Norfolk Librarians' Luncheon for Jeanne Ullian

L-R: Laurie Claywell, Jeanne Ullian, Nancy Loewenberg, Tracie Krumbine

Photo by Donna Bausch

Farewell to Jeanne Ullian

by Greg Stoner

As you may already know, our friend and colleague Jeanne Ullian will soon be retiring from Williams Mullen after 13 years of dedicated service. Throughout the course of her time with the firm, our staff and attorneys have come to depend upon Jeanne and her ability to provide reliable information and assistance. Bob Nusbaum, a partner in our Norfolk office, has known Jeanne since her arrival at the firm:

“Jeanne Ullian is the consummate law librarian. She has managed our Law Library at Williams Mullen – Norfolk with a quiet efficiency that masks the magnitude of the routine work of receiving, shelving and maintaining a large volume of books and publications. Our lawyers, young and old, are daily beneficiaries of her uncommon skill in researching and delivering good legal authority for diverse and arcane propositions, both substantive and procedural. All this is done promptly and graciously. To say that Jeanne will be missed is a massive understatement! We wish her well.”

Many of you may have met Jeanne at a VALL meeting or event or had the opportunity to connect through your work. I first met Jeanne in 2008 when I came to Williams Mullen as a librarian in our Richmond office. New to the world of law libraries, I quickly found Jeanne’s approach to her work and the profession to be both inspiring and motivating. I soon realized her level of organization and attention to detail was second to none, and her diligence in dealing with any task or issue before her truly impressive. Regular conversations regarding matters both important and mundane soon became not only opportunities for us to make progress in our work, but also occasions for me to learn and help shape my developing understanding of the true essence of law librarianship.

While Jeanne has taught me so much, I do take great pleasure in knowing I was able to convince her to help share that knowledge with others in the form of a session at the 2011 VLA/VALL conference. While initially hesitant, she quickly jumped in with both feet (in characteristic fashion) and helped orchestrate a program on legal literacy we co-presented with Terry Long (and valuable assistance from Isabel Paul).

For me, Jeanne has been not only a colleague, but a valued friend and mentor. I know there are many others out there who have also reaped the benefits of Jeanne’s contributions to our profession or have come to count her as a friend. It almost goes without saying that we will miss her - but for someone who has worked so hard and done so much I can hardly think of anyone more deserving of the rewards of retirement. Our best wishes to Jeanne on this next chapter of her life!

VALL Spring Meeting Registration Ends Today!

Please register for the VALL Spring Meeting! Registration deadline is today, April 5. Here is the link to the meeting and registration information: http://vall.pbworks.com/w/file/51616696/VALL_2012_Spring_Meeting_Registration.doc

Renew Your AALL Membership!

Renew Your AALL Membership Early for a Chance to Win a Free 2012 AALL Annual Meeting Registration

In March, AALL dues invoices for 2012-2013 mailed out to all library directors for their institutionally paid memberships and to all other individual members. The deadline for membership renewal is May 31.

When you renew early—by May 1—you will be entered in a drawing for a free 2012 AALL Annual Meeting and Conference registration. If you renew on time—by May 31—you'll be entered in a drawing for a free AALL webinar of your choice in 2012-2013. Following is the 2012 membership renewal schedule:

March: First dues invoices mailed out.
May: Second dues invoices mailed out.
June: Final dues invoices mailed out.
July: Expiration notices e-mailed to all members—individuals and those paid by institutions.
August 1: Expired members deleted from the AALL membership database and access to the AALLNET members-only content and Law Library Journal and AALL Spectrum subscriptions discontinued.

For more information or to renew your membership online, view the application form on AALLNET. If you have any questions about your membership renewal, contact AALL Headquarters at membership@aall.org or 312/205-8022.

(Application form link: http://www.aallnet.org/join)

Librarian position available at Williams Mullen

Librarian (Virginia Beach/Norfolk Office)

Williams Mullen, an award-winning AmLaw 200 firm, is well regarded for providing comprehensive legal services to regional, national and international clients in a wide variety of general and specialty practice areas. With about 275 attorneys and ten offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the firm delivers innovative, team-supported solutions to support its clients’ diverse business activities. Close working relationships with clients have been the foundation of Williams Mullen’s progressive approach to law practice since the firm was founded over 100 years ago in Richmond, Virginia, where the firm maintains its headquarters today.

Williams Mullen is seeking a Librarian responsible for all tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of the libraries in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk offices. The librarian will support local and firm wide library projects and initiatives. The candidate must have a professional presentation and have a team player attitude.

Responsibilities include:
Conduct research using a variety of on-line and print resources.
Provide guidance to the attorneys and paralegals on sources and strategies for research.
Record incoming books and periodicals using a library software system.
Recommend resources and solutions regarding practice group needs.
Process payment of invoices, ordering of books and other materials.
Maintenance of libraries in multiple locations.

Requirements Include:
3-5 years of law library or comparable experience including familiarity with legal research in print and online resources
Must have strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
Experience working with patrons and handling research, inventory, and collections.
Superior customer service skills.
Strong knowledge of online databases and other research systems.
Must have confidence, knowledge and positive personality and the ability to function independently.

This position is open until filled. Visit the Williams Mullen website to apply online.

Submissions for VLA Annual Conference

VALL will not be partnersing with VLA this year, but please consider submitting a concurrent session proposal for the VLA 2012 Annual Meeting which will be held Oct. 24 - 26 in Williamsburg. The deadline to submit a proposal is May 1.

Please see below for details about submission:


May 1: Deadline to complete the 2012 Annual Conference Concurrent Session Proposal form. We know you're doing GREAT things at your library -- why not share? Go to http://www.vla.org/?p=4430 for the appropriate forms and suggestions for sessions from your colleagues. Sessions are 45 minutes long and are terrific ways to network and build your resume! (please note, the Williamsburg Marriott has changed its name and is now the Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center.)

VALL Grants

Congratulations to Bill Magee from Regent University Law Library who was awarded a VALL grant to attend SEAALL 2012 in Clearwater, Florida! The conference was held March 22 - 24. Keep an eye out on the blog ... Bill will be writing about his experience very soon.

Don't forget to apply for grants to attend AALL in Boston. The deadline is April 15 ... don't let it creep up on you! Click here to get to the grants information and application form: http://vall.pbworks.com/w/page/23509251/VALL%20Grants