Getting to Know LLTC: Rob Beharriell

Where did you grow up? How did you come to be here?

I was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada (near Northern Michigan).  I lived there until I was fourteen at which point my family moved to London, Ontario.  I spent my initial post-secondary years stumbling around aimlessly not knowing exactly what I wanted to do.  I had always thought about law as a career and began investigating it as a possibility.

I earned my B.A. in English Language and Literature at King’s College University at the University of Western Ontario (what a mouthful…we always just called it King’s for short).  I graduated my undergraduate program in 2006.  I
applied to law schools all over the place in Canada, the U.S., and Australia.  I had visited the NSU campus in 2007 on
spring break and was impressed with the law school here.  As fond of kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and other Outback “critters” as I am, I decided it would be best to stay closer to home.  My three years here at Nova flew by (seems like just yesterday I was shaking like a leaf in my first doctrinal class – Professor Richmond’s 1^st year Torts class – praying to the
deities not to be called upon).

Where did you work prior to LLTC?

Before starting here I had worked as Professor Eric Young’s research assistant during the winter 2011 semester.
I worked on several interesting research assignments for him during the semester.  Prior to that I had worked in
a restaurant during most of my undergraduate studies, and also at a bank as a customer service representative.

When did you begin working for the LLTC?

I began working for the LLTC on September 26, 2011.

What do you do at LLTC?

I am a reference librarian on some days and on others I assist Mr. Heath Davis, Circulation Manager with some circulation projects.  I also work on special projects for the other librarians like helping to put together library guides for seminar courses.  Last but not least, I do whatever Jessica Nelson tells me to do because she is awesome!

What do you like best about your job? 

The people here at the library are an incredible group of individuals.  There is so much talent and diversity among the staff which makes this a very enjoyable place to work.

Furthermore, the dynamic nature of the job is such that every day here is different.  I am always learning about
new resources and innovative ways to help students, faculty, and patrons with their legal research issues.

Most importantly, I like that everyone here has a good sense of humor.

What are your proudest accomplishments on the job?

I just started, so I have not really had a chance to complete anything substantial just yet.  I brought in
treats to work one day for the staff and people went crazy for them.  I’ll pick that as my proudest moment so far.  And completing this blog too!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Riverdancing!  Just kidding, I enjoy reading, watching TV and movies, and listening to music.  I would eventually like to go skydiving but have had a difficult time finding anyone crazy enough to join me.

Favorite food?

I am a huge foodie!  I love cooking and dining out at nice restaurants. Nothing beats a good steak.  Wrap it in bacon and it’s even better!  If any of you have not been to Texas de Brazil, you need to stop what you are doing right now and go to your nearest one. They come around to your table with swords full of delicious meat and they keep bringing you more and more meat until you start to get the “meat sweats” and pass out (or until you are full, whichever comes first).  It is my favorite restaurant!

Also, I am Paula Deen’s number one fan.

Her cooking is insane!  I don’t eat any of it myself because I do not wish to die of a stroke or heart disease
before I turn forty.  How she is alive herself given her steady diet of butter is enough to baffle the brightest of
minds.  Rather, I enjoy watching her program because it is one of the most ridiculous and hilarious shows on TV.  I have never seen a person use so much butter in their cooking as she does.  I respect the fact that she acknowledges the fact that her cooking is unhealthy though and not meant for daily consumption.

I once saw her make hamburgers which she topped with fried eggs and then placed on top of a sliced Krispy Kreme donut instead of a bun.  I believe the episode was titled something like “Paula’s light lunch” or something equally as crazy.  Another time I saw her make mac & cheese in a casserole dish with tons of cheese, butter, and bacon; cut it into
squares; dredge and bread the squares and then deep fry the individual squares.  Clearly, this woman is a
genius, and way ahead of her time!  If you like Paula and have an appreciation for the absurd, you might want to
visit:  www.pauladeenridingthings.com.  It has brought me hours of laughter over the
years and it is a great place to go if you need some cheering up.

Favorite book?

If I had to pick just one, I would say Don Quixote, by Miguel de
Cervantes.  It has tragedy, comedy,
romance…really just the whole nine yards.
If you like reading about people who are ridiculous verging on brilliant,
then this is the right book for you.  A
quote from the novel:

“Destiny guides our fortunes more
favorably than we could have expected. Look there, Sancho Panza, my friend, and
see those thirty or so wild giants, with whom I intend to do battle and kill
each and all of them, so with their stolen booty we can begin to enrich
ourselves. This is nobel, righteous warfare, for it is wonderfully useful to
God to have such an evil race wiped from the face of the earth.”

“What giants?” Asked Sancho Panza.

“The ones you can see over there,” answered his master, “with
the huge arms, some of which are very nearly two leagues long.”

“Now look, your grace,” said Sancho, “what you see over there
aren’t giants, but windmills, and what seems to be arms are just their sails,
that go around in the wind and turn the millstone.”

“Obviously,” replied Don Quijote, “you don’t know much about
adventures.”

― Miguel
de Cervantes Saavedra, Don
Quixote

Is there any particular
advice you would like to share with students?

Take
advantage of the wealth of resources available to you at the LLTC.  Whether you are a first year who needs help
with an LSV assignment, or an upper year student who needs help with seminar
research, there are many very talented librarians who can help you in the
library.  Also, I am still trying to
figure out what the Rule Against Perpetuities is all about.  If you are worried about it for the bar or for
your final exam, don’t be!