New Books At The Zief Law Library

Publisher: Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2025.
"Food, Farming, and Sustainability" surveys the laws applicable to agriculture within the context of creating a sustainable food supply. The book examines the special legal treatment of agriculture, its origins, and impacts on the food system. The third edition includes updates on U.S. agricultural census data, new policies, and climate change effects on food production. It covers regenerative agriculture, competition and antitrust issues, and emphasizes food policy. The text combines legal and policy readings, addressing challenges in balancing social, political, economic, and environmental concerns, and concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of the food system. A companion website is available for additional resources.

Publisher: Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2024.
"Animal People" by Adam Reed delves into the world of animal protection from the viewpoint of "moderate" activists. It examines the relationship between moral causes and organizational culture, highlighting how expert roles like investigator and lobbyist influence animal advocacy practices. The book discusses the connections between professionalism and everyday advocacy, as well as how activists develop expertise in public ethics. Reed uses a Scottish-based animal protection organization as a case study, contributing to discussions on human and nonhuman animal interactions, activism, and moral action in anthropology.

Publisher: New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2024.
The book discusses the need for interspecies welfare comparisons to evaluate how different animal species, such as pigs and chickens, fare in terms of welfare. It highlights the absence of established methods for making these comparisons, as current welfare assessment tools are limited to within-species evaluations. The book addresses this gap by proposing a methodology for interspecies welfare comparisons and presents initial findings from a collaborative, interdisciplinary project involving various experts. It aims to create principled comparisons between actions affecting different animal species. The book is available for free under an open access license.

Publisher: Toronto, Ontario: LexisNexis Canada, 2024.
A Practical Guide to Web3, Blockchain, and Smart Contract Law" is a comprehensive handbook aimed at lawyers, accountants, business professionals, and academics involved in the Blockchain field. This third edition addresses various legal topics perceived as ambiguous, such as securities, taxation, business structuring, anti-money laundering, smart contracts, and estate issues. Each chapter is contributed by experts from the legal, accounting, and academic Blockchain community, offering an interdisciplinary analysis that explores how developments in Web3, Blockchain, and Metaverse law fit within established legal frameworks.

Publisher: New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2024.
The text presents a radical reappraisal of the nature and activities of business as outlined by John Kay. It highlights how traditional concepts of capital and labor have evolved, noting that ownership of production has become less relevant in the modern context where products and services are increasingly digital and intangible. Workers are now seen as integral to the production process, often working from home, while capital is viewed as a service rather than a direct asset. Modern corporations are run by professional managers whose authority stems from their roles rather than their wealth. The work critiques the growing disconnect between consumer appreciation for products and disdain for producers, suggesting a need for a deeper understanding of contemporary business dynamics. The book has received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2024 Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award.

Publisher: Cambridge, United Kingdom; New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
"Hard Lessons in Corporate Governance" examines the failures of corporate governance in improving societal outcomes. It reveals that commonly accepted 'best' practices do not yield positive results and challenges the underlying theories and assumptions of modern corporate governance. The evidence suggests that governance mechanisms are unlikely to enhance political, environmental, and social outcomes. Ultimately, Bryce Tingle K.C. emphasizes the need to address and rectify these shortcomings in the corporate governance system.

Publisher: Athens: The University of Georgia Press, 2025.
Eric T. Kasper and Howard Schweber’s book, "In James Madison's Constitution," explores Madison's influential role in drafting the Constitution and how his ideas shaped its key concepts. While many aspects of the modern Constitution reflect Madison's vision, some do not align with his original intentions due to amendments and interpretations over time. The text emphasizes the ongoing debates among various stakeholders regarding constitutional interpretation, with Madison often cited as a pivotal figure in these discussions.

Publisher: Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama Press, 2025.
"Overturned" analyzes the US Supreme Court's history of overruling nearly 300 prior rulings, focusing particularly on the controversial Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Author Clarke Rountree explores how the court justifies these reversals through rhetorical strategies, examining cases over time, by type, and in relation to changes in court membership. He recounts significant historical overrulings, such as Salmon Chase's contradictory actions regarding the Legal Tender Act and the overturning of a key patent-rights case in the film industry. The book offers insights into the interplay of law, rhetoric, politics, and history, appealing to those interested in the Supreme Court's role.

Publisher: Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2025.
"Speaking of Crime" is an essential resource that explores the role of language in the criminal justice system. The book addresses key questions, such as the effectiveness of the Miranda warning, the reasons behind false confessions, and the identification of authorship in anonymous threats. Authored by Lawrence M. Solan, Peter M. Tiersma, and Tammy Gales, the second edition includes updated discussions on recent cases, new legislation, and advances in research, as well as a chapter focused on the interpretation of laws in linguistic contexts. It serves as a comprehensive and accessible survey for scholars, students, and practitioners in the field.

Publisher: Cambridge: Intersentia, 2024.
Criminal procedure involves the processes of investigating, adjudicating, and sentencing suspects within the criminal justice system, which consists of various actors and institutions. While systems may vary, they face similar challenges regarding the conditions for investigations, the admissibility of evidence, and consequences for rule violations. Additionally, criminal procedure grants citizens rights concerning their interactions with the state. The organization of criminal justice and the design of its procedures depend on the specific legal system, shaped by its history, institutions, principles, and values.

Publisher: Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2024.
Community Data offers a toolkit designed for data storytelling that prioritizes inclusion, empowerment, and impact within community settings. Traditional data visualization methods have remained unchanged, leading to adverse and discriminatory effects in various fields, such as community organizing and civic governance. Drawing on 15 years of collaboration with nonprofits and marginalized populations, the book presents a community-driven framework that realigns data practices with principles of justice and empowerment, ensuring equitable participation in data processes. Additionally, it expands the ways data can be presented, moving beyond traditional charts and graphs to incorporate arts-based practices such as data murals, sculptures, and theatre.

Publisher: Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2025.
"Mastering Elder Law" addresses key issues in representing elderly clients, focusing on topics such as public benefits, retirement systems, age discrimination, estate planning, guardianships, and ethical concerns. The book highlights the balance between state protection of vulnerable citizens and promoting their autonomy. It includes practical examples and clear explanations of complex topics like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The third edition updates recent case law, regulations, and statutes impacting the elderly, with new discussions on various acts, Social Security changes, retirement fund developments, and ethical considerations from The ACTEC Commentaries.

Publisher: New Haven, USA: Yale University Press, 2024.
The book is a comprehensive guide to fraudulent elections globally, particularly in the context of the pivotal election year 2024. Authors Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas highlight that authoritarian leaders can maintain power through various election-rigging tactics, including gerrymandering, voter suppression, ballot-box stuffing, and misinformation. The guide documents these corrupt practices in countries like Argentina, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States, providing a critical perspective on the compromised political processes while also suggesting potential solutions for improvement.

Publisher: Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
The book discusses the costs of administering elections, highlighting it as an understudied area in election science. It reports on election costs in 48 out of 50 states, revealing a significant variation in spending, with costs ranging from just over $2 to nearly $20 per voter. The analysis covers the period from 2008 to 2016 and notes that economic events like the Great Recession influenced election spending differently across regions. Additionally, it examines the relationship between election administration spending and voter confidence, suggesting that spending levels are linked to perceptions of fraud in elections.

Publisher: Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
The book discusses the evolution of campaign field operations since Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 elections, where campaigns established voter contact through local field offices. In contrast, the 2020 election saw Joe Biden win without field offices due to COVID-19, while Donald Trump's campaign opened over 300. The study analyzes two decades of data on office locations and staff interviews, revealing that local field offices are generally more effective for Democrats than Republicans, even though Democratic operations are declining while Republican efforts are increasing. The text questions whether future campaigns will return to physical offices or continue to focus on digital strategies.

Publisher: Eagan, MN: Thomson Reuters, 2025.
Volume 1 introduces key concepts such as the examination of witnesses, admission and exclusion, competency, and privilege, both in common law and statutory contexts, as well as constitutional privilege, and relevancy and its counterweights. Volume 2 explores real evidence, other nontestimonial evidence, and demonstrative aids. It discusses writings, the hearsay rule along with its exceptions, judicial notice, and the burden of proof along with presumptions.

Publisher: New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2025.
"Borders and Belonging" by Hiroshi Motomura offers a comprehensive and fair-minded examination of immigration policy. It highlights the complexity of immigration as a polarizing issue in advanced democracies, urging readers to recognize the nuanced responses to migration. Motomura affirms the importance of national borders and explores key questions surrounding who should be allowed entry, the treatment of forced migrants, the status of lawful immigrants, and the role of enforcement. He emphasizes addressing the root causes of immigration to pursue a more realistic and ethical immigration policy. The book serves as a guide to achieve fair and sustainable immigration practices.

Publisher: Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2025.
In this book, Keith Richotte explores the federal government's authority over Native America, focusing on the concept of plenary power as established by the Supreme Court in the 1880s, initially rooted in racist ideologies. By the 21st century, the Court shifted its narrative to credit the U.S. Constitution as the source of this authority. Richotte questions when and why this change occurred and its implications for Native America, the Supreme Court, and the rule of law. Utilizing the style of trickster stories, he provides a fresh perspective on over a century of Native American legal history, emphasizing themes of race, power, and sovereignty while offering insights for a more just and equitable future.

Publisher: Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2025.
Understanding Insurance Law serves as either a primary textbook or a supplementary resource for those studying insurance law, aiming to make the subject accessible to students and practitioners. For nearly forty years, it has been an authoritative reference, frequently cited by courts. The book is structured into four main parts: Part A explores the nature of insurance law, insurance policies, the industry, and regulatory frameworks. Part B addresses the establishment of the contractual relationship between insurers and insureds, focusing on their respective obligations. Part C delves into the performance of duties within insurance contracts, including claims presentation and issues related to liability insurance. Finally, Part D discusses additional important topics such as group insurance, special challenges in automobile insurance, reinsurance, and excess and umbrella coverage.

Publisher: United States of America: Oxford University Press, 2024.
Islamophobia is a growing global issue fueled by right-wing populism, xenophobia, and anti-Muslim scapegoating. Its consequences include the detention of Uyghurs in China, violence against Indian Muslims, and the genocide of the Rohingya. In the global north, Muslims face denial of religious freedom and civil rights due to perceptions of undermining liberal values. A study of ten countries across North America, Europe, and Asia reveals that right-wing politicians, supported by conservative media and civil society, use Islamophobia to heighten majority populations' fears of losing power and wealth. The text analyzes these interconnected phenomena with empirical evidence from recognized scholars.

Publisher: Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2024
The book "Legal Education in the Western World" by Rogelio Pérez-Perdomo offers a comprehensive history of legal education from Ancient Rome to contemporary Europe and the Americas. It explores the formation of professional culture through legal education, emphasizing the concepts and transmission of legal knowledge, and the roles of various stakeholders such as masters, professors, and students. The author examines historical periods and societies that have shaped modern legal education, while also including overlooked materials. The book presents a broad view of the strengths and weaknesses of legal education approaches across different societies, making it a valuable resource for scholars and historians seeking to enhance legal education.

Publisher: Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2025.
"Finding Your Voice in Law School" provides strategies for success in law school and beyond, addressing challenges like intense discussions, mock trials, and mastering legal language. The updated second edition includes new chapters on effective negotiation and finding happiness in the legal profession, alongside materials for practicing civil trial skills. The book emphasizes the importance of effective communication with various stakeholders, from professors to clients, and aims to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to excel in a competitive environment and achieve their goals as lawyers.

Publisher: Cambridge, Massachusetts; London, England: Harvard University Press, 2023.
Scott Hershovitz argues that law is fundamentally a moral practice that serves as a tool for regulating our moral relationships. He contends that legal claims are inherently moral claims, and legal conflicts are essentially moral conflicts. In his work, "Law Is a Moral Practice," Hershovitz revives a tradition of legal thought associated with Ronald Dworkin, addressing significant legal and political issues, including constitutional interpretation and civic obligations. The book aims to provide fresh insights into the nature of law and explores the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary legal debates, while using personal stories to engage readers.

Publisher: Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
The book discusses the nature of race, questioning whether it is a biological or social category and its significance in scientific explanations. It addresses three key perspectives: biological racial realism, which defends the biological meaningfulness of race; social constructivism, which sees race as a concept shaped by human thought and actions; and racial anti-realism, suggesting that race is not a valid category, likening it to mythical concepts. The text evaluates these views, especially critiquing biological racial realism through the lens of naturalness and the philosophy of biology and medicine.

Publisher: New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2025.
A philosopher advocates for a revolution in ethics by expanding our "moral circle" to include insects, AI systems, and microbes, challenging the prevalent notion of human exceptionalism. Currently, humanity tends to prioritize its own interests, leading to the extensive use of animals and nonhumans in various ways. The author, Jeff Sebo, raises essential questions regarding the significance of nonhumans and our responsibilities towards them in a world impacted by human activities and technology. Through case studies and ethical dilemmas, he encourages us to rethink our role and responsibilities, suggesting that a transformative approach is necessary for a positive future.

Publisher: Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
Kant's "Doctrine of Right" (1797) explores the philosophy of law and argues that rightful relations among individuals can only be established within a defined constitutional civil legal condition. He views this idea as a postulate of practical reason, positioning the pure idea of the state as the pinnacle of his practical philosophy. The work aims to clarify public right and interpret legal arrangements through the lens of the noumenal republic. Properly understood, Kant's postulate serves as the epistemological foundation for a non-positivist legal theory, which remains significant in contemporary legal philosophy and methodology.

Publisher: Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
This book presents the findings of a significant research initiative involving numerous scholars globally, focusing on the effectiveness of community policing in reducing crime and enhancing trust between police and citizens. It addresses the challenge of crime reduction without escalating tensions between law enforcement and communities. Despite the growing implementation of community policing, particularly in the U.S. and developing nations, credible evidence of its impact on trust and crime rates has been limited. The research includes coordinated field experiments across various political contexts to determine the effectiveness of this strategy, offering a new perspective on police reform through cumulative learning.

Publisher: Cambridge, United Kingdom; New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2024.
The book addresses the decline of public trust in democratic capitalism, emphasizing its importance as a national ideal. The author defines democratic capitalism and highlights how it has been undermined by cronyism and restricted political voice. To restore this system, practical steps are proposed, based on the principles of political equality, reciprocity, and power sharing, inspired by political philosopher Danielle Allen. The author also explores how private corporations can support democracy and concludes with reflections on the moral culture needed to sustain public confidence in democratic capitalism. An appendix discusses the flawed principle of shareholder wealth maximization and its negative impact on corporate moral responsibility.

Publisher: Durham, North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2025.
The text discusses the current surge in social activism in the U.S., comparing it to the activism of the 1960s. It explores the views on anger as a crucial emotion in activism, with activists seeing it as a sign of commitment and moral righteousness, while observers often view it as irrational and harmful. The book delves into how societal power dynamics and emotional labor rules related to race and gender influence perceptions of anger. It suggests that understanding anger within relational contexts can help activists rethink its role and develop new practices to promote effective social change, particularly through legal reforms.