AALL Leader Profile: Susan Nevelow Mart

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CoALL member Susan Nevelow Mart was recently profiled in the AALL Education Update [See January 2021 Update].

Susan Nevelow Mart
Professor and Director of the Law Library
University of Colorado Law School
William A. Wise Law Library

What does leadership mean to you?
It means a having a vision for the law library. There is internal and external leadership. The external vision for me is being part of the scholarly discussion about issues important to our profession. Internally, it means enabling others to succeed in their areas of expertise. I think everyone who is a professional librarian has things that they are passionate about. We’re not a profession without scholarship, but not everyone wants or needs to contribute as a scholar. But everyone can contribute in some way by being on committees, by being on taskforces, by getting involved in AALL, and by presenting on topics. All of these things are elements of outreach for our profession that are important.

As example of leadership, I started the “Boulder Conference on Legal information: Scholarship and Teaching,” because there was no place for librarians to meet with people who had the scholarly background to help them. Librarians are generally very curious and broadly-educated people. Encouraging that curiosity is really a wonderful thing.

How do you help others develop their leadership skills?
I try to be a mentor in my own library. That can be hard to implement in the flat hierarchal structure that exists in so many libraries. So to me, being involved in professional development opportunities is really important to develop leadership–that means working on committees. There are law school committees and university-level committees. There is AALL. If you are curious and involved, you will become a chair of a committee, and you will get training in leadership skills. I have also mentored through AALL, offering encouragement in the same way.

What is one thing you’ve read about leadership that stuck with you? Why? Is there a particular AALL product/program/article that was especially helpful for you as you developed as a leader?
There was not one thing. What I did when I became a librarian was to delve into library literature. I started reading about teaching and about working in libraries. I read everything that I could get my hands on. For me, reading the existing literature was about getting up to speed on where my profession was when I entered it. Also critical for me was attending AALL and going to lots of programs about how libraries work. It was about learning about management and leadership, including the political aspects of being the librarian. It’s kind of like being a lawyer–you enter the profession at a certain point in history, and you need to figure out what that history is so you can figure out how to shape it and move forward.

What is the best advice regarding leadership or being successful in your work that you’ve ever received?
Be kind! I don’t think I started by being very kind. I had been a trial lawyer. There was a transition for me, which many people helped me with–from being adversarial to being thoughtful in my scholarship and kinder in my interactions with people.

Job Posting: Law Librarian/Research Analyst – Robert Reich, Denver, CO

Rebecca Ciota Leave a comment

Job posting details:

URL: https://apply.workable.com/r2d2/j/FC4E187F20/


Description:We are an early-stage software company with a focus on Governance, Risk, and Compliance and we are looking for a freelance tech-savvy law professional to help with a research project.

Requirements:

  • Thorough understanding of legislative documents: Bills, Statutes, Codes, and Registers
  • Thorough understanding of Bluebook citations for the US and other international standards
  • 3 + years of Law Liberian experience
  • 2+ years of legal research
  • Knowledge of the legal XSD Akoma Ntoso is a big plus (http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0)
  • Passion for reading and finding patterns in Bills, Statutes, Codes, and Registers
  • Provide in-depth as well as a quick reference to our engineering teams about legislative documents
  • Participate in stand-ups and vendor calls
  • Software development exposure of any kind is a plus

Job Posting: University of Colorado Law Library Technology & Web Services Librarian

Anne Leave a comment

The University of Colorado Law Library seeks an innovative, enthusiastic, and service-driven individual to fill the position of Technology and Web Services Librarian to help us in shaping services and collections for 21st century learners, educators, and scholars. The Technology and Web Services Librarian will assist in the development and maintenance of tools, systems, and applications that enhance researchers’ ability to pursue new and innovative avenues for learning and study, using the Library’s resources and expertise. More information, the complete position description and application instructions are available on the CU Job site. Preference will be given to those that apply by May 29.

Job Posting: Research Librarian

Heather Hershey Leave a comment

With over 1,400 lawyers in 31 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP is a fully integrated global law firm that provides clients with connected legal advice, wherever and whenever they need it. The firm is known for its relationship-driven, collaborative culture, diverse legal experience and industry-shaping innovation and offers clients one of the most active M&A, real estate, financial services, litigation and corporate risk practices in the world.

Position Overview
We are looking for a Research Librarian based in Washington, DC, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City or Denver, who shares a passion for research, innovation and excellent customer service who can provide a wide variety of research and related services to lawyers and staff locally and globally as needed. This position participates in the training of lawyers and paralegals on the use of research resources, including new technologies and/or upgraded versions of existing services. The Research Librarian is also part of a global research team and participates in firmwide calls and projects with a dedicated and supportive Library and Research Services team. Some travel to support other offices may be required.

Responsibilities
• Provide in-depth as well as quick reference legal and business research support to lawyers, staff and clients locally and globally through an appropriate combination of traditional resources and emerging technologies
• Monitor and respond to a wide variety of research requests utilizing a reference request database and coordinate this effort with other global research team members.
• Participate in planning and implementation of training programs for lawyers and staff to promote the effective use of library resources as needed.
• Participate in Firmwide teleconferences and project with global library and research services team as scheduled.
• Participate as a team member on select projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Participate in pilots of prospective research resources and provide meaningful feedback.
• May require travel to unstaffed offices in NY and DC to support research needs, promote library and research services functions and build relationships in that office.
• Stay current on research technologies by keeping up with professional literature.
• Utilize interlibrary loan and document retrieval services as needed.
• Take responsibility for various administrative tasks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Specifications/Qualifications
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability and commitment to interact effectively and professionally with a diverse clientele.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize and complete projects rapidly and efficiently, yet thoroughly.
• Demonstrated expertise in legal and corporate research techniques using both print and electronic resources.
• Proven proficiency in research databases, including but not limited to Lexis Advance, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, Cheetah and a variety of specialty research resources.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation and proactive creative approach to marketing library and research services.
• Clear, concise and effective verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to present to individuals and groups.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, often with team members in other offices.
• Proven success as a service-oriented, proactive, flexible, adaptable, responsible and detail-oriented individual in prior position(s).
• Proven experience with automated library systems preferred.
• Requires the ability to work hours that support the Eastern Time Zone.

Education/Experience/Certifications
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent.
• Minimum two years law library experience, preferably in a law firm setting.
• Will consider recent MLIS graduates, with relevant skill sets.
If interested, please click HERE to apply.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in the position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills of the employee. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Posting: Research Analyst at Morrison & Foerster LLP

Anne Leave a comment

Morrison & Foerster LLP, an Am Law 50 law firm with 17 offices worldwide, has an opening for a Research Analyst within our Research Services Department in our New York or Denver office.

The Opportunity 

Join the Research Services team of a billion dollar global law firm in a dynamic fast-paced Research Analyst role. The Research Analyst works as part of a firmwide team to provide research expertise for business development efforts and client work. This individual monitors and identifies information sources and data to identify potential opportunities and presents research findings clearly and concisely. The Analyst also participates on firmwide project teams.

  1. As part of the firmwide research team, provide research expertise to support the firm’s practice areas and business development efforts, including research related to markets, industries, and competitors.
  2. Retrieve, package, and present information in response to requests from attorneys and colleagues in research function as well as other departments in the Firm.
  3. Handle a high volume of routine research requests including document retrieval requests, requests to mine websites and other sources, and requests to populate spreadsheets with specified data.
  4. Create current awareness tools, newsletters, and alerts for ongoing monitoring of clients, industries, and events.
  5. Demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to distill and present research work product in a concise, professional manner.

Ideal Candidate       

  1. Strong background in research focusing on a variety of corporate practices and transactions preferred. 
  2. Bachelor’s degree required plus a minimum of two years related experience or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. Master’s degree in Library Science or Information Science or equivalent degree such as a J.D., M.B.A., or other advanced degree is a plus.
  3. Knowledge of the legal materials and databases used to support the Firm’s practice areas and research needs for client work and for business development efforts.
  4. Demonstrate strong research skills and a deep understanding of research strategies.

Who We Are

At Morrison & Foerster, our culture is defined by our deeds. We’re passionate about what we do. We’re equally passionate about how we do it. We resist hierarchies and operate within a model of respect — for our colleagues, their ideas, and the differences that make us stronger. We encourage you to learn more about who we are, and what we do.

Should you find you’re ready to do the best work of your life, we encourage you to let us know!  Here’s a link to the position announcement, and instructions on applying. 

Job Posting: Research and Reference Librarian, Denver HQ Library

Heather Hershey Leave a comment

POSITION: Research and Reference Librarian, Denver HQ Library

SALARY RANGE: CL 27/1 ($54,346) – CL 28/25 ($81,451). Salary is commensurate with experience, qualifications and education. Full range of benefits available.

OPEN DATE: August 30, 2019.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled. Preference given to resumes received by September 30, 2019.

POSITION OVERVIEW: This collaborative and project-oriented librarian position provides reference and research service to court staff and the general public; participates in the creation of library guides and displays; participates in collection development; assists with creating and presenting training sessions; and, works across departments to assist with digitization, archiving, cataloging, and library administration-related projects. This position is located at the headquarters for the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Library in Denver, Colorado.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: Masters Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution AND at least one year of professional law library experience AND a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school. Qualified candidates will also have solid print and electronic research skills (including Lexis and Westlaw); familiarity with both print and electronic resources; experience working with instructional technology and multi- media formats; an ability to work with a diverse patron base; excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills; and, a willingness to make presentations and conduct training sessions. Candidates must excel in a team environment. Additional duties as assigned. Travel within the circuit may be required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Excepted service appointments are “at will” and may be terminated by either the court or the employee at any time. Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Employees are subject to the Judicial Code of Conduct. Direct deposit of pay required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and resume to HR@ca10.uscourts.gov. Documents should be submitted as one PDF attachment. In subject line, reference vacancy announcement #19L06.

THE FEDERAL COURTS ARE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Job Posting: Branch Librarian, Oklahoma Federal Court Libraries

Heather Hershey Leave a comment

POSITION:                Branch Librarian, Oklahoma Federal Court Libraries

LOCATION:              Oklahoma City, OK

SALARY RANGE:     CL 27/1 – CL 28/25 ($49,772 — $74,596). Salary is commensurate with experience, qualifications and education. Full range of benefits available.

OPEN DATE:             August 30, 2019.

CLOSING DATE:      Open Until Filled – Preference given to resumes received by September 30, 2019.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Branch Librarian for the Oklahoma Branch Libraries manages and maintains law libraries within the Tulsa and Oklahoma City courthouses. The librarian is responsible for providing reference and research services to the federal judges and judiciary staff in the Eastern, Western, and Northern Districts of Oklahoma in their respective courthouses. The Branch Librarian will work with the Circuit Librarian and other Research and Reference Librarians circuit-wide as necessary to develop and deliver training and educational programs to court staff, as well as provide online reference and research services throughout Oklahoma (including Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis, OCLC, SIRSI ILS, and the judiciary intranet). The librarian is expected to perform outreach, as well as be comfortable with emerging technologies, and is responsible for improving access to online databases and Internet resources and providing training for such resources. The librarian may perform chambers collection maintenance, as needed. The librarian will work as part of a collaborative team on library-wide issues and projects with other librarians in the Circuit. Additional duties as assigned. This position reports to the Associate Circuit Librarian in Denver and will supervise one full-time Library Technician in Tulsa.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA- accredited institution AND a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school (Bar certification not required); at least three years of professional library experience in a law library or legal research setting.

Expert online research skills (including Lexis and Westlaw) and in-depth familiarity with both print and electronic resources; highly comfortable with providing digital reference service; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to make presentations and conduct training sessions; strong service orientation; ability to work alone and as part of a team; flexibility; initiative. Regular travel to multiple locations is required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Excepted service appointments are “at will” and may be terminated by either the court or the employee at any time. Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Employees are subject to the Judicial Code of Conduct. Direct deposit of pay required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit cover letter and resume to HR@ca10.uscourts.gov. Documents should be submitted as one PDF attachment. In subject line, reference vacancy announcement #19L07.

THE FEDERAL COURTS ARE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Job Posting: Instructional Services Librarian at Colorado Law

Anne Leave a comment

The University of Colorado law library is seeking a librarian with a strong interest in teaching to fill the role of Instructional Services and Research Librarian.  In this position, the librarian is required to provide formal classroom instruction, teach legal research to first year law students, participate in applying instructional design to the law library’s course offerings, and offer instruction in other settings such as clinical programs and in doctrinal classes.  For more information, the complete position description and application instructions are available online. 

The deadline for applications to receive first consideration is Friday, August 15th.

Job Posting: Research Analyst at Cozen O’Connor

Anne Leave a comment

Interested applicants may apply at Careers at Cozen O’Connor

Cozen O’Connor has an opportunity for an experienced Research Analyst to join our Library & Research Team in Philadelphia, Denver, or any of our California offices (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco or Santa Monica). Hours are 11:00-5:00 PT/2:00-8:00 ET. This is a full-time position with comprehensive benefits. Under the guidance of the Director of Research & Business Intelligence, the successful candidate will:

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform high quality legal and business research assistance for attorneys and staff
  • Develop and maintain knowledge of the firm’s available online and print research resources 
  • Monitor and provide alerts on clients, industries, and legal topics
  • Work with other Research Analysts to provide quality coverage to all offices
  • Train attorneys and staff on cost-efficient use of electronic resources 
  • Lead orientations of library services to new hires
  • Evaluate new products as necessary and make recommendations for the purchase of resources
  • Identify possible new acquisitions, changes to print needs, and assist with the maintenance of print collections

Qualifications and Requirements

  • JD and/or MLS
  • 2+ years of law firm library experience
  • Proficiency in Westlaw/PLC, Lexis, Bloomberg/BNA, CCH, D&B/Hoover’s, Monitor Suite, PACER, TLO, and other library research resources 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy and detail
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Service-oriented team player, with initiative and problem-solving abilities

Cozen O’Connor is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

Position Open: Associate Director and Head of Technical Services – Colorado Law

Anne

The William A. Wise Law Library is seeking to fill the position of Associate Director and Head of Technical Services. We are looking for someone with a blend of emotional intelligence and technical expertise. Please let anyone who might be interested know of this opportunity to move to a dynamic and innovative library in a breathtakingly beautiful location. The full job description follows:

Associate Director and Head of Technical Services

The University of Colorado Law School’s William A. Wise Law Library is seeking an innovative, enthusiastic, and service-driven individual to serve as the Associate Director and Head of Technical Services, to help us in shaping services and collections for 21st century learners, educators, and scholars. The Wise Law Library is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the largest collection of legal materials in Colorado. The Law Library supports the vision of the law school: A supportive and diverse community of scholars and students in a place that inspires vigorous pursuit of ideas, critical analysis, and civic engagement in order to advance the rule of law in an open, sustainable society.

            The Associate Director and Head of Technical Services reports to the Director of the Law Library. The position is a faculty position within the law school, at the instructor or senior instructor level. The successful candidate will provide administrative assistance to the Director and administer the Technical Services Department.

Job Duties Include:

  • Maintaining systematic and effective communication with all Law Library Departments;
  • Along with other Department Heads, assisting the Director in management decisions, including developing and implementing goals, policies, and budgets;
  • Collecting data and preparing requested yearly reports for the Law Library and the Law School;
  • Advising the Director on physical plant needs and planning;
  • Coordinating procedures and paperwork for all personnel actions;
  • Planning, developing, coordinating, overseeing, and participating in the technical services functions of the law library, including acquisitions, cataloging and metadata services, and serials and e-resource management. This includes setting new policies, procedures, and workflows, as well as regular evaluation of the effectiveness of such services.
  • Supervising the law library staff dedicated to technical services. This currently includes direct supervision of a Metadata Services Librarian, an Acquisitions and Research Librarian, and a Serials and Acquisitions Technician, and indirect supervision of those reporting to those positions;
  • Overseeing the current Integrated Library System (Millennium), including recommending and implementing changes, ensuring accurate bibliographic control;
  • Leading the law library’s transition to a next-generation library management system, as either an University-wide or a CU system-wide implementation;
  • Serving on relevant University- and unit-level committees;
  • Serving on local and national committees relevant to job performance; and
  • Other duties as assigned.

 Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Excellent communication skills;
  • High emotional intelligence;
  • Strong service commitment;
  • Ability to work within a team environment;
  • Knowledge of original and copy cataloging and bibliographic maintenance;
  • Knowledge of recent developments and emerging trends in library technical service;
  • Strong analytical/problem solving skills pertaining to the organization and accessibility of legal information;
  • Supervisory skills;
  • Attention to detail, timeliness, and dependability; and
  • Highly proficient knowledge of American legal research tools.

Required Education and/or Experience:

  • Master of Library Science degree from ALA-accredited school
  • Five years of law library experience

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited school;
  • More than five years of law library experience;
  • Familiarity with relevant computer applications (esp. Millennium, LibGuides, Microsoft Office)

Salary Ranges:  Salary commensurate with experience. Colorado Law offers an excellent benefits package. For more information, see https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits.

Application Procedure: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and a list of three references to Susan Nevelow Mart at susan.mart@colorado.edu. Applications should be submitted prior to June 15, 2019; the application period will remain open until the position is filled.