Mark your calendars for our last two training sessions of the year: December 6 (Westlaw) and December 8 (Quicklaw), each running from 12:00 – 1:00pm. Stop by the CCLA Library for one or both of the sessions to brush up on your research skills before the end of the year – and count it towards your CPD hours! Best of all, it’s free!

As always, the sessions are held in the CCLA Library, located in Room 2004 on the main floor of the Ottawa Courthouse, at 161 Elgin Street. If you would like to attend either of the following, or if you have any questions at all, drop me a quick email at blauritzen@ccla-abcc.ca. Bring your lunch with you, and light refreshments will be provided. I hope to see you there!

Westlaw Tools, Tuesday, December 6th, 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Skip the keyword search. Learn how to use the Canadian Encyclopedic Digest, Canadian Abridgment, and KeyCite features to very quickly narrow and find the most relevant case law, legislation, and commentary that you need. Westlaw basics will also be reviewed.

Quicklaw Tools, Thursday, December 8th, 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Let them narrow the search results for you. Learn how to use Quicklaw’s Canada Digest, Canada Quantums, and Quickcite features to search within the most relevant case law, legislation, and commentary, instead of starting from scratch. Quicklaw basics will also be reviewed.

For experienced members, these programs count for 1 Substantive Hour toward the annual LSUC CPD requirement. These CPD hours are not accredited for the new member requirement.

As Jen kindly introduced, my name is Brenda and I’m taking over as Reference Librarian here at the CCLA! It’s obvious to me that Katie did an amazing job here and it’s my biggest hope that I can continue on in that tradition.

By way of a brief introduction – I obtained my Masters in Information Studies at the University of Toronto, before doing some work at the Ontario Securities Commission law library. Most recently I have come from working as the Librarian at the Hamilton Law Association, the CCLA’s equivalent in Hamilton. On a more personal note, I’m probably one of the biggest nerds out there – video games, sci-fi/fantasy, board games – you name it! So stop by and say hello sometime, I promise I won’t bite (unless it’s the zombie apocalypse of course, then all bets are off).

Needless to say I’m extremely excited to be here and am really looking forward to working with and getting to know the legal community in Ottawa. And of course if you have any research questions my email (blauritzen@ccla-abcc.ca) and phone line (613-233-7386 ex.222) are always open!