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Blue Book Relays

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Each fall first year law students participate in the Barber Emerson Bluebook Relays. The competition, sponsored by a Lawrence law firm, tests legal research skills learned in the lawyering program. Working in teams, students locate references in the library and write the citation in correct Bluebook format. The point system rewards speed, accuracy and citation skills. There is a cash prize for the winning team but the big reward is the fun that comes from putting competition in perspective.

A Brief History of the Blue Book Relays

In 1990 1L Steve Passer jump-started the "Passer Blue Book Relays" which would become one of the school's most memorable traditions. Steve personally provided the prize money until graduating when the Dean took over as financial sponsor for the event. In the mid 1990's the junior attorneys at Barber Emerson decided to provide prize money in honor of well-liked founding attorney, Richard A. Barber. Barber Emerson remains the event's sponsor today and attorneys from the firm sit as judges for the event each year.

Rules of the Blue Book Relays

  1. NO cell phones
  2. NO running
  3. Do not remove books from their locations on the shelf
  4. Only bring a pad of paper and a pen with you
  5. The Blue Book "expert" must stay outside of the library

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The teams will consist of 10 members total, 9 runners and 1 Blue Book "expert." Each team has 45 minutes to complete the relay. A whistle will be blown to denote start and stop times. Each team receives 9 questions covering 9 citation examples learned in the Lawyering course. Each question is worth 10 points and deductions are made for minor or major citing errors. There will be proctors monitoring runners throughout the library.

The Display

The Blue Book Relays display consists of information concerning the event along with articles written about the unique competition. Photographs portray relayers, winning teams and Barber Emerson attorneys who participate as judges for the event each year. Team "Who's Joe Custer?!" took home the trophy and prize money at this year's Barber Emerson Blue Book Relays, which took place Friday October 27, 2006. Congratulations!