LLTC Trivia Game update

Thank you for making the 2011-2012 edition of the LLTC’s Trivia Game a great success. We had approximately 50 participants and awarded over $400 in cash and prizes.

Congratulations to Darla Grondin, the overall point leader for the 2011-2012 academic school year. She earned over 700 total points and will be awarded a $100 Visa Gift Card as a result of her efforts. Congratulations to Christina Lehm, who finished a close second, and is also the winner of the final trivia period, a feat for which she will receive a $25 Visa Gift Card. Finally, congratulations to Mike Leonard, who was this semester’s overall point leader, a feat for which he will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.

This year’s five trivia topics were as follows:

1)      Name that Movie

2)      Name that Professor

3)      Name that Library/Legal Resource

4)      Name that Case

5)      Name that Pop Culture (Person/Place/Thing)

Each week (Mon-Fri) 5 clues are released daily, once every 24 hours regarding a particular movie, professor, resource, case or pop culture.

Sample Trivia Series:

Name that Case: Dad is a nonbeliever. #trivia

Name that Case: Dad wanted to force schools to quit long-time practice. #trivia

Name that Case: Mom does not mind the recitation of certain words. #trivia

Name that Case: Dad loses 8-0 in the SCOTUS. #trivia

Name that Case: “[U]nder God” stays; sorry pops. #trivia

Answer: Newdow v. United States Congress, Elk Grove Unified School District, et al., 542 U.S. 1 (2004) (or one of its other procedural incarnations).

Please remember to check the LLTC’s Twitter and Facebook accounts every Monday (during the academic school year) at 8:00 P.M. for the initial clue regarding that week’s trivia series. Clues are posted weekdays and correct responses are worth up to 50 points if submitted to owensw@nsu.law.nova.edu on the day of release; points awarded for correct submissions will decrease by 10 points daily e.g. Monday (from 8:00 P.M. until Tuesday at 7:59:59 P.M.) =50 points, Tuesday (from 8:00 P.M. until Wednesday at 7:59:59 PM)=40 points, etc… No points will be awarded for incorrect responses or for responses submitted after 7:59:59 P.M. on the Saturday following the release of that week’s final clue. All responses MUST be submitted to owensw@nsu.law.nova.edu.

Please DO NOT post your responses to the LLTC’s Twitter or Facebook accounts.

Each period (approximately 5 weeks), a $25 prize (gift certificate) will be awarded to the point leader.  Each semester, a $50 prize (gift certificate) will be awarded to the point leader.  At the end of the school year, the overall point leader will receive a $100 prize (gift certificate).  At all stages of play, tied players will be entered into a drawing to determine the final disposition of the prize.

Once again, thank you for your participation and please be sure to join us for the next installment of the LLTC’s Trivia Game!

Have a great summer!

Changing the definition of Autism: Legal and other implications

At a cursory glance, recently proposed changes to the definition of Autism appear to be based solely on medical concerns. Supporters claim that a new definition is necessary to deal with perpetually rising diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Ultimately, they argue that the new definition will lead to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. Experts contend that redefining Autism will allow clinicians to categorize patients in a manner most conducive to prescribing effective treatments; arguably, individuals diagnosed with Autistic Disorder should receive different treatment methods than those diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, who are considered higher functioning. The current definition lumps too many substantially different, yet related disorders, into the same category and often results in inaccurate diagnoses or ineffective treatments. Proponents of the definitional change to Autism argue that it is due to inaccurate diagnostic criteria that diagnoses of ASD and related disorders are on the rise and costs associated with ineffective or inappropriate treatments are spiraling out of control.

However, while the initiative to change the definition of Autism is based on solid scientific evidence and research, it also has profound legal implications and ramifications. Far be it from me to claim that the American Psychiatric Association is in bed with insurance companies, but insurance companies may ultimately be the big winners here. Legislation requiring health insurers to cover ASD and related disorders has only been enacted in the last few years; currently, 34 states have passed laws related to insurance coverage and Autism. As one might imagine, insurance companies and their supporters fought (and are still fighting) tooth and nail against mandatory Autism coverage and are often of the opinion that parents and school districts should bear the financial responsibility for individuals with Autism. Most laws requiring mandatory insurance coverage for Autism were passed over the last four years. Keeping in mind, the relatively recent nature of laws mandating that health insurers cover ASD, how will the “slow to change” legal apparatus deal with definitional changes to Autism and related disorders?

Will the new definition result in the disqualification of individuals, previously diagnosed with ASD, but who no longer meet the criteria necessary to receive coverage even though their behaviors persist? Will legislators modify laws quickly enough to assist individuals who no longer meet the criteria for an Autism diagnosis, but who nonetheless need access to insurance benefits? Insurers will no doubt exclude individuals, who clearly require assistance, yet to whom there exists no legal obligation. One can only hope that legislators are paying attention and that they will take the steps necessary to ensure that the law keeps pace with medically based definitional changes.

Click here to review state laws regarding health insurance coverage and Autism.

It is interesting that such definitional distinctions are typically only possible regarding neurological (yet mental) or novel disorders. Take for instance Friedreich’s Ataxia, an autosomal recessive neurological (yet physical) disorder whose pathology or cause is known. Let’s imagine two individuals who exhibit similar behaviors (although not identical), yet differ drastically in symptomatic severity. Both have slurred speech, muscle spasms, and gait disturbance, but only one is confined to a wheel chair, cannot be understood by anyone outside the immediate family, and is unable to feed or bathe herself; one might imagine that these two individuals have altogether different disorders. Unlike ASD (whose cause is unknown), however, Friedreich’s Ataxia is known to be caused by a mutation in gene FXN (formerly known as X25); so anyone found to have the genetic mutation at X25 has Friedreich’s Ataxia regardless of any differences in the severity of the symptoms among those diagnosed with the disorder. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Autism and related disorders were one day shown to result from the same genetic mutation(s) and or cause(s), and the numerous observed behaviors are merely a matter of severity (which may result in alternative treatments)?

ASD diagnoses and treatment costs are rising. Something must be done to contend with these issues. One hopes that cost is not the primary motivation behind the definitional change. If the new definition will provide clarity and lead to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments, then so be it.

The following is an excerpt from a New York Times article titled, “New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests.”

“In the new analysis, Dr. Volkmar, along with Brian Reichow and James McPartland, both at Yale, used data from a large 1993 study that served as the basis for the current criteria. They focused on 372 children and adults who were among the highest functioning and found that overall, only 45 percent of them would qualify for the proposed autism spectrum diagnosis now under review.

The focus on a high-functioning group may have slightly exaggerated that percentage, the authors acknowledge. The likelihood of being left out under the new definition depended on the original diagnosis: about a quarter of those identified with classic autism in 1993 would not be so identified under the proposed criteria; about three-quarters of those with Asperger syndrome would not qualify; and 85 percent of those with P.D.D.-N.O.S. would not.”

Current Diagnostic Criteria for Autistic Disorder

A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3)

(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

(a) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)
(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity

(2) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
(b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
(c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level

(3) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(d) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play

C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Must meet criteria A, B, C, and D:

A.    Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays, and manifest by all 3 of the following:

1.     Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging from abnormal social approach and failure of normal back and forth conversation through reduced sharing of interests, emotions, and affect and response to total lack of initiation of social interaction,

2.     Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction; ranging from poorly integrated- verbal and nonverbal communication, through abnormalities in eye contact and body-language, or deficits in understanding and use of nonverbal communication, to total lack of facial expression or gestures.

3.     Deficits in developing and maintaining relationships, appropriate to developmental level (beyond those with caregivers); ranging from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts through difficulties in sharing imaginative play and  in making friends  to an apparent absence of interest in people

B.    Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as manifested by at least two of the following:

1.     Stereotyped or repetitive speech, motor movements, or use of objects; (such as simple motor stereotypies, echolalia, repetitive use of objects, or idiosyncratic phrases).

2.     Excessive adherence to routines, ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior, or excessive resistance to change; (such as motoric rituals, insistence on same route or food, repetitive questioning or extreme distress at small changes).

3.     Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus; (such as strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests).

4.     Hyper-or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment; (such as apparent indifference to pain/heat/cold, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, fascination with lights or spinning objects).

C.    Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)

D.         Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.

Family Experience

Disclaimer: The following blog post consists of a personal account of my family’s recent experience welcoming my son, Connor, into the larger post-womb world. The post references nothing untoward, but I am quite certain that most readers will find it a tedious, boring exposition. I vow to discuss a legally relevant (hopefully exciting) topic next time.

My family and I welcomed my son, Connor Bradley Owens (7lbs 12 oz., 20 and ¼ inches) on December 16, 2011. We elected to induce labor due to concerns regarding Cephalopelvic Disproportion (we consulted several doctors regarding this issue, including a friend of mine who practices family medicine in Boise, Idaho). However, we probably would have elected to induce labor even in the absence of concerns regarding CPD due to concerns regarding our daughter’s ability to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings.

My 2 year old daughter, Alani, has been evaluated by a team of psychologists at Mailman Segal Institute, and while we do not have an official diagnosis yet, we are relatively certain that she has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the fact that we have no family residing in the vicinity, we were concerned about Alani’s care during the delivery. I, of course, wanted to be in attendance during my wife’s (Davina) labor and Connor’s birth event. Unfortunately, at that time, Alani had never been alone with anyone other than Davina or me. Furthermore, she typically demonstrated apprehension and even anxiety around strangers. In fact, we have had certified behavior analysts visiting our home for a few months now, and (although she has made wonderful progress) it is obvious that she still experiences anxiety around them; she typically runs the other direction and cries (sometimes, “bloody murder”) when they enter our home. As you can imagine, we did not want just anyone caring for Alani during the birth event.

Fortunately, we contacted Davina’s mother and my parents to schedule a time to induce labor that would be convenient for everyone. Her mother flew in from New York, New York, the morning of the 15^th and my parents drove in from Sarasota, Florida the evening of the same day. Unfortunately, although Alani has met and interacted with our parents on a few occasions, her exposure to them has been limited due to multiple logistical issues. So, even though we were able to secure our most trusted relatives for our daughter’s care, Davina and I were still pretty nervous about how Alani would react to our combined absences as well as to grandparents with whom she has had little contact. We imagined that she might react so negatively to our absence or to her grandparents that I might have to miss Connor’s birth to care for her; I was both prepared and wholly devoted to that eventuality. In our estimation, Alani’s emotional wellbeing outweighed my interest in experiencing the birth event including my son’s initial entrance into the world; after all, Alani and I would have been permitted entry sometime shortly following Connor’s birth. So, even recruiting our parents to watch Alani during labor and the subsequent birth event did not offer any substantial hope that I would be able to attend Davina during labor and delivery. In fact, based on Alani’s intensely negative reactions to her behavior analysts, we were prepared for a very unhappy Alani who would probably require her father’s calming presence.

Miraculously (in the very “improbable,” rather than in a religious or contrary to physical laws sense), Alani, not only fared well, but seemed quite content while in her grandparents’ care. Fortuitously, we were quartered in the room situated closest to the delivery area entrance, while our parents and Alani lounged in the waiting room, which was the first room to the right upon exiting the delivery area. So, even though, I had to be buzzed in and out of the delivery area on each occasion, I was able to travel back and forth between the delivery and the waiting rooms up until I was sure that Alani would not have a negative reaction to her parents’ absence or to her grandparents; she actually fell asleep about an hour before Connor’s birth, which permitted (at Davina’s request) the grandmothers to be present during the delivery.  My father kept both eyes on Alani as she slept soundly; Alani is typically a late riser, but she had been up since around 6:00 A.M. that morning as we prepared to leave for the hospital.

Other than two issues I shall discuss following this paragraph, our labor, delivery and recovery experience at the unnamed facility went rather well; Connor entered the world healthy (he scored a 9.9 on the Apgar) and without incident and Alani never appeared to become distressed. We were also very happy that we were able to share the experience with our parents. Davina’s mother was actually able to stay for the next two weeks; we were amazed at how close she and Alani got during that period. Alani went to her grandmother for assistance and comfort quite often during those two weeks, which is something she had never done previously with anyone but her parents.

Issues:

1.

We arrived at our assigned room just prior to 7:30 A.M. accompanied by Alani and her maternal grandmother. Just moments after entering the room, a nurse informed us in a rather authoritative manner that Alani could not be present in the room (a fact of which we already quite well aware, but we had just arrived). I asked the nurse when Alani had to leave and she responded by stating NOW in a manner whose tone brooked no argument. Now, we knew that Alani could not be present  during labor or delivery, but we had just arrived and a “good morning,” “how are you,” or some other pleasantry might have been more conducive to providing a good start to what should be a beautiful experience for an expectant family.

Davina, who was already somewhat anxious, was quite put off by the nurse’s attitude. I informed the nurse and her second, rather politely (in my view), that while she may have participated in more birth events than she cares to recount, most of those under her care have not, and as such still hold the experience to be somewhat magical and special. We had just arrived and I would have escorted my mother-in-law and Alani to the waiting room once Davina was properly situated. The nurse’s insensitive attitude had a negative effect on my psychological state; I can only imagine how my uncomfortable, 39 weeks pregnant, wife felt. Thankfully, the nurse was quite pleasant following our discussion.

2.

The anesthesiologist on duty at that time was able to perform an epidural, but was unfamiliar with a new delivery device. As such, while Davina received an initial dosage, which sufficiently numbed the lower half of her body, the device was not set to provide a continuous flow.  Consequently, the medication wore off about an hour prior to delivery at which point Davina began to experience extremely intense, frequent contractions whose severity was as visible in her facial expressions as they were on the monitor. As ill fortune would have it, the anesthesiologist actually left for the day (I suppose after completing her shift) without returning to check Davina’s condition. Only after informing the nursing staff of the situation was another anesthesiologist dispatched; it took approximately 30 minutes for him to arrive. He noted that the device was not set properly and began to administer medication manually; he continued to administer the medication manually for at least 20 minutes until he was certain that it had taken effect. He apologized profusely and congratulated us in advance regarding our son’s impending arrival.

Generally, the epidural does not (and is not intended to) completely eradicate pain or feeling, but in our case, after multiple manual injections, Davina felt absolutely nothing below her xiphoid process. My understanding is that it is best if the pregnant woman has at least some feeling so that she is able to time her pushes with the onset of each contraction. Davina did not offer any complaints in this regard.

Final Thoughts:

Regardless of the above mentioned issues, we had a beautiful experience. I was able to be an active participant during Connor’s birth (I cut the cord), my daughter fared well and our parents were included as well; it was quite a wondrous experience.

I would like to extend my incalculable gratitude to my coworkers at the LLTC who took the time to offer their sentiments via a beautiful card as well as to bless us with a considerable monetary gift. Thank you. You are all wonderful human beings!

“Pardoning the Turkey”

Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board (yes there is a “National Turkey Federation and a Poultry and Egg National Board) have given a turkey to the President of the United States for use in the White House’s “National Thanksgiving Turkey Celebration.” Since 1947, an unsuspecting turkey has found its way into the White House oven on Thanksgiving Day more often than not. However, since 1989, during then President George H.W. Bush’s first year in office, presidents have “officially” pardoned the chosen turkey and its understudy (an understudy is chosen just in case, for whatever reason, the star is not able to perform its culinary duties; after all, the show must go on). After receiving their pardons (possibly for the crime of engaging in incessant gobbling), the turkeys must then suffer through a symbolic turkey “roast” consisting of every humorous (and not so humorous) poultry joke imaginable. Finally, the turkeys are then relocated to their new homes at “exotic” turkey ranches, where they are able to live out their days without fear of being stuffed, roasted or consumed.

Although, it is unclear exactly how this tradition got started, it appears that President George H.W. Bush granted the first “official pardon” of a Thanksgiving turkey during the first year of his presidency (I am not sure if an executive order was actually issued). While one story suggests that President Harry Truman pardoned a turkey in 1947, the Truman library has not been able substantiate that claim. After receiving a turkey in 1963, President Kennedy unofficially pardoned it when he said, “[l]et’s just keep him.” There is still another story which contends that the tradition goes all the way back to Abraham Lincoln, who allegedly pardoned his son Tad’s pet turkey (like the Truman story, the Lincoln story remains unsubstantiated).

Provided below are the statistics regarding presidential pardons since 1945 per the “Office of the Pardon Attorney” (I am not sure if the turkeys are included in the official statistics.):

• Harry S. Truman – 1913
• Dwight Eisenhower – 1110
• John Kennedy – 472
• Lyndon Johnson – 960
• Richard Nixon – 863
• Gerald Ford – 382
• Jimmy Carter – 534
• Ronald Reagan – 393
• George H.W. Bush – 74
• Bill Clinton – 396
• George W. Bush – 189

Thus far, President Barack Obama has pardoned 9 people and 4 turkeys (unless the First Family develops an especially irresistible craving this year, 2 more turkeys should be added to that number this Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2011.

Does the turkey receive a “pardon” in your household during the holiday season? Generally, “it’s curtains” for the turkey in my household, but this year a member of that species will be spared since we have elected to serve ham instead.

Getting to know LLTC: William Owens

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

I was born and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, a “city” which is primarily known as the “home to Camp Lejeune.” Both my grandfathers were career military men (marines as indicated by the “camp” designation) and ultimately settled in the area surrounding their final duty station. My childhood and young adult life were primarily defined by my relationship with my sister, who had a rare genetic disorder called Friedreich’s ataxia. It is a progressive, degenerative autosomal recessive disorder that primarily affects motor functions regulated by the cerebellum; fortunately, while physically disabled, she was quite intelligent and we would spend seemingly countless hours reading (which was her favorite pastime) and discussing topics of interest.

I was not particularly fond of grade/secondary school and generally avoided doing homework or any other educational responsibilities. I had to have minor surgery in high school because I developed a condition called “testicular tortion” as the result of an injury sustained during a martial arts class (just ask if you would like more details). I felt frustrated and hopeless after missing about three months of classes, so (to my mother’s utter chagrin) I decided to drop out of high school. By this point, however, I had developed an interest in education and decided to earn a college degree.  So, after I recovered from surgery, I proceed to Coastal Carolina Community College (CCCC) (at the time, Jacksonville’s only institution of higher education), completed the 6 required study hours and took/passed the GED exam. Then, after taking and passing CCCC’s placement test, I enrolled in college courses in May, 1994, ironically about one month prior to what should have been my high school graduation ceremony.

I was forced to withdraw several times due to my sister’s deteriorating health, and was not able complete my BA until a little over 8 years later in December, 2002. Originally, I was a biology/pre-med major, but I quickly lost interest in that path after my sister passed away on November 23, 1998. I transferred to the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 2000 and changed my major to philosophy/pre-law after taking an incredible Introduction to Philosophy course. I decided to apply to law school after taking a moral philosophy course (What makes right/wrong actions right/wrong?) and a philosophy of law course (which primarily focused on arguments from Judith Jarvis Thomson’s “Defense of Abortion”). Since most of my family relocated to Florida in the early 2000s I decided to attend a Florida law school (a partial scholarship factored into that decision as well).

During law school I read a colleague’s paper regarding alternative professions for the Juris Doctor; the section describing law librarianship blew me away. I had always been more of a research nerd and preferred the research and philosophical aspects of the law to its actual practice (however, I have recently been contemplating sitting for and passing the Florida bar exam and taking on a few cases here and there). So, I earned a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science in December of 2010 and here I am working in my first position as a law librarian at NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center Law Library and Technology Center (that’s a mouthful). I am happy to be here and shall endeavor to have a positive impact on everyone with whom I come into physical, electronic or audio contact.

Where did you work prior to LLTC?

Just prior to the LLTC, I worked for the University of South Florida’s Center for the Study of International Languages and Cultures (CSILC), whose mission is to promote global understanding through the integrated and interdisciplinary study of languages and cultures.  At CSILC, I held the title, “Translation Research Specialist,” a position which is responsible for ensuring that target language source materials are accurately translated into English. I cooperated with an English proficient target language expert and researched individual words and phrases as well as understood various cultural issues in order to create the most accurate translation of the source material as possible. A few of my previous jobs include: assistant manager at Walgreen Co., U.S Army Reserves and Martial Arts Instructor.

When did you begin working for the LLTC?

I began working at the LLTC on May 16, 2011 as a part time reference librarian, and was officially promoted to a full time position titled, Evening and Reference Services Librarian, on July 9, 2011.

What do you do at LLTC?

As the Evening and Weekend Services Librarian (although I assist all library patrons) I act primarily as the contact/liaison for evening students, associate professors and adjunct professors (who generally teach during the evening hours). I help students, attorneys and pro se patrons to locate materials that might elucidate their legal queries. I also teach basic legal research instruction modules to LSV students to supplement professorial instruction.

What do you like best about your job?

I love just about every aspect of being a law librarian: reference interviews, print research, database/online searching, instructing patrons in the use of the vast array of legal resources etc… ad infinitum. Most especially, I love the fact that I am always learning something new; I am not limited to researching one category or topic. I also love the fact that I assist a very diverse group of patrons: professors, students, attorneys and pro se patrons. Just about everyone will have a legal research question at some point in their lives; I hope to be there to assist in their quest to discover the answer.

What are your proudest accomplishments on the job?

So far, my proudest moments have been those in which I have successfully taught patrons how to utilize legal resources. Many first year students and pro se patrons know very little about the law and even less about the legal resources necessary to perform quality legal research; if I can impart some small measure of useful research knowledge unto them, then I will consider myself to have served them well.

 What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Among other things, I enjoy reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with my family. I have been trying to run 2 to 3 miles every other day since I moved to Fort Lauderdale, but something always seems to happen that precludes me from achieving that goal; I do run, just not as consistently as I would like to. I was making good use of NSU’s recplex for the first few weeks after I joined back in May, but I have been slacking off there as well. I also enjoy kickboxing and basketball. Next to engaging in family activities, reading moral or metaphysical philosophy is probably my favorite thing to do.

Favorite food?

Although I have my favorite set of parents (my own) and my favorite wife (my current and only one at this time), I am not really a “favorites” kind of person; there are way too many wonderful dishes out there for me to say that any particular one of them is my favorite. I am more of a top ten kind of guy. Let’s see I love my grandmother’s 150-200 year old recipe for Macaroni and Gravy (thick, red sauce with pork loin, Italian sausages, ¼ inch thick slices of pepperoni etc…). I am also particularly fond of Puerto Rican red beans and rice. My wife’s family hails from the island country of St. Lucia, which is located in the Caribbean, so I am also quite fond of stew peas, bakes, curry goat, roti, and numerous other dishes (this section of the blog is making me really hungry). Hmm here are a few more dishes I could go crazy for right now: a slice of New York style thin crust pizza from Circle Pizza in the Bronx, an order of shrimp fried rice or an egg roll from Amy’s Chinese Restaurant in Jacksonville, NC circa 1989, a Philly cheese steak sandwich (on amorosa bread) with or without onions from Philly Flava in Tampa, Florida, a chipotle cheeseburger from Cruisers in Ponte Vedra, Florida, an oxtail roti from Golden Crust in the Bronx. Okay, okay, I could go on and on with food, but I’ll do you a favor and stop here. Oh yeah, I would appreciate it if you would email me a list of your favorite Fort Lauderdale area restaurants.

Favorite book?

If you read the last paragraph, then you probably correctly anticipated, at least in part, how I would respond to this question. That’s right. There are way too many great books for me to ascribe the word “favorite” to any particular one of them. However, as with food, I could probably construct a few top ten lists. Here are a few of my personal favorites.

The Critique of Pure Reason

A Brief History of Time

An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding

The God Delusion

The Iliad

Lord Foul’s Bane

Maus: a Survivor’s Tale

Meditations on First Philosophy: in which the existence of God and the immortality of the soul are demonstrated

A People’s History of the United States

Principia Ethica

Relativity: the Special and the General Theory

A Theory of Justice

Utilitarianism

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

Yes. Learn as much about conducting efficient print/online legal research as you possibly can. Once you leave law school you will no longer have unlimited access to either Westlaw or Lexis Nexis. Utilizing research tools can become very expensive even if you have developed an advanced set of legal research skills. The more time you dedicate to building upon and mastering the skills you learn in LSV, the less time, money and effort you will waste as an associate muddling through the legal research process at which you should have become competent in law school. Also, we librarians are here to help you to become effective legal researchers so that you will not only be successful law students but successful legal professionals as well; I suggest you take advantage of our expertise while we are available to you. Good luck!!!