Kenneth Hirsh

Kenneth J Hirsh

Director of the Law Library and Professor of Practice

University of Cincinnati College of Law
P.O. Box 210142
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
Phone (513) 556-0159
Email ken.hirsh@uc.edu

Professional Summary

With extensive experience in reference and information technology, Professor Kenneth J. Hirsh has a reputation as an innovator, using his legal education, practice background, and technical expertise to bring new technologies to students and faculty. At the College of Law he is responsible for leading the development of a strong, service-oriented library staff He has developed the school's Technology in the Law Practice course, and co-teaches that course as well as Advanced Legal Research.
A prominent leader in two of the foremost organizations in his field, the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) and the Center for Computer Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI), Hirsh has been honored by both organizations for his outstanding service and contribution. In fact, the AALL has named its distinguished service award in the area of computing services for him. A former president of the AALL’s Southeastern Chapter, and a current member of AALL's Executive Board, he served on the CALI Board of Directors for twelve years.
Professor Hirsh is a graduate of the University of Miami and received his JD from the University of Florida. After practicing law in Florida for nearly ten years, he returned to school to obtain his MS in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University. He then joined the Law Library at Duke University School of Law, serving in numerous positions: Reference Librarian, Manager of Computing Services, and Director of Computing Services. He also has served as a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke, teaching courses in legal research and technology.

Education

AB: University of Miami

JD: University of Florida

MS: Florida State University

Research and Practice Interests

  • Technology in the Practice of Law
  • Copyright
  • Administrative Law

Positions and Work Experience

02-2009 -To Present Director of the Law Library and Professor of Practice, • Direct Law Library and IT operations of college of law with 320 students and 31 resident faculty • Supervised staff of twelve including seven librarians • Teach advanced legal research course and “Technology in Law Practice.” • Relaunched “Securities Lawyer’s Deskbook” at https://lawblogs.uc.edu/sld.” • Participate in college and university committees o Chair, University Libraries Copyright Committee o Blue Ribbon Task Force on Academic Information Technology o Faculty co-chair, IT Infrastructure Committee / Core Services and Infrastructure Committee o Faculty Senate IT Committee o University Bicentennial Commission o Student Information Systems Pre-Implementation Working Group o College of Law Security Review Task Force o Library Directors Council o Catalyst (Student Information System) Change Champions Committee , University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

09-1989 -01-2009 Director of Computing Services and Senior Lecturing Fellow, • Developed and co-taught Technology in the Practice of Law • Proposed and developed Computing Services Department • Implemented individual Internet e-mail accounts for law school community • Created technical infrastructure for law school web site in 1995 • Planned and implemented network infrastructure for two law school building additions • Supervised staff of five employees • Planned and managed annual capital and operating budgets • Participated in Information Technology Advisory Council, OIT Extended Staff, and Campus I.T. Support Group and several task forces • Established network use policies and ensured development of business operations continuity plan • Implemented student notebook computer ownership requirement • Taught legal research classes • Applied legal education and practice background to understand needs of community , Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

09-1979 -11-1986 Attorney-at-Law, Practiced general civil practice in Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida.,

Contact Information

Academic - University of Cincinnati College of Law
P.O. Box 210142
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221
Phone: (513) 556-0159
ken.hirsh@uc.edu