CRIV CONNECTION

Author: Jean Davis, Associate Librarian for International Law, Brooklyn Law School & CRIV Committee member

One of my most enjoyable tasks is serving as “Benji Dunn” to Brooklyn Journal of International Law’s (BJIL’s) stellar “Impossible Mission Force” team. I recently made the points below to BJIL’s new team members: 

• The first source listed in The Bluebook’s Rule 21.4.5(a)(1) Bilateral treaties is now: U.S.T.I.F. = United States Treaties in Force.  According to the U.S. Department of State, Treaties in Force ”lists treaties and other international agreements of the United States on record in the Department of State, which, as of January 1, 2020, had not expired by their own terms or which had not been denounced by the parties, replaced, or superseded by other agreements, or otherwise definitely terminated.”  I am not sure why The Bluebook’s editors chose to include a list (or index) in Rule 21.4.5(a)(1).  Possibly, they were trying to let researchers know that sometimes Treaties in Force directs researchers to a treaty depositary’s website to find the text of a treaty. On June 23, 2025, I wrote to The Bluebook’s editors to ask why U.S.T.I.F. is listed in The Bluebook’s Rule 21.4.5(a)(1) Bilateral treaties. I will share any future response here.
• New members of scholarly journals frequently ask librarians how scholarly legal writing differs from 1L legal writing assignments. A recent edition of this book will help these students: Jessica Lynn Wherry & Kristen E. Murray, Scholarly Writing: Ideas, Examples, and Execution (4th ed. 2025). If you teach legal writing, you can request a complimentary copy from Carolina Academic Press. This book’s description states that the 4th edition includes “content on generative artificial intelligence.” 

• Some members of international law-focused journals need to identify possible note topics before they have an opportunity to take an international law course. West Academic Publishing now sells single digital copies of many study aids through GOBI. Brooklyn Law School Library provides digital copies of Sean D. Murphy’s Public International Law in a Nutshell (7th ed. c2025) and “Concise Hornbook” Principles of International Law (4th ed. c2025) to our patrons. Our library was able to create a loan rule that allows circulation of these digital study aids for two hours at a time (like a print “Reserve” book). So, librarians can now refer students who are away from campus to the introductory chapters in these digital study aids.     

• This Tips page in BLS Library’s publicly accessible Paper Topic Selection: International guide explains how law students enrolled in U.S. law schools can join two U.S. bar associations and American Society of International Law (ASIL) for free. (Note: ASIL student membership is free for law students at ASIL Academic Partner law schools. But many ASIL webinars and program recordings are available to the public.)  Membership in these bodies will increase law students’ access to international law news, articles, webinars, and networking events.  

• Digital collection Oxford Law Pro: International Law and International Organizations has replaced former collection Oxford Scholarly Authorities on International Law. Soon, you will be able to read this forthcoming CRIV Connections post: New: Oxford Law Pro + OUP’s July 10 Webinar on Oxford Law Pro.