Articles Posted in Lawyers and Law Librarians, News Humor Etc.

Introduction

Between now and 2030, law-librarian roles will transform rather than vanish. While routine tasks like first-pass reference triage, some technical cataloging, and current-awareness pathfinders will increasingly be automated, demand will rise for librarians with expertise in AI policy, knowledge architecture, data stewardship, research quality assurance, vendor evaluation, and legal analytics.

Institutions that pair clear AI governance, staff training, and data management will not only retain headcount but also create specialist positions, reshaping the profession.
Key sources: AALL State of the Profession 2025 · ILTA 2024 Tech Survey · ABA AI TechReport 2024 · Thomson Reuters Future of Professionals 2024 · WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025

A review of  Unlocking the Future: Leveraging Technology for Personal and Professional Success, by Jeffrey M. Allen & Ashley Hallene (ABA Book Publishing 2025), 480 pp., ISBN 978-1-63905-629-3; e-book ISBN 978-1-63905-630-9; Senior Lawyers Division sponsor; list price $39.95.

The Book in Brief

In this book, Jeffrey Allen and Ashley Hallene aim to demystify fast-moving technologies for working professionals, especially lawyers, law librarians  and others specializing in the law, by pairing plain-English explanations with practical checklists, tool rundowns, and risk-management advice. The American Bar Association positions the book as a comprehensive guide to “essential tools, AI, cybersecurity, [and] health tech,” organized into meticulously crafted chapters that double as a reference you can consult as needed. It runs 480 pages and is available in both print and e-book formats, with the Senior Lawyers Division serving as sponsor.¹ The ABA’s “New Books” listing shows a $39.95 list price.²

Articles and observations about the art of living a meaningful life included in the July/August 2025 issue of Experience magazine published by the Senior Lawyers Section of the American Bar Association:

As we dive into the July/August 2025 issue of Experience, we celebrate the empowering theme at its heart: living with intention, creativity, and deep human connection. Across a diverse array of articles  contributors explore how seniors, especially those transitioning from long legal careers, are crafting lives rich in meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. For example:

  • In Living Is the Meaning of Life, Seth D. Kramer affirms Herb Cohen’s uplifting mantra that “the meaning of life … is more life,” underlining that fully embracing new experiences, from arts to sport to technology, is its own art form.

Opening Statement:

In a democracy founded on the rule of law, the independence of the legal profession is not merely a professional concern, it is a public necessity. Recent events involving unprecedented attempts to target a prominent law firm highlight the critical intersection between the role of lawyers and the constitutional limits on presidential power. Understanding this moment requires not only examining the specific facts but appreciating the broader principles at stake: free speech, access to counsel, and the preservation of democratic governance against executive overreach.

Introduction

FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW LIBRARIES (AALL)

Dear Colleagues,

The American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) is deeply concerned by the recent dismissal of the Librarian of Congress and Register of Copyrights. As the head of the Library of Congress, home to the Law Library of Congress and one of the most important public institutions in the world, the Librarian of Congress plays a critical role in ensuring access to accurate, reliable, and nonpartisan legal and legislative information. This is an essential part of civic understanding and democratic governance.

The Library of Congress serves as the research arm of Congress, houses the U.S. Copyright Office, and maintains one of the most comprehensive collections of knowledge and culture worldwide. Its ongoing modernization and commitment to public access are especially important at a time when trustworthy information is increasingly at risk.

The Law Library of Congress is also a vital public institution. Its extensive collections include U.S. federal and state laws, legal materials from nearly every country, and documents from international and regional organizations. These resources help people understand legal systems in the United States and globally. The Law Library ensures this information is preserved, organized, and accessible to all.

The Register of Copyrights registers copyright claims, maintains public records, and administers U.S. copyright law. This position has long been nonpartisan and housed within the Library of Congress to uphold professional independence and public trust. Law library professionals are deeply concerned about the Register’s recent dismissal. An independent Copyright Office is essential to ensuring continued access to legal information, protecting intellectual property rights, and supporting the lawful use and sharing of copyrighted works. Removing the Register without transparency undermines the legal framework libraries, researchers, and the public rely on to access trusted and authenticated resources.

Librarians play a unique role in making complex information understandable and available. Among the many individuals and entities their work supports are the courts, legislatures, researchers, and the general public. These roles must be protected from undue external pressure. Undermining their independence threatens the stability and credibility of institutions that serve the public good.

AALL stands with our colleagues at the Library of Congress and across the legal profession who work every day to protect access to the law and are essential to supporting transparency, accountability, and justice. We reaffirm the principles that must guide appointments to positions of public trust: professional expertise, institutional independence, and a strong commitment to public service. We know our members are watching closely, and we share their concern. AALL remains committed to defending the integrity of public access to legal information and the professionals who make it possible.

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Cornell H. Winston

AALL President

The new year is the perfect time to set and achieve your professional development goals. By focusing on small, actionable steps, you can grow your education and enhance your professional skills. Here are some opportunities offered by the American Association of Law Libraries  (AALL) to inspire your 2025 journey:

  • Nominate yourself or a colleague for a 2025 AALL Award.
  • Apply to lead as the next editor of AALL Spectrum when the call opens on January 28, 2025.

David Badertscher Honored at the 14th Annual FellowshipLIFE Foundation Gala

David Badertscher, a resident of Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and former resident of Westfield, and publisher of the Criminal Law Library Blog was honored at the 14th Annual FellowshipLIFE Foundation Gala. The event took place at the Heidrich Hotel in New Brunswick, where David was recognized with the following citation:

David Badertscher, Fellowship Village Gala Honoree Citation:

On July 17, 2024, we noticed a posting from Wisblawg which stated in part that “In recent months web developers and SEO experts have noted significant changes in Google’s Indexing practices observing a shift toward more selective indexing of web content…” Having already received other indications over the past year of impending changes in indexing practices by Google, we decided it was time to take a deeper dive into the subject.

The following is a compilation of our findings, ending with statistical information derived from an AI search using ChatGPt:

 Introduction

Although retired as an active law librarian, I try to keep up with current developments by maintaining memberships in AALL, SLA, ABA, and maintaining contacts with friends currently active in the profession. I also have been publishing articles on the Criminal Law Library Blog since 2007 on various subjects, including those related to law, law librarians, and artificial intelligence.

I am grateful to have been able to maintain all of these relationships through the years and hope the below article will help my professional colleagues realize the potential of AI as a powerful ally. In my view, AI has the potential to revolutionize the services provided by law librarians through various means including those outlined below.

  1. Enhanced Legal Research

From the ABA Science and Technology Section:

The Science and Technology Section will be holding a webinar, Responsible Generative AI Usage for Attorneys, on Tuesday July 9, 2024, 1-2pm E.T. the webinar  is designed to introduce attorneys to one of the most powerful tools available to attorneys: generative artificial intelligence. We’re all aware of the opportunities and pitfalls that A.I. presents to attorneys. This discussion will help you understand how to responsibly use A.I. to further your practice, whether you work in transactional law or litigation, all while complying with your ethical obligations and avoiding mishaps.

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