BLS Library Blog

Brooklyn Law School Professor of Law Emeritus Norman Poser is a widely-respected expert in both international and domestic securities regulation and the author of Broker-Dealer Law and Regulation, International Securities Regulation: London’s “Big Bang,” and the European Securities Markets. Before joining Brooklyn Law School’s faculty in 1980, he worked for the American Stock Exchange as Executive Vice President for Legal and Regulatory Affairs and Senior Vice President of Policy Planning and Government Relations. Professor Poser also served as Assistant Director of the Division of Trading and Markets of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. He has worked as a consultant and expert witness on a wide variety of matters, including engagements in connection with securities litigations and arbitrations for the New York State Attorney General, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, the United States Agency for International Development, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and several prominent securities exchanges.

Prof. Poser recently published Lord Mansfield: Justice in the Age of Reason available in the BLS Library’s International Collection (Call # KD621.M3 P68 2013). The book is the first modern biography of Lord Mansfield (1705–1793). In it Prof. Poser details the life and times of the great 18th-century judge and statesman, whose legacy continues to have a unique influence on Anglo-American law and society. The son of a minor Scottish nobleman who skirted charges of treason, Mansfield rose through English society to become a member of its ruling aristocracy, confidential advisor to two kings, and friend to statesmen, poets, artists, actors, bishops, soldiers, and members of the nobility. His extraordinary political career – both before and during his unprecedented 32-year tenure as Chief Justice of England – offers a portrait of a fascinating era.

On Wednesday, November 7, 2013 at 6pm in the Subotnick Center at 250 Joralemon Street, there will be a Book Launch followed by a Reception. Those wanting to attend this event are urged to RSVP online at www.brooklaw.edu/mansfield before Tuesday, November 5. There is no charge for this event. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal published a review of Prof. Poser’s book. The review can be found at this link.

For when New York City has more rain than shine…umbrellas are back and available to borrow in the library! We have been fortunate enough to receive replacements for the original Bloomberg umbrellas, courtesy of LexisNexis. There are currently 6 umbrellas that can be checked out from the library’s Circulation Desk for 24 hours. So the next time you see rain pouring down as you leave class for the day, stop by and borrow one – you can bring it back the next day.

In addition to umbrellas, remember that we have lots of useful things available to borrow besides books – USB drives, laptop locks, headphones, and dry erase markers. If you have suggestions for other items you might be interested in having available for loan in the library, please let us know.

Brooklyn Law School Dean Nicholas Allard recently sat down with Bloomberg Law’s Lee Pacchia for an interview. In the 13 minute interview, Dean Allard said that law schools need to find ways to cut the expense of merit scholarships, which they “use to buy students . . . with high LSATs” to improve the schools’ US News rankings. The money would be better spent on scholarships for students with financial need, he says. See the  video of the interview below:

Listen to this episode on BrooklynWorks.

This podcast features a conversation with Brooklyn Law School Professor of Law Nelson Tebbe who teaches courses on constitutional law and religious freedom and other subjects. Professor Tebbe and University of Virginia Law Professor Micah Schwartzman posted on SCOTUSblog an entry entitled Symposium: The puzzle of Town of Greece v. Galloway.  It concerned the U.S. Supreme Court’s acceptance of a petition to hear its first legislative prayer case in 30 years involving the town of Greece, New York which has been holding Christian prayers, typically conducted by local ministers, at town meetings since 1999. In a unanimous decision, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals decided that the prayer practice was unconstitutional. The case is the first legislative prayer case the Supreme Court’s decision in Marsh v. Chambers in 1983, which upheld the constitutionality of government funding for chaplains.

In the conversation, Professor Tebbe also discusses the upcoming symposium, Religious Freedom and Equal Treatment: An International Look, scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2013 (9:00 am – 4:30 pm) and Saturday, October 12, 2013 (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) at Brooklyn Law School’s Subotnick Center, 250 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn, New York. The conference will focus on how legal systems address threats to religious freedom, as well as the use of religious liberty claims to limit equal treatment. Distinguished global experts from the academic and advocacy communities will discuss legal and advocacy challenges in different parts of the globe; offer new theoretical and doctrinal approaches to the potential conflict between these most fundamental individual rights; broaden the academic debate and develop new advocacy strategies; and build lasting cross-border networks among academics and advocates. The conference is open to everyone. Those interested in attending can RSVP here.

to register for the Library’s upcoming Lunch and Learn programs.

There is still room for the following sessions –

October 16:   Statutory Research

October 23:   Apps for Legal Research: Westlaw, Lexis, HeinOnline, Fastcase

October 30:   Using Law Reviews for Research

Unfortunately, the October 9 Case Law Research session is sold out.

Please join us for the remaining sessions.  Lunch will be provided.

See you then.