Heidi L. Frostestad

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Information Services
Professor of Law

Office: Swen Parson 267D

About

Heidi L. Frostestad Kuehl joined the NIU College of Law in 2014 as an associate professor of law and director of the David C. Shapiro Memorial Law Library. Professor Kuehl's primary research and teaching interests are in foreign, comparative, and international law, international business transactions, law and technology, and basic and advanced legal research.

Prior to joining the NIU College of Law, Professor Kuehl was the associate director for Research and Reference Services and Foreign, Comparative and International Law Library at Northwestern University School of Law's Pritzker Legal Research Center in Chicago. After graduate school and law school, she worked at the Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee as a law librarian and an adjunct professor. She has also taught international legal research at the John Marshall Law School (Center for International Law). Professor Kuehl also worked as the Circuit Librarian and a Court Unit Executive at the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from 2021-2022.

During law school, Professor Kuehl was the executive editor of publication of the Valparaiso University Law Review, studied abroad in Cambridge, England, was a member of the International Law Society, and participated in the Jessup International Moot Court team. She is a graduate of the Valparaiso University Law School and received her B.A. in music performance and English from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She also received her M.A. in library and information science from the University of Iowa while working at the University of Iowa College of Law Library.

Education

B.A., Luther College
M.A., University of Iowa
J.D., Valparaiso University Law School

Publications

Books and Book Chapters

International Legal Research in a Global Community (Carolina Academic Press, 2nd edition), forthcoming 2026.
International Legal Research in a Global Community (with Megan A. O'Brien) (Carolina Academic Press, 2017).

Articles

Law Reviews

Technologically Competent Reprised: Ethical Practice in an AI Age and Considerations for our Courts in a Burgeoning AI Era, 12 Belmont L. Rev. 336 (Spring 2025).
AI Regulation in a ChatGPT Era: Cross-border Cooperation and Hope in a Sudden Storm, 32 Ind. J. Glob. Legal Stud. 1 (forthcoming Fall 2024).
The Right to Access Legal Information: Progress and Evolving Norms in a Digital Age, 114 L. Libr. J. 261 (2022).
Global Legal Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Where's the Beef?, 46 N.C. J. Int'l L. 111 (2021).
Technologically Competent: Ethical Practice for 21st Century Lawyering, 10 Case W. Res. J.L. Tech. & Internet 1 (2019).
The 'Fight Song' of International Anti-Bribery Norms and Enforcement, 40(2) U. Pa. J. Int'l L. 465 (2019).
Resources for Becoming Culturally Competent in a Multijurisdictional Practice: G20 Nations and Associated Legal Traditions, 44 Int'l J. Legal Info. 83 (2016).
Free Speech and Defamation in an Era of Social Media: An Analysis of Federal and Illinois Norms in the Context of Anonymous Online Defamers, 36 N. Ill. U. L. Rev. 1 (2016).
GlobaLex: A Unique and Valuable Tool for Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Research, 34 Int'l J. Legal Info. 473 (Winter 2006).
Note, Voest-Alpine Trading v. Bank of China: Can a Uniform Interpretation of a 'Direct Effect' Be Attained Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) of 1976?, 34 Val. U. L. Rev. 515 (Summer 2000).

Other Writing

Designing Data Projects Using Court Records: Lessons from the SCALES OKN Project, including Its Cost, Data, and Development Challenges, AALL Spectrum 12 (Nov.-Dec. 2022) (with Rebecca Fordon, Tom Gaylord & Adam R. Pah).
What Web3 Means for Lawyers' Ethical Duties, Law360 Pulse (Oct. 11, 2022, 12:02 PM).
Update: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (May/June 2022).
Another Successful AALL Lobby Day and Rewarding Call Participation, 252 CALL Bull. 15 (2019).
The Universal Right to Access Legal Information: Authorities and Progress in a Digital Age, ASIL Int'l Legal Res. Informer (Summer/Winter 2019).
Update: Global Warming: A Research Guide to the U.S. Approach to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (June 2019).
Let's Teach Our Students Legal Technology: But What Should We Include?, AALL Spectrum 23 (Sept./Oct. 2018) (with Randy J. Diamond, Darin Fox, Kenneth Hirsh & Michael Robak).
Update: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (May 2017).
Update: Global Warming: A Research Guide to the U.S. Approach to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (Oct. 2014).
Update: A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (Aug. 2013).
Teaching Two Skills at Once: Strengthening Federal Legislative History and Treaty Interpretation Skills in an Advanced Legal Research Course in International Law, SSRN Working Paper (2012).
Chapter 7: Researching Outside of Illinois: The Laws of Indiana and Wisconsin, in Finding Illinois Law: A Guide for Non-Lawyers (2012).
Reflections on Teaching WestlawNext to Law Students: Teachable Moments, CALL Bull. (Winter 2012).
E-books and E-Readers, CALL Bull. (Spring 2012).
A Basic Guide to International Environmental Legal Research, GlobaLex, NYU Hauser Global Law School Program (May 2006).
The Cultural Lives of Capital Punishment: Comparative Perspectives, 34 Int'l J. Legal Info. 179 (2006) (book review).
Cost-Effective Canadian Legal Research: Finding Free Canadian Legal Materials on the Internet, Wis. L.J. (Dec. 29, 2005).
Commentaries on Arms Control Treaties, Vol. 1: The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, 33 Int'l J. Legal Info. 137 (2005) (book review).
Resolution and Prevention of Health Care Disputes: A Bibliography, with Prof. Josephine Gittler. Iowa City, Iowa: Conflict Management Institute, 2003.

Presentations

Presenter: "A Conversation with the Circuit Librarian of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals," Law Librarians Association of Wisconsin, Inc. (LLAW) (Oct. 2021).
Presenter: "Adaptive Leadership in Law Libraries," Mid-America Association of Law Libraries (MAALL) Annual Meeting (Fall 2021) and CALL CE/MLDC Spring Meeting (2022).
Presenter: "Work in Progress, Universal Right to Access Legal Information - Encryption Barriers and Progress in an AI Age," Chicagoland Junior Scholars Works in Progress Conference, Loyola University of Chicago Law School (Oct. 2, 2020) and Boulder Conference Pre-AALL Virtual Conference (Summer 2021).
Presenter: "Ignite: Legal Tech Innovation (Day 1)," Case Western University School of Law (July 2021).
Presenter: "Future of Law Libraries and Legal Information Virtual Roundtable," AALL Virtual Conference (July 2021).
Presenter: "Social Media and Technological Competence in a Digital Age," Federal Bar CLE Presentation (June 12, 2020).
Presenter: "Global Legal Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Where's the Beef?" Chicagoland Junior Scholars Works in Progress Conference, Loyola University of Chicago Law School (Sept. 27, 2019).
Presenter, FCIL-SIS Pre-Conference Program: "International Corruption Resources and Research" (July 2019).
Presenter of accepted paper: "The Impact of Technology on 21st Century Lawyering: A Need for Uniform Ethical Standards," Chicagoland Junior Scholars Works in Progress Conference, Loyola University of Chicago Law School (Oct. 5, 2018).
Presenter: "Mindfulness in Law Libraries," Mid-America Association of Law Libraries Annual Meeting (Oct. 12, 2018).
Co-Presenter: "Student Assessment: Tips and Tricks from the Trenches," Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (Jan. 2017).
Speaker: "Free Speech and Defamation in an Era of Social Media: An Analysis of Federal and Illinois Norms in the Context of Anonymous Online Defamers," Law Review Symposium (Apr. 15, 2016).
"Blog Aggregators and Feeds: A More Efficient Way to Manage News and Legal Information," FCIL-SIS Electronic Interest Group Meeting (July 2006).
Co-Presenter: "Foreign, Comparative, and International Law Collection Development," American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Annual Meeting (Summer 2006).
Presenter: "Canadian Legal Research," with Mary Sexton, MAALL/MALL Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA (Fall 2004).

Professional Activities and Memberships

American Association of Law Libraries, Member
- Awards Committee
  - Member (2011-2012)
  - Vice-Chair (2012-2013)
  - Chair (2013-2014)
- Foreign, Comparative and International Law, Special Interest Section
  - Webmaster (2005-2008)
  - Secretary/Treasurer (2008-2011)
  - Vice Chair/Chair-Elect (2011-2012)
  - FCIL-SIS Chair (2012-2013)
  - "Spirit of FCIL-SIS" Award (Summer 2007)
- Law Library Journal Editorial Board Member (2021-2023)
- Excellence in Community Engagement Award Jury (2020-2021)
- Economic Status of Law Librarians Committee Chair (2017-2018)
- Committee and Jury Chairs Member (2013-2014 & 2017-2018)
- Distinguished Lectureship Award Jury Member (2015-2016)
- Index to Foreign Legal Periodicals Committee Member (2013-2014)
- Council of SIS Chairs Member (2013-2014)
Chicago Association of Law Libraries, Member
- Chair, CALL "Committee on Committees" for the 2011-2016 Strategic Plan
- Co-Editor, "TechBuzz" in the CALL BULLETIN (2007-present)
- Vice President/President-Elect (2009-2010)
- President (2010-2011)
- Past President (2011-2012)
- Co-Chair and Member, Government Relations Committee (2005-2009)
- Member, Placement and Recruitment Committee (2012-2013)
- Co-Chair and Member, Continuing Education Committee (2013-present)
Law Librarians of Wisconsin, Member (2002-2005)
Mid-America Law Library Consortium, Member
- Vice President (2015-2017)
- President (2018-2020)
American Society of International Law, Member
- ASIL International Legal Research Interest Group Co-Chair (2018-2020)
American Bar Association, Member
- ABA Site Team Member for Law School Library Sabbatical Visits (2017 & 2021)
American Association of Law Schools, Member
Member of the Illinois Bar (inactive)