Calling All Law Students

[SarahLovesJS]

I thought I''d send out a special how are you doing?

Taking any cool classes?

 

[Person24]

Doing well! Although, none of my classes are that exciting, they are all bar classes . . .

Although, now that I am in my second semester of 2L year I suddenly find myself having some free time. It is very awkward feeling.

How is your semester?

 

[Octavia]

Haha, the joys of being a 2nd semester 3L -- only 13 credits, three of which are guided research (no class) and 3 of which are my AWESOME clinical doing environmental law. I''m also taking consumer protection, employment discrimination, and family law. All with very cool adjunct or visiting professors, woo hoo! I did inadvertently manage to avoid ever taking tax, which I''m sure I''ll regret come bar review time, but it always conflicted out of my schedule.

How about you, Sarah? Let us know how things are going!

 

[MsP]

Not a law student but taking some classes at the law school "for fun" as my advisor says...and I am, *ahem*, glad I''m a PhD student in engineering and not in law school. haha

 

[megumic]

Roar. It''s a pain! 2nd semester 2L year has been rough so far! Classes are better because they are not so terribly boring - Family Law, Evidence, Dispute Resolution and Law & Sexuality. But planning a wedding at the same time leaves no time for anything else! (Like getting in shape for the wedding, doing fun stuff, sleeping, baking, etc!)

Woof. I need some motivation

 

[sillyberry]

Oh, I''m SO over law school...

This quarter my main courses are Freedom of Expression, Social Norms and the Law, Marriage, and Supreme Court Theory and Practice. I''m also in a con law workshop and a small seminar held in a professor''s home covering crime in the city of Chicago.

I have no idea how I''m going to graduate...there are a whole lotta pages that must get written so they''ll let me walk across that stage in a few months. Ack!

 

[Octavia]

Oof, meg, that was me last year. If I have one piece of advice for any law student, it''s don''t get married until afterward!

 

[jjc]

Date: 2/2/2010 10:49:35 PM
Author: megumic
Roar. It's a pain! 2nd semester 2L year has been rough so far! But planning a wedding at the same time leaves no time for anything else! (Like getting in shape for the wedding, doing fun stuff, sleeping, baking, etc!)


Woof. I need some motivation

+100000000000000.

ETA - I was gonna wait until after I graduated to get married, but then there's the Bar to worry about...

 

[Person24]

I got married between semesters. I am assuming this semester seems sooooo much less stressful because I am not planning a wedding like I was last semester. If I can give any advice . . . let people help you. I took all the help I could take when it came to planning and everything worked out!

I know it might sound crazy but having law school to worry about left me no time to stress about the wedding. I just did what needed to be done for the wedding and had nightmares about Evidence and Corporations instead of wedding related disasters!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 2/2/2010 11:01:00 PM
Author: sillyberry
Oh, I''m SO over law school...


This quarter my main courses are Freedom of Expression, Social Norms and the Law, Marriage, and Supreme Court Theory and Practice. I''m also in a con law workshop and a small seminar held in a professor''s home covering crime in the city of Chicago.


I have no idea how I''m going to graduate...there are a whole lotta pages that must get written so they''ll let me walk across that stage in a few months. Ack!

Tell me about it - I have two major papers standing between me and graduation.

This quarter is truly awful. Legal Ethics, Corporate Law in Japan, and Copyright. Not cool.

 

[CNOS128]

I''m - oddly - enjoying Wills, Trust & Estates. I thought it was going to be horrible. First time in almost 3 years of law school that''s happened!

I also planned my wedding during 2nd semester of 2L. Craziness.

How are you doing, Sarah?

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Hello!!

You all are taking some interesting classes! I am in my second semester of my 1L year so I only got to choose one (but hey at least it''s one, right?). So my only "elective" is IP. I like IP a lot, so that''s cool. Otherwise I am taking Con Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, and this Legal Skills/Legal research class which is only worth 2 credits (but should be worth at least 3 because of all the work). I am still feeling a bit frustrated, overwhelmed, etc. But overall I think it''s going okay. I wasn''t too happy with my grades from last semester, but I met with all of my Professors regardless of whether I performed well or poorly on their exam and figured out what I can improve overall and discovered it was definitely my exam strategy that hurt me. My biggest worry right now is trying to find some kind of summer job! I know a paid one is unlikely, so I want good experience if that makes sense. Re wedding stuff: I have to say being married already has actually made the transition easier for me because it help me set a 9-5 schedule for myself, and it gives me another reason to get me work done, etc. But would I plan a wedding during law school? I personally would not want to, but I am still in the early/overwhelmed stage.

Only 2 more days left in the week!!!!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Wow, there are a few law students on PS! Hello there!

I''m doing a post-graduate diploma in Scots law. Slightly different programme here, you do an honours degree or equivalent in law then the one year diploma in legal practice.
I''m nearly at the end of it, so fingers crossed I find a job in a few months. I''m terrified of being unemployed, now it''s getting closer. I gave up a secure, really well paid job to go to law school and I feel like I can''t live off DH much longer. I need to find a traineeship really soon.

Ok, enough of my whining.

I love my classes in Wills, Trusts and Executries and Criminal Court Practice. I''m also very surprised how much I''m enjoying Conveyancing. We have some really great teachers.

Jen

 

[Octavia]

Ooh, Sarah, been there and done that on the 2-credit legal research class. I don''t envy you. My school also lets us take one elective during 1L second semester (I took environmental law) and it really is nice to have something you sort of want to take rather than HAVE to take. You''ll get through the rest, I promise!

Mrs Mitchell, I completely hear you on the unemployment fears. My pre-law school job wasn''t that lucrative, but it was pretty secure with great benefits, and it was a leap of faith to leave it. Now I just feel like I lept off a cliff and can''t stop the free-fall. I''m terrified about not finding a job, but even more scared about getting stuck in a job doing some kind of law that doesn''t interest me at all, just for the money. I kind of feel like I''m going to be miserable regardless of what happens. Sigh.

Enough of my whining...I''m actually helping with a REALLY important case in my clinical, which is great. And I don''t have to think about bar exam registration

for another month...

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

It is so scary, isn''t it? I think we just have to have faith - we''ve come this far because we''re dedicated, motivated and (hopefully) pretty good at this law stuff.

We''ll find jobs that we enjoy and we''ll do them well. Having gone into the freefall from the cliff, we have no choice!

 

[zoebartlett]

I''m not in law school nor looking to switch careers, but I love reading these threads. I admire people who study to be lawyers -- it seems SO hard, and I know I couldn''t do it! How does law school work, generally? Do you pick a "major" so to speak, an area of concentration, or does that come when it comes time to do a clerk ship (that''s like an internship, right?)? As you can tell, I''m clueless, but very interested in learning about how one goes from college student to lawyer.

 

[Octavia]

Zoe, in the US law is almost always a general degree -- there aren't usually "majors" within the program. Some schools might do this, but since the bar exam tests on many different areas of law, you have to have at least a little knowledge about all the big areas (torts, contracts, criminal, family, tax, employment, wills & estates, etc) in order to pass. First year is usually set in stone by the school and deals with all the foundation courses, and it's pretty much electives for second and third years, so you do have a chance to take classes in areas that interest you. I tried to take a broad range of different subjects, but my friend who wants to do tax took a LOT of tax-based classes.

For most people, the area of specialization comes when you get your first job. At a big firm, they basically assign you to an area where you're needed, and if you like that kind of work, it's a bonus. Smaller firms tend to specialize in just a few areas, so at one of those, you'd know going into it what kind of law the firm does. Clerkships are a type of job where you work for a judge, reading the papers both sides submit in each case, doing research, and making a recommendation to the judge on how she should decide certain issues. Internships, both during the semester and during the summer, are really helpful in deciding what kind of law to pursue (I've interned at a government agency, a state trial court, and a state supreme court) but in the end, it often depends on where you get offered a job. It's harder to switch areas of law after you've been practicing for several years because even though you're technically qualified, it's like learning from scratch all over again.

I'm sure it works differently in other countries, so people like Mrs Mitchell or Delster could probably chime in about how legal education works in their countries, but that's basically the system here. Hope that helps!

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I jumped ship after 1st semester of my 2L year (this past fall) but I want to wish all of you well! Law school is certainly tough, and I admire your dedication & desire to be attorneys- and the desire portion is definitely essential! It''s hard to push through classes and internships and research when you don''t feel passionately about being an attorney and don''t feel drawn toward the profession. I think that the legal world could use more qualified, dedicated, passionate professionals and fewer, "It''d be cool to be an attorney.." professionals (I was in the latter group

)

Keep rockin'' at those classes and start your outlines EAAAARLY

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Almost Friday!

Anyone doing any competitions or anything? I know most of you are 3Ls so I guess you aren''t, right? Looks like I am going to be doing a Client Counseling competition, I think it should be fun!

 

[purselover]

Date: 2/4/2010 1:43:24 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Almost Friday!

Anyone doing any competitions or anything? I know most of you are 3Ls so I guess you aren''t, right? Looks like I am going to be doing a Client Counseling competition, I think it should be fun!

Good luck! I''d be interested in hearing more about what your competition entails. Hope you don''t mind me popping in I''m not a law student myself but I am married to a 2L (who managed to plan our wedding last semester!)

 

[Octavia]

Date: 2/4/2010 1:43:24 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Almost Friday!


Anyone doing any competitions or anything? I know most of you are 3Ls so I guess you aren''t, right? Looks like I am going to be doing a Client Counseling competition, I think it should be fun!

I did one of these last year and it was very interesting. The professors who judged us generally had good feedback and advice, which was really helpful. One of the classes I took last year was based around mock client interaction sessions, which was helpful for the competition and for easing into some of the realities of lawyering (like crazy clients) without too much pressure. I think you will really enjoy it and hopefully get some useful stuff out of it. Good luck!

 

[sillyberry]

I''m doing our moot court competition, which means right now I should be reading the respondent''s brief and writing my reply brief...oh well.

I will say my proudest achievement in law school is never making an outline. And I''m on quarter 8 of 9 in school!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 2/3/2010 7:38:20 PM
Author: Octavia
Zoe, in the US law is almost always a general degree -- there aren''t usually ''majors'' within the program. Some schools might do this, but since the bar exam tests on many different areas of law, you have to have at least a little knowledge about all the big areas (torts, contracts, criminal, family, tax, employment, wills & estates, etc) in order to pass. First year is usually set in stone by the school and deals with all the foundation courses, and it''s pretty much electives for second and third years, so you do have a chance to take classes in areas that interest you. I tried to take a broad range of different subjects, but my friend who wants to do tax took a LOT of tax-based classes.


For most people, the area of specialization comes when you get your first job. At a big firm, they basically assign you to an area where you''re needed, and if you like that kind of work, it''s a bonus. Smaller firms tend to specialize in just a few areas, so at one of those, you''d know going into it what kind of law the firm does. Clerkships are a type of job where you work for a judge, reading the papers both sides submit in each case, doing research, and making a recommendation to the judge on how she should decide certain issues. Internships, both during the semester and during the summer, are really helpful in deciding what kind of law to pursue (I''ve interned at a government agency, a state trial court, and a state supreme court) but in the end, it often depends on where you get offered a job. It''s harder to switch areas of law after you''ve been practicing for several years because even though you''re technically qualified, it''s like learning from scratch all over again.


I''m sure it works differently in other countries, so people like Mrs Mitchell or Delster could probably chime in about how legal education works in their countries, but that''s basically the system here. Hope that helps!

Thanks so much for the description, Octavia! I had no idea what clerkships were, as you can tell (thinking they were the same as internships). Like I said, the law fascinates me, and I always love reading threads from PS law students.

 

[Steel]

I envy you your options.

Following my degree and sitting all the qualifing exams I have spent almost 6 years trying to get my trainee position so that I can qualify and finally called time on the search last year. I am still grieving for my career, which never was and hope to ''get over it'' soon.

Good luck and enjoy every moment.

 

[megumic]

Date: 2/4/2010 1:43:24 PM
Author: SarahLovesJS
Almost Friday!


Anyone doing any competitions or anything? I know most of you are 3Ls so I guess you aren''t, right? Looks like I am going to be doing a Client Counseling competition, I think it should be fun!

Good luck at your competition! I did a client counseling competition once. The winners brought props - like tissues and water, and mentioned client/attorney confidentiality first thing. Let us know how it goes!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Purselover: It''s a lot of acting. You get a problem shortly before-hand then go and meet with a "client" and have to conduct the meeting as you would with a real client. As Octavia mentioned they are told to be a bit off the wall since the point is to see how you handle difficult situations, but overall it sounds pretty fun to me! Your goal is to advise them to the best of your ability. I did the negotiation competition last fall and LOVED it, was so fun. It is very similar except it''s a mock negotiation instead and you''re working with another team that''s competing over a common issue. And of course I don''t mind! Spouses and loved ones and friends are also entangled in this law school "experience" lol. And kudos to him for planning the wedding, that''s awesome! P.S. I also

purses, I am a recovering purse addict seeing as a I out-priced myself and had to give up on it! Lol. My goal post law school is an Hermès Bolide(sp) bag. One can dream, right?

Octavia: That sounds great, I am excited! One of my current dreams is to start my own practice one day..so I think it would definitely be a good experience on that front!

Sillyberry: Good luck with moot court! All of my friends that were "mooting" as they called it were stuck at school in the snow earlier today since briefs were due by 5:00. Needless to say they weren''t happy when the board tried to push up the deadline due to the snow. That is awesome that you can do it without outlines..it''s funny I realized coming in that was kind of how I studied already anyway, but different things work for different people. I don''t use as many supplements as other people because I feel like they''re just not that helpful for me overall. I''ve heard one of the hardest parts of 1L year is figuring out what works for you if that makes sense. It sounds like you did that quickly. And yaaaay you''re almost done! How does it feel?

Zoe: Just wanted to say glad to see there are others on PS that love the law! I love the law, too. Every time I get frustrated and say I am going to quit (which I threaten more often than you would expect - okay so maybe it''s a little immature, but it makes me feel better to feel like I am in control of choosing to continue

), I just think about how much I love the law and there''s nothing else I could imagine doing right now.

Steel: I wanted to say thank you for posting and I am so sorry. I didn''t know this. I am sending you HUGE hugs. Don''t be too hard on yourself, definitely give yourself enough time to grieve.

megumic: Yaay, okay that''s good to hear! That was one of the things my partner came up with. I bought some tissues (green color box for a gender neutral feel) and a memo pad for them to take notes on if they''d like. We also are going to get a water bottle or two. They also said we could bring in decorations. My partner was thinking about like a plant or something soothing? I am excited!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Bump bump. How is your week so far?

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

My week has been good so far. Commercial leases yesterday, which I really enjoy, and a home study day today (which I really, really enjoyed lol).

My good news is that I have an interview for a job! I have to call tomorrow to set up a time and I know there are a few other candidates, but it''s a step closer.

Wish me luck!

Hope everyone else is having a good week / progressing with the job hunt.

Jen

 

[Octavia]

Good luck, Mrs Mitchell!! I hope you ace your interview

My week so far...well, I caught a nasty cold this weekend and was still feeling terrible yesterday, so I stayed home. I missed two classes, but one of my good friends is pregnant and sits right next to me in one of the classes, so I couldn''t risk giving her these germs. Really, it was altruism on my part.

I''m in the library now playing catch-up, though.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Mrs. M, I bet your interview is going to go great!

Sending you dust event though you won''t need it!

Octavia I hope your cold gets better.

Sending you dust..

I got lucky..I had a snow day today. Majorly needed it to! We didn''t make it to the next round in the competition and I was pretty crushed because he got really positive feedback and felt like we did awesome. Oh well.

It''s all good!