Associate Director of Research, Instruction, and Scholarship:

Student workers are vital to the library. They help us stay open on nights and weekends, assist at the main desk, and do a lot behind the scenes too. We are going to miss our graduating students and all of the great work they’ve done

To all of our graduating 3L’s, thank you! We wish you all the best and hope you stay in touch as you embark upon your legal careers! We will miss you all!

National Library Week: Ready, Set, Library & The Game of Life

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

National Library Week (April 7-13, 2024) is a celebration of libraries and library workers. The theme for this year’s library week is “Ready, Set, Library” which “illustrates the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most…. no matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey—preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family—the library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs.”

The same is true for our law library, no matter where you find yourself on your legal journey, the UConn Law Library has resources to assist as well as provide an inclusive and supportive community. Much like the iconic board game of life, the journey is an adventure filled with discovery, knowledge, and endless opportunities for growth.

Ready: Legal Research Help

The law library is here to offer everyone legal research assistance. Every member of the Connecticut community, alumni, law students, students of all ages, are encouraged to ask us reference questions. If you are experienced or new to legal research, or someone in between, contact us via phone (860-570-5200), email (refdesk.lawlib@uconn.edu) or visit us in person and we will help you.

If we are not available, our Research Guides are a great place to consult and provide information on many topics including on Connecticut Law, Free Online Legal Research and a Student Toolkit.

Set: Navigating the Legal Landscape

As we set foot in the library, amidst the shelves lined with books, online resources, and digital archives, we have the power to expand our horizons, deepen our understanding, and transform in profound ways. Even though you will face unexpected twists and turns, we can assist you overcome those obstacles with specialized resources and knowledge.

For all researchers we have specialized legal databases. These include HeinOnline, which has many resources including bar journals, complications of state laws, and government documents as well as Westlaw, which is a comprehensive full-text legal database that includes primary and secondary legal materials, legal news, and law related documents. We will help you find the right resource for your question.

Library: The Heartbeat of Community

Much like the game of life, the practice of law is an ever-evolving adventure, filled with twists and turns, challenges and triumphs. Our library serves as a hub of community engagement and information exchange. Like gathering around the game of life board with friends and family, we come together in the library to connect and exchange ideas.

Join us this week in celebration of Library Week. Check out our Game of Life Book display for the variety of resources available to you at any stage of your journey! Play the game, ‘UConn Law Library: How Do we Help You?’ and come to the main desk to collect your prize!

April Fools’ Day! When Media Mischief Means Litigation!

Posted on March 29, 2024March 29, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

Next Monday is April 1st, a.k.a. April Fool’s Day! If you are thinking about pulling a prank or see something suspicious in a media outlet, remember what starts out as a practical joke sometimes ends up with legal trouble.

In Connecticut, a joke went too far when April Fools’ Day story published by a local newspaper parodying a commercial developer struck a nerve and led to a lawsuit. The case, Victoria Square, LLC v. Glastonbury, brought forth claims of defamation, invasion of privacy by false light and violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA). The Superior court held that the newspaper article discussing a planned development with a huge Wal-Mart, a Hooters facing a church and school, and a helicopter launching pad, was clearly a parody of the newspaper’s usual content and not defamatory.

Other media outlets such as radio stations should remember that broadcasters need to be careful with any practical jokes or pranks prepared especially for the day. The FCC’s rule against broadcast hoaxes, Section 73.1217, prevents stations from running any information about a “crime or catastrophe” on the air, if the broadcaster (1) knows the information to be false, (2) it is foreseeable that the broadcast of the material will cause substantial public harm and (3) substantial public harm is in fact caused.

Bottom line: think before you prank and if a story sounds too good to be true, take a deeper dive!

Database Spotlight! Women and the Law (Peggy) from Hein

Posted on March 15, 2024March 15, 2024 by Maryanne Daly Doran

March is Women’s History Month and UConn Law Library is celebrating by highlighting some of its resources focusing on women and the law.

Women and the Law (Peggy), is a collection on HeinOnline that brings together more than 3,600 fully searchable books, biographies, and periodicals dedicated to the role of women in society and the law.

This collection provides a platform for users to research the progression of women’s roles and rights in society over the past 200 years. It also includes titles from Emory University Law School’s Feminism and Legal Theory Project which provide a platform to view the effect of law and culture on the female gender.

HeinOnline has created a LibGuide with more information on the collection.

And if you are wondering why the collection is also called Peggy, take a look at the collection’s homepage for the story!

How do I access Women and the Law (Peggy)?

Go to the Library website
Click on Databases A-Z under the Top Library Tools section on lower right
Scroll down to HeinOnline Women and the Law (Peggy)

Leap Year and the Law

Posted on February 26, 2024June 30, 2025 by Maryanne Daly Doran

2024 is a Leap Year, where an additional day (the 29th!) is added to February every four years.

For leapers, born on February 29th, there are annoyances and medical challenges in their lives. On the legal front, complications caused by that extra day affect areas such as age determination disputes, statutes of limitation, and criminal sentencing.

In the Nutmeg state, a quick search resulted in several cases that reflect the myriad of logistical and legal problems associated with this extra day. In Lorusso v. McClain the plaintiff argued that she commenced her action in a timely manner due to the definition of the word “year” which is not limited to 365 calendar days during a leap year (2016), thus permitting the plaintiff to deliver the writ, summons and complaint to the marshal on the 366th calendar day. The court determined that in the context of computing the statute of limitations and unless expressed otherwise, the 29th day in the month of February during a leap year is to be counted with the 28th day of February of the same leap year.

To learn more about the leap year and the law, check out this blog post from Thomson-Reuters:

Thomas J. Meskill Law Library